THE LAUNCHING OF THE TRIBE CHALLENGE 2011
We said last year that the Tennis Tribe would have another tournament, and the day has come…
I’m thrilled just thinking of the potential clashes that we are going to see when on June 4th the mighty warriors step onto the courts.
Paying attention to the details to be improved since our experience last year, this time I decided to try a hybrid formula: While keeping the format of two groups for the round robin stage, this time all matches will be held to one –set, winner takes all.
Group Rafa and Group Nole will have three contenders that will play against each other in the morning. After a lunch break, tennis will resume with the second of each group battling for 3rd place, followed up by the Grand Finale with the two top players of each division.
The idea behind the change in the scoring had to do with the intention to avoid delays and have some time to socialize with those we don’t see that often.
We are going to define where the tournament will be held in the next couple of days, depending on court availability and surface of choice.
The organization will provide again balls for all matches and trophies for Champion, Runner-up and 3rd place.
ABOUT THE PLAYERS
We have some vets from last year war zone and some new comers, action will be bloody, hot, hot, hot!!
OUSSAMA “ROGER FEDERER” AZIZI
Is back this year, now more solid, stronger and steadier than ever before. He had shown a great evolution again this year, with renewed confidence in his game. “Roger” has a formidable first serve and heavy weaponry from the back of the court. A true wizard, the right hand Moroccan can swing the racket as a true orchestra director, with subtle changes of pace and angles that can drive crazy his opponents. Watch out for this guy, he’s thirsty and he will take no prisoners.
MAURICIO CASTRO “THE BOMBARDIER”
Another veteran from last year’s tournament, Mauricio is a seasoned player from the southern corner of the American continent. Regaining his past form since last year, Mauricio has been a consistent challenger in the Top Gun league at CDL and won several tournaments there. He has also shown a superb performance in the Provincial Tournaments for Vets +40, staying in the 5th or 6th position in the ranking most of the year.
A classic clay court player, the Chilean born has recently switched racquets for a modern and lethal Head Speed (Same as current ATP Tour #2 Novak Djokovic) The new frame has added more bite to his spin and his now upgraded portfolio of shots looks and feels more dangerous. His experience in the Top Gun league will definitely serve him well in this new format.
Mauricio will step on the gas and won’t stop until he gets the winners’ trophy… be ready to leave your skin on the court if you dare to challenge him.
DON BUI “THE CHAMALEON”
Last year I heard about Don thru another friend of mine. He talked and talked about him for hours. Could not believe a word… that the guy would chase the ball to the end of the Earth, that he was lighting bolt fast, that he was the smartest guy on the court and so on… for hours.
I didn’t have the chance to actually face this guy until after a couple of months… And let me tell you this… It was all true!!
As opposed to Oussama and Mauricio, who always try to impose their raw power, Don outlast his opponents by making them hit on the run and in very tight situations. He can serve really well but he returns even better. A Michael Chang type of player, Don is very, …very fast. His short swing can alter the pace and course of the ball without you noticing until too late. I love his “McEnroesque” forehand. More than a chameleon, if you ask me… The definitive ninja assassin, silent… and deadly.
LLOYD “THE LIONHEART’ MANGAHAS
Lloyd is a very special guy. I met him during a tournament and end-up warming up together while waiting for our matches. We have enjoyed some good quality tennis practices and matches. Lloyd is one of the most complete players in the draw. He can serve flat, slice or add a devastating kick to his serve with an ample range of speeds. He has ground strokes yet not powerful but full of speed and placement and is able to work out on the attack with an artistic touch. But what amazes me the most is his guts… he has gone thru a kidney transplant, and let me tell you; when we hit the ball for the last time prior to the surgery, he had no energy. He could barely stay in a 6 balls rally. A few months later we were back on the courts… and boy, the ball was flying!! I’ve known him for a number of years, still is a long way back to the form he had, but with the heart this kid has… He can go all the way to the winners’ circle.
TEMO “IRON MAN” CHALASANI
Temo is a great character on and off the court. This guy loves to play tennis and you can see that in his face when he enters the arena. And he loves challenges. Last year he came back from a first match loss in the round-robin stage, which included an injury… all the way to the final. Can he deliver again such performance? We’ll know in a few days. But let me say this. Of all the guys in the draw, the most difficult game to read is Temo’s. He allows his opponents no rhythm by changing the effect and pace of the ball all the time. And when you go for his backhand… well, be my guest and just try it… you will be witness of an unorthodox two-wrists shot that will surprise you quite a bit.
Temo is fast, out-runs most of the guys I’ve ever faced and never surrenders, … never. If you are the type of player that needs volume of play to caliber your shots, you better start re-thinking your strategy, ‘cause you are not going to win that way, guaranteed. Not against “Iron Man”… no, sir… not against the man.
BEFORE MILOS RAONIC, THERE WAS…
FRANCIS “STEFAN EDBERG” DEMERS
What a player to see, what a doubles partner to have on this side of the net, and what a contender to battle on the opposite side…
With a pretty complete game, in the Richard Gasquet fashion, Francis owns one of the most powerful serves out there. Before you had to pray for him to have a bad day with his first serve and then you had a decent chance on his second serve. Not anymore. A few years ago Francis’ serve exploded and became virtually impossible to break. If he is confident, you will have to work your way out and try to reach a tiebreak… He also has dazzling ground strokes: a neat and low cross-court forehand (my personal favorite), and a very well disguised one-hand classic backhand down the line.
With his coolness and suave demeanor, Francis is the image of the modern and sophisticated “bon vivant”. And like Stefan, a true gentleman.
Stay tuned for more updates in the days to come.
IRON GAUCHO
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