Nick Bollettieri Discovery Open
ongratulations to all participants of the Nick Bollettieri Discovery Open this past weekend. We enjoyed having the players as well as their families here at IMG Academy with us for an outstanding weekend of tennis!
One of the more notable matches of the event was when identical twin brothers Faris and Zane Khan of New Braunfels, Texas faced off for the Boys 11 title. Faris and Zane took the court and waged an intense battle, with Faris taking the match over his twin, 6-1, 3-6, 6-0. Additionally, Axel Nefve, the No. 2 player in the US in Boys 12s lived up to his ranking, and cruised to the Boys 13s title over Brazil's JP Fujiwara, 6-1, 6-1. Ozan Colak (Okemos, MI) won the Boys 9 title; 4-0,4-0, while Dennis Afansev (Leesburg, VA) took the Boys 15 title; 6-1; 6-1.
On the girls side, it was a successful weekend for the Fernandez sisters, (Montreal, QC, Canada), with Leylah taking the Girls 11 title, 6-2,6-1, and her younger sister Bianca, taking the Girls 9 title, 4-2,4-1. The most exciting final took place between South Florida's Emma DeCoste (Stuart, FL) and Julia Vulpio (Boca Raton, FL). DeCoste and Vulpio entered the match each ranked as a top-three player in the state of Florida for their respective classes, and their showdown did not disappoint. The two fought for every point over three sets, but ultimately Emma DeCoste walked away with the title by a score of 6-7, 6-3, 6-3. Brooke Lashway (Bradenton, FL) and Nandini Das (Bradenton, FL), competed twice this weekend, but Lashway came out on top in the Girls 15 final, 6-4, 6-4.
Although the participants were nothing short of competitive on the court, it was a pleasure to watch new friendships form amongst the participants from across the world while participating in the other weekend events. A morning session of fundamentals with Nick Bollettieri was a favorite, as well as a team equipment seminar with Ken Merritt of Prince, where participants received new string as well as grips. The participants were also given the opportunity to participate in fitness performance testing with Coach Cassiano Costa. Matthew Larsen age 13, (Australia) dominated the broad jump at 7’5”. Resources such as leadership sessions; on-court strategy and tactics lessons; and panel discussions on what it takes to be a champion were also provided. Each player and their parents were given access to the same resources that are available to IMG Academy student-athletes year-round, so that they can further develop their talents in the future.
Winners from each age bracket earned an invitation to return to IMG Academy for a week of tennis camp, where they will get an evaluation from Nick Bollettieri and other IMG Academy coaches. By attending the camp, participants will have the opportunity to earn a full academic and sport scholarship to IMG Academy. Thank you to all the participants and their families for coming out and spending weekend here with us at IMG Academy. See you next year!
Event Overview:
| NBDO Age Eligibilities (ITF Rules): | In order to enter the 9's division, you must be born in the year 2004 | ||||
| Entry Deadline: | Friday, May 17, 2013 at 11:59PM Eastern Standard Time | ||||
| Who Qualifies: | Players will be chosen based on resume, international experience and verifiable national rankings by the tournament committee | ||||
| Live Streaming: | Stay tuned for link to watch the 2013 Nick Bollettieri Discovery Open | ||||
| Format: | Singles only | ||||
| Rules: | ITF rules with best 2 out of 3 sets; 9's division to use green dot balls and play on full-size courts | ||||
| Prize: | Eight age group winners will receive a one-week tennis camp and evaluation from Nick Bollettieri and the other IMG Academy tennis staff. There will be then an opportunity to win a full scholarship to the IMG Academy academic year. Trophies for winners and runners-up | ||||
