Tracy has now won the 4.0 playoffs for the 3rd time over the 6 years since Gladiator Tennis started in St. Louis in 2015. She also won it last year and in 2016.
Tracy's 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!
Lisa was one of the founding players in the STL league in 2015, and also helped start Gladiator Tennis in Delray Beach last winter. She defeated Anna Chyu in a close final, 6-3,7-6 for her first championship title.
Lisa's Story: I played tennis from about age 12-16 at a pretty competitive level, mostly playing and winning local tournaments and I even made to State Championships in Missouri. I stopped playing once I got moved up to play with adults and then I just became a normal teenager with other things on my mind. I played a little recreationally as an adult but just with friends and family on and off. Then about 10 years ago my son wanted to try out for tennis in High school so I got him some lessons, and while I watched him play, I decided I had to take it back up. I missed competitive tennis so much. I started playing USTA 3.0 at a club in St. Louis and I was hooked and eventually moved up to 3.5 in a couple years.
I still play USTA tennis in St Louis, MO on a 3.5 team, and I play Division 3 tennis and Claymates in Florida in the winter. I started Gladiator when it first came to St. Louis and haven’t stopped. I have played singles, doubles and mixed doubles leagues in gladiator. In Delray beach last winter I helped Steve start a league for gladiator singles for women 3.0-4.0 range. I was so happy to start this league since most of the leagues in Florida are for doubles. We had a blast and I hope to keep growing this league in south florida.
What I specifically like about Gladiator Tennis is meeting all new people to play with, not the same ones I see at USTA and WTT weekly. Thanks for all the fun times Gladiator Tennis!
Jamie joined the league this year and earned an 8-3 regular season record. She played through a very challenging playoff draw, winning both her semfinal and final in 3rd set tiebreakers. Congratulations Jamie!
Jamie's Story: I taught myself how to play tennis growing up and managed to make the high school varsity team in Nebraska. After high school I tossed her racquet in the garage and focused on beer and tacos. After a decade-long hiatus, I dusted off the racquet and the cobwebs off my forehand. I played for fun in leagues in Nebraska for several years before moving to St. Louis and joining Gladiator Tennis. It was a frustrating first season full of injury and hot mess, but I still played okay.
Mariana got back in the game this year and joined an growing 2.5 group. She was able to move up to 3.0 for a season before finishing out the year in the 2.5 playoffs. Congratulations for a great start in the league, Mariana!
Mariana's Story: I recently fell back in love with tennis and I consider myself an emerging player. Does anybody have a second serve they want to sell?
After a 7-1 regular season in 2020, Danny was a favorite to repeat as 4.5 champion for the 2nd consecutive year. But in a draw full of hungry gladiators, repeating as champion was a challenge every step of the way. His was nearly taken out in the Round of 16 by Paul Reiss, but he prevailed in a 3rd set tiebreak 6-4,6-7,10-4. After an easier quarterfinal, Danny pulled through another 3rd set tiebreak against Kevin Bayer 6-2,5-7,10-5. Kyle Hurtgen stood in his way for the final, and in a back and forth struggle, Danny won 7-5,3-6,6-3.
Danny's Story: I am a St. Louis native. I played juniors and high school tennis in the area before moving to Tennessee for school. I moved back in June of 2019 and got back in to tennis almost immediately. Gladiator was an excellent reintroduction to competitive tennis!
Jacob entered the playoffs as the #1 seed, on the strength of a 10-4 regular season record. After a close 2nd set in his 1st round win against Matt Stanek, Jacob had to defeat his 2 biggest regular season rivals in the semis and finals. Shawn Young had beaten Jacob in all 3 regular season meetings without losing a set, but Jacob was somehow able to turn the tables and defeated Shawn when it counted most in the semis, 6-4,6-1. In the final, Jacob met Brandon Johnson who had taken him to 3 sets in all 3 of their regular season meetings. They went three sets for the final also, and Jacob came out on top 6-7,6-1,6-1.
Jacob's Story: I started playing tennis when I was young and all the way through high school. I started playing again almost 15 years later when I became a high school coach and quickly fell back in love with playing. Now I take advantage of almost every opportunity that I can to get on a court and really enjoy every experience I get.
Brian has played in all 18 seasons of play, since Gladiator Tennis began in 2015. It's nice to see one of the pillars of the league finish on top - congratulations Brian!
Brian's Story: I grew up in St. Charles. I started playing tennis in high school and joined the high school tennis team. This is where I found my passion for the sport. I started Gladiator tennis when it first came to St. Louis in 2015, and I have played in the league every year since. The league has been a blast every year, a great way to get exercise and meet of great people that I would have otherwise never met. I am looking forward to playing again next season!
Nojan completed his 2nd year in the league with a 7-7 regular season record, then straight set wins in the playoff semis and finals to claim his first champion title. Congratulations Nojan!
Nojan's Story: I started playing tennis in high school slowly improving year over year. However, I stepped away from tennis when I went to Chicago for school because there was no college tennis team or club in my area. Fast-forwarding a few years I came back to St. Louis and started playing again with some high school friends one of whom introduced me to Gladiator! Gladiator has been a wonderful reintroduction to competitive tennis, and I have enjoyed playing against everyone thus far! Great organization and a great group of people to play this wonderful sport with!
Matt has proven that he knows how to win when it's close - all 8 matches he played this season were tightly contested, but he came out on top each time. An undefeated record so far for this 1st year player. Moving up to 3.0 in 2021 will put that record to the test!
Matt's Story: I started playing tennis back in March or so of this year. During quarantine I was looking for ways to spend time outside safely and starting playing tennis as result. After I had a little bit of playing time I decided to join some different leagues, including Gladiator. Gladiator gave me opportunity to not only play some of my first competitive matches but to also meet some incredible people in the St. Louis community. Thankful for the opportunity and looking forward to playing in future seasons.
