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Tennis

Backhand, mental toughness key for Hillsborough sophomore

By NANCY MORGAN
Published February 23, 2005

Dilip Kamath tried tennis at his mom's urging when he was 5. Last year as a freshman, he was unbeaten and reached the state high school championships.

Kamath, 15, hopes to continue winning for Hillsborough High as the season begins this month. Last year and this, the Lutz resident competed at the No. 3 slot.

"I've played continuously since I started with Dave Freiman in south Tampa," Kamath said. "I play an all-around game and think my forehand is my strength right now. What I find most challenging is being able to keep my mental focus and stay cool. If I can't stay cool, I can't focus."

Kamath has worked on his backhand, changing from a two-hander to a one-hand, thanks to teaching professional Francis Cooke at Cheval Country Club. Kamath can make shots more easily and has more variety.

"Dilip's biggest strength is his natural ability," Cooke said. "He has a lot of skill and ability, probably more than I've seen in a student. He needs to grow mentally as he continues to grow stronger in his game.

"Tennis is such a mental sport, and yet it's difficult to teach mental toughness, unlike how to hit a forehand or backhand. Dilip is fun to work with, is coachable and very talented. He is in control of his limits."

Kamath began entering state-sanctioned tournaments a couple of years ago and last year was ranked No. 50 in the boys 16-and-under. Heading into his second year in the 16s, Kamath hopes to improve his ranking.

"I would like to play tennis in college and know that to be a successful player I need mental toughness," Kamath said. "I also need to be in good condition and do some running off the court for that. I've been doing some weight training to improve my strength and to help keep from getting hurt."

Kamath admires Pete Sampras and aspires to emulate his game, from his all-around play to mental toughness.

In Kamath's last tournament, the Northdale at Northdale Tennis Club, he reached the boys 16 final before falling to Patrick Whitner of Bradenton.

"It was the first time I had played him and I used the first few games to try and read how he played," Kamath said. "After that, I tried to adapt my game. It was a close one, but I lost 6-7, 6-3, 6-7."

In a semifinal, top seed Kamath overcame No. 3 Bryan Beasley of Tampa to win 3-6, 6-4, 6-1.

"The Northdale tournament was a good one for Dilip," Cooke said. "He was down in the semi, had lost the first set and was behind in the second. He pulled it together and won the second and the third sets. In the final, he played a tough opponent, but hung in there and almost pulled that one out, too."

Now Kamath aims to focus on school and return to the state tournament.

JUNIOR RANKINGS: The most recent state rankings by USA Tennis Florida include 14 area boys and 14 girls. Danielle Collins is No. 1 in the girls 12 and under and Alexander Saltiel No. 1 in the boys 10.

Joining Collins in the girls 12 are Rebecca Bodine at No. 10, Amber Li No. 13, Julia Claire Jones No. 18 and Emily Dvorak No. 26. Blair Martin is No. 13 in the girls 10.

Alexander Cercone is No. 13 in the girls 14 and Lindsay Dvorak No. 16. In the girls 16, Alexis Dorr is No. 4, Megan Broderick No. 15, Jamie Mera No. 16 and Zoe Kent No. 22. Christina Liles is No. 8 in the 16 and No. 17 in the 18, along with Laura Gioia No. 21 and Yumi Hasegawa No. 29.

In the boys 12, Lionel Kogan is No. 9, Garrett Betsarakis No. 11, Alex Peckman No. 19, Kosuke Hasegawa No. 21 and Anthony Barrancotto No. 23. Joel Samaha is No. 2 in the boys 14 and Paul Polarczyk is No. 21.

Clint Bowles is No. 2 in the boys 16, Istvan Bolgar No. 3, Jeff Dadamo No. 5 and Matthew Broom No. 12. George Navas is No. 3 in the boys 18, Alex Vuckovic No. 4 and Bowles No. 9.

NET SHOTS: Lutz's Richard Warrener captured a second consecutive 60-and-over singles consolation win in the West Coast Super Senior Grand Prix at the Racquet Club of St. Petersburg last week. Earlier, Warrener won the 60 consolation at the super senior event at the St. Petersburg Tennis Center.

This week, Warrener is entered in the 60 singles draw of the Raymond James Super Senior Grand Prix, a USTA Category II national men's tournament. The tournament includes singles and doubles for 160 players in 55 to 90 age divisions. For more information, call tournament director Sam Vuille, 867-9105.

COMING UP: The Hunter's Green Adult Challenge is March 5-7 at Hunter's Green Tennis. Men's singles competition is in 30, 40, 50, 60 and open age divisions. Call Marta Jones, (813) 973-4220. ... The Northdale Rookie Tennis Classic is March5-6 at Northdale in Tampa. Boys and girls singles in 14, 12 and 10-and-under age divisions are offered. Call Bill Macom, (813) 962-0428, ext. 14. ... The George Pero Memorial Family Classic is March 12-14 at Cheval Golf and Country Club in Lutz. Call Francis Cooke, (813) 948-2282 before March 9.

News for this column may be faxed to Nancy Morgan, 727 796-5559; e-mailed to namorgan46@msn.com or sent to 710 Court St., Clearwater, FL 33756. Please include phone number.

[Last modified February 23, 2005, 00:35:16]