|
LaGrange dad, son nab title at Family Classic
By Sean T. McMann • Poughkeepsie Journal • August 29, 2009
 |
|
LaGrange's Sean
Gorwara and his father, Simon pose with their award after
winning the northeastern championship of the Pilot Pen Tennis
Family Classic's 12-and-under Father/Son division in New Haven,
Conn.
(Courtesy photo) |
In a tennis score, love is the term used to represent zero.
Ironically, it was love -that between a father and his son - that helped a duo from LaGrange win a tennis title late Thursday.
Simon Gorwara and his son, Sean, capped a successful summer by capturing the northeastern championship of the Pilot Pen Tennis Family Classic's 12-and-under Father/Son division in New Haven, Conn.
"It was awesome," said Simon Gorwara, a cardiologist with the Hudson Valley Heart Center. "I've had some big moments in my life, but this one is up there.
"I think part of it was being there and doing it with my son, which was very special."
In Thursday's finals, the Gorwaras defeated the tandem of Brad and Blake Norton from Stratford, Conn., 6-2, 6-2, to claim the title at the Connecticut Tennis Center at Yale University.
"We were a little nervous going in; they'd really crushed the opposition in the other half of the draw," Simon Gorwara said. "We were happy to come out of it. The other team was very gracious. It was competitive, but it was kept friendly as well. It was a great tournament."
And a large one.
Some 4,500 players from about 100 clubs representing eight states competed in several categories. The Gorwaras began their march toward New Haven in June, playing in qualifying rounds at Cross Court Tennis Club in Wappingers Falls.
It was the Gorwaras' first foray into the tournament, now in its ninth year.
"As soon as we heard about it, we thought it would be a good experience for us," the elder Gorwara said. "We were excited to win the local (event), but we didn't expect to go in and win the whole thing."
Some tough opponents
On July 26, the Gorwaras played several rounds to advance to Thursday's championship round.
"I was thinking maybe we were going to lose because there are some really good players," said 12-year-old Sean Gorwara, "but maybe some of the kids were not as strong and we won."
The younger Gorwara, who's been playing tennis for half his life, said shaking hands with pro standouts like Amelie Mauresmo and Sam Querrey, both ranked in the top 25 in the world, was one of the biggest highlights of the entire experience.
He said playing alongside his father throughout the title run taught him about both tennis and life.
"I learned that you can beat better players and just keep your cool," said Sean Gorwara, adding he'd "like to be professional" some day.
Both father and son said they'd like to take part in next year's Family Classic, likely in the Father/Son 14-and-under competition.
This year's experience -from winning on the court to sharing the excitement with family members off it -was one Simon Gorwara said he and his son won't forget.
"It was something we'll have memories of for a long time."
Reach Sean T. McMann at smcmann@poughkeepsiejournal.com or 845-437-4826.
Read article at Poughkeepsie Journal on-line!!
|
The National Tennis Rating Program (NTRP) 4.0 team from Cross Court
consists of 13 women from a variety of backgrounds in terms of age and
experience - both on the court and off. But together, they have formed a
juggernaut on the court. That dominance has earned this team a trip to
the national tournament in Tucson, Ariz., later this month.
