The 2009 Girls' 18 National Championships…
It was a memorable run for our Berkeley Tennis Club. For three Augusts, our Club rose to its past prominence of hosting national level competitive tennis. The 2007, 2008, and 2009 USTA Girls’ 18 National Championships brought the nation’s finest young players to Berkeley and gave a reminder as to why we love the game. Under the uniquely beautiful setting of the BTC and the Claremont Resort & Spa, these three tournaments were hosted with the generosity, essential volunteering and detailed planning befitting a national championship. It will be the last one for the foreseeable future in Berkeley, but lasting memories were etched.
This year’s tournament saw Christina McHale win both the singles and doubles titles. McHale’s all-around game was too much for the counter punching Lauren Embry in the one-sided final the score being 6-0, 6-1. With injured number one seed Kristie Ahn upset in the round of 16, the most competitive match was between McHale and last year’s champion, Gail Brodsky in the semifinals. Brodsky was broken in the final game of the third set by McHale. The final score of the tense match was 6-3, 5-7, 6-4. McHale and Brodsky were clearly the class of the tournament with their court coverage, and consistent depth of shots. The doubles final was another matter, where it took McHale with partner Asia Muhammad three sets to capture the crown over Ahn and partner Courtney Dolehide 6-2, 3-6, 7-5. In winning the Maureen Connolly Brinker Award, McHale was also the first player to win both the singles and doubles titles since 2000. McHale and Brodsky both made it into the main singles draw of this year’s U.S. Open.
The Girls’ 18 Championships leaves the BTC for the Barnes Center in San Diego next year, but it has given us many special moments. We witnessed terrific young players, some of whom may go on to exceptional professional careers or will certainly be heard from in future tournaments. Each had a signature style, be it the cool resolve of 2007 Champion Ashlie Weinhold, the technical perfection and ferocity of Brodsky, or the graceful athleticism of this year’s champion, McHale. Coco Vandeweghe, last year’s finalist brought the biggest hitting the tournament has seen. The movement and lines of Muhammad on the court made it impossible for a photographer to capture a bad shot. Melanie Oudin, conqueror of Jelena Jankovic at this past Wimbledon, displayed her dogged mental toughness in 2007.
Over the past 3 years, the tournaments also saw the return of tennis great Billie Jean King to the BTC. Billie Jean gave a truly memorable and inspirational talk about what tennis meant to her and the opportunities opened up by her efforts in promoting women’s athletics in general. An engaging Patrick McEnroe treated the BTC audience to anecdotes of his career, his very famous brother, and his experiences in being the Captain of the U.S. Davis Cup team. During this year’s tournament, USTA head of elite player development, José Higueras gave interesting insights on his philosophy on teaching and coaching young players.
The success of the tournaments would not have been possible, of course, without the diligent preparation, execution, selfless volunteering and generous sponsorship by so many people. Andrea Norman, the Tournament Director chose to retire after this year, but her work in preparation is the single greatest reason why the hosting of the tournament these past three years has gone so smoothly. Her 17 years of experience, attention to detail, and love of the game made this tournament a model for how to run the event. Lynne Rolley was so instrumental in bringing the G18 to the BTC and inviting Billie Jean, Patrick and José to our Club to speak and inspire us.
BTC members and local tennis supporters stepped up when it came to volunteering time for all the Steering Committee tasks needed to make the tournament possible. Jen Pitzen of the National Tennis Championships, and BTC members Warren Daane, Jim Landes and Veronica El Baze made great contributions in fund-raising efforts in June of 2007, 2008 and 2009. The preparation of the tournament site was ably executed by BTC Staff led by Geoff Hayes. Kay and John Lyman were indispensable with their tireless behind the scenes energy. The BTC Board of Directors and the BTC Foundation deserve credit for their support and guidance of this event. Special thanks goes to the Claremont Resort & Spa for its essential co-hosting and fund-raising roles during the tournament, and USTA Norcal for its part in sponsorship and promotion.
Simply stated, the finest in U.S. Junior tennis came to our Club to play for the nation’s championship. Committed strokes, tenacity, concentration under pressure, graceful athleticism, and youthful resolve were on abundant display during the exciting and dramatic tennis that graced our courts. Champions were crowned, and tennis greats visited and offered advice and shared insights. Local kids (YTA), not normally exposed to our sport, got a taste of what competitive tennis was about. And surely, members and local spectators witnessed tennis that isn’t normally seen at the BTC.
It was a memorable run.
