The Gladiator of the Year award is earned by 1 player each year, based on playing performance plus other contributions that strengthen the league for all players. Jay finished 1st overall in points accumulated over all 3 seasons for the 4.5 Men's league, plus referred 6 players into the league. Referring new players is the primary way the league is growing right now, so thanks to Jay and more than a dozen other players who spread the word about the league to keep it growing!
Jay's tennis story: First, I would like to take this opportunity to thank Gladiator Tennis for organizing this for St. Louis. It's nice to have someone dedicated to providing fun and competitive tennis leagues for us, at all skill levels. I'm just happy to be a part of it
In terms of myself, it all started in high school. At my school, in order to make the honor roll each semester, we had to participate in extra-curricular activities, not just have good grades. My first sport, bowling (yes, I consider it a sport!), was during the fall semester. But I needed something for the spring semester. So I decided to sign up for the tennis team - because they did not make any cuts. So there were over 70 people on the team! We would meet every day after school with the coaches and talk about tennis. Then we would go over to the courts and watch all the "good" players actually play. Given that the team was in the midst of winning 5 state championships in a row, it was quite the team to watch! But it was also motivating to try to be one of those players who got to play in the starting lineup. So I started taking lessons after my sophomore year. Given the level of talent and influence of the team members, they really helped me improve to the point that I was able to play in high school matches, then walk-on to St. Louis University's varsity team, where after my eligibility was up, got to serve as an assistant head coach for a while. Needless to say, I've been lucky to be surrounded by some good people in the tennis community and had some great experiences.
After graduation, real life got in the way, so I took a long break from tennis. But once I got the tennis bug back, I was glad to find tennis leagues like Gladiator Tennis to participate in. I do my best to support grassroots tennis efforts here in St. Louis and love to see it grow. My 4 year old son has started playing tennis, and as my fatherly duty, I plan to burn him out by age 7. (Kidding!) My wife also has the tennis bug, and was part of the first 2.5 women's division in Gladiator tennis last season. And I hope to see the leagues continue to grow here. I've made a lot of good tennis friends through this, and can't wait to see you on the courts next season!
The 4.0 division on the women's side of the league was very competitive in 2016, with quite a few players in contention to win. Tracy had a 10-8 regular season record, but managed to accumulate the most points among all 4.0 players to earn the #1 seed for the tournament. She proved that her seeding was legit by cruising through the draw without losing a set.
Tracy's tennis story: I started playing tennis HS because the head coach of girl's basketball was also the head coach of tennis. I've always been pretty quick so he thought the sport would translate well for me as an athlete. Although I hated it my freshmen year and wasn't the greatest, I stuck with it because I'm so competitive. I became the most improved player on the team and competed at the state level by my junior year. Tennis became my second love to the sport I'd been playing since 4th grade (basketball).
I joined the Army and unfortunately/fortunately whenever I returned from deployments basketball season had passed and my only college option was tennis. I played for Maryville University in St. Louis as their #1 S/D player by my Graduate year and also became the first athlete to earn the Athletic Director's Award.
I heard about Gladiator tennis from a fellow player that I used to just hit around with from time to time. Gladiator tennis has been awesome for me because of the flexibility of scheduling matches and the competition helps make me a better player. I coach 3 sports and teach at the HS level including boys tennis. My love for tennis has only grown over the years and I am thankful for Gladiator tennis because it has been a big part of that. ...this is definitely the best option for me and the most affordable!
There was nothing easy about Vicki's path to becoming 3.5 champion. She defeated the #4 and $1 seeds in closely contested matches to set up a final match with #3 Mary Strouth. They went back and forth before Vicki emerged the winner 6-1,1-6,6-4.
Vicki's tennis story: At an early age, I wanted to play tennis, but ever had anyone to hit with. As soon as I owned a racket, I would go to the courts nearby to hit against the wall. I was a multi-sport athlete in High School. Then in college, I took tennis as an elective. I truly enjoyed it because I was finally able to play with other players. After that I would play pick up tennis at the local parks. I arrived in St. Louis in 2005 and learned the sport was big in this area. I started playing competitive USTA in 2008. I'm always looking to enter tournaments when my schedule allows it because I love the competitiveness and challenges that tournaments bring to the game.
I learned of the Gladiator league by searching the internet in 2015. I saw it was active in the Chicago area and that a league would be starting in St. Louis. I wanted to be a part of its induction, so when offered, I joined. I enjoy the flexibility of the league in setting match times and the different variations of playing styles of my opponents.
This was Paul's 2nd year playing Gladiator Tennis. The 3..0 draw was full of evenly matched players, and it was anyone's guess who would win. After losing to eventual champion Trey Shaffer the year before, Paul was primed to go further this year. His path to victory was difficult, meeting John Mcelroy in the first round. They had each beaten each other in the regular season, but Paul came out on top in their semifinal match. Paul had already beaten his finals opponent Chad Forinash, but it was close and was not supposed to be easy. Paulprevailed in a close 3 setter for the title - 6-2,3-6,6-2.
Paul's tennis story:My tennis 'career' began 44 years ago when a girl friend bought me a tennis racket for my 22nd birthday. I had never played tennis before so I took a lesson and quickly decided that I loved the game. For many years I only played socially or with one of my sons, About 10 years ago I started playing USTA and began to learn how to play competitively. I found that I loved the team camaraderie and the competition. In USTA I exclusively play doubles and wanted more opportunity to play singles. Last year I learned about Gladiator Tennis and really enjoyed the format and opportunity to play against new opponents. I have had to learn that the strategy for singles is very different from doubles. I have had to learn how to structure points and be patient to find opportunities to win points. I plan to continue to play Gladiator Tennis as long as I can because, win or lose, tennis is a great sport and it keeps me motivated to stay in good shape.
JJim got back in the game of tennis this year and put the pedal to the medal all the way. Jim had a 9-2 record through the regular season, then blasted through the 4.0 draw, losing a total of 13 games over 4 rounds. He is definitely ready for our top level in 2017.
Kris' tennis story: I grew up playing competitive youth tennis throughout the state of Florida. I stopped playing tennis in my senior year of high school as I decided I did not want to play tennis in college. As I tend to not do anything half-way, I stopped playing tennis all together up until April of this year.
I was getting tired of the gym and running routine so I started seeking better ways to exercise, be active and add a little competition to the mix. After not picking up a racket for 20 years, I thought I would give tennis another try. As I began my quest to find people to play tennis with, I found the Gladiator League through Racketman.
I am really enjoying playing again and look forward to more seasons with the Gladiator League. It is a great way to find lots of different people to play and getting to hit against many different playing styles. Everyone is very friendly and it has been a great fit for me. Looking forward to playing next year.
Andy entered Gladiator Tennis this summer at the 3.0 level and lost his first match, then went on to win the division and move up to 3.5. At 3.5, he had a respectable 3-3 record, but was not on anyone's radar entering the tournament. That changed after he defeated #1 seed Jim Schwartz in the quarterfinals. Next up was Chip Brewer in the semifinals, and the two of them played one of the epic matches of the tournament. Andy prevailed in a comeback win, 4-6,6-3, 7-6 (10-3). Andy defeated #2 Dwayne Upson in the final to claim the 3.5 title. Not bad for his first year in the league!
Andy's tennis story:I started playing tennis with my mom as a kid. I often participated in clinics and camps. I was fortunate enough to receive a lesson or two through high school, where I played JV Freshman and Sophomore year (singles) and Varsity doubles my junior year. My senior year my High School team was so stacked (won state every year I was there) that I quit the team due to reduced playing times and played lacrosse.
20 years later, this spring, I was in Cancun with my friend, who is also in Gladiator Tennis, and I challenged him to a friendly tennis match. He had been playing for a couple years. He beat me easily, and my pride was tarnished. Since I had just quit playing ice hockey, I decided that picking up tennis again would make a good fit. The player who beat me referred me to Gladiator, so I joined the summer 3.0 league, and then played in the fall 3.5 league. I've been having a blast and couldn't be more happy about returning to tennis.
This was Paul's 2nd year playing Gladiator Tennis. The 3..0 draw was full of evenly matched players, and it was anyone's guess who would win. After losing to eventual champion Trey Shaffer the year before, Paul was primed to go further this year. His path to victory was difficult, meeting John Mcelroy in the first round. They had each beaten each other in the regular season, but Paul came out on top in their semifinal match. Paul had already beaten his finals opponent Chad Forinash, but it was close and was not supposed to be easy. Paulprevailed in a close 3 setter for the title - 6-2,3-6,6-2.
Paul's tennis story:My tennis 'career' began 44 years ago when a girl friend bought me a tennis racket for my 22nd birthday. I had never played tennis before so I took a lesson and quickly decided that I loved the game. For many years I only played socially or with one of my sons, About 10 years ago I started playing USTA and began to learn how to play competitively. I found that I loved the team camaraderie and the competition. In USTA I exclusively play doubles and wanted more opportunity to play singles. Last year I learned about Gladiator Tennis and really enjoyed the format and opportunity to play against new opponents. I have had to learn that the strategy for singles is very different from doubles. I have had to learn how to structure points and be patient to find opportunities to win points. I plan to continue to play Gladiator Tennis as long as I can because, win or lose, tennis is a great sport and it keeps me motivated to stay in good shape.
