Long Island Tennis Magazine Challenge’s Second Leg Heats Up in Long Beach!

More than 60 players of all levels came out to compete in the second leg of the Long Island Tennis Magazine Challenge in Long Beach this past Sunday. Top-level beach tennis was on display in the pro division, while amateur players came out to improve their skills and try out this summer’s hottest sport.

Early Sunday morning, the music played from the boardwalk and that signified it was time to have some fun in the sand. With temperatures in the low 90s, players in all tournament levels were using the ocean to cool off between matches and trying to keep their bodies fresh for the later rounds. Energy drinks, water and food were plentiful.

The Men’s Pro Division had some real battles in pool play, but on this day, the best was saved for last. The championship match went the distance and truly tested the endurance of the four players involved who had already been out on the beach for almost six hours. In the end, it was Whitney "The Sandman" Kraft, along with his partner, Stephen Sayoc, defeating Mark Parsons and Bob Considine in a three-set final, 6-4, 1-6, 7-5. Third place for the second straight tournament went to Long Island Tennis Magazine’s David "Iceman" Sickmen and Sportime Roslyn’s Jared "Maverick" Rada, while Anthony Chan and Joe Laskowski finished fourth.

On the women’s side in the Pro Division, defending champions Nadia Johnston and Nicole Melch defeated Linda Tempelfelde and Anastasiya Shevchenko in the finals. Johnston and Melch have now won the first two legs of this summer’s Long Island Tennis Magazine Challenge and are halfway to sweeping the challenge. Nadia and Nicole also have their sights set on the National Championships in September where they will look to avenge their loss in last years final.

A great time was had by all, as the participants and those watching enjoyed a great day at the beach.

There are two more legs to the Long Island Tennis Magazine Challenge played in Long Beach this summer. The next tournament is July 17-18 and that will be followed by another weekend event, Aug. 7-8. The National Championships will then be held over Labor Day Weekend, Sept. 4-5, where the best teams from around the world will flock to Long Island.

For more information or to sign up for this summer’s Long Island Tennis Magazine Challenge, go to beachtennisusa.net.

Credit all photos to: Kenneth B. Goldberg