The World’s Best Beach Tennis Players Shine on Long Beach for Nationals

SUN SAND AND SPORT! That’s one of the Beach Tennis’ mottos. On Saturday-Sunday, Sept. 4-5, the world’s best beach tennis converged on Long Beach, N.Y. to compete in the $10,000 Beach Tennis National Championships. This tournament was the first National tournament held in the United States that was sanctioned by the new governing body of Beach Tennis USA, the ITF (International Tennis Federation).

The best players from the United States, Italy, Brazil, Greece, Aruba, Bermuda, Holland, Czech Republic and more, as well as hundreds of beach-goers, descended on Long Beach to watch the best in the world compete. In addition to the highly anticipated pro division play, there was also an amateur tournament, a mixed-doubles tournament, and a junior tournament which ensured everyone who wanted to take part in the fun and give the sport a try could.

And who wouldn’t want to give this a try with the setup that was out in Long Beach? Along the beach was a 60-ft. tent fully equipped with everything from food and drinks, to a player’s lounge with couches and tables. The beach tennis girls were of course on-hand as well. Also, seating was setup on all ends of the main courts. Music was played by a DJ throughout to further liven the experience and two announcers brought fans the play by play of the action on the courts.

On Saturday, winds of the remnants of Hurricane Earl were swirling, but Pro Division action got underway. Pool play started things out. There were eight pools of four teams each on the men’s side, with the top two teams from each pool advancing. Three of those teams that advanced were American and the rest were comprised of international players. Three American teams advanced through pool play and to the round of 16 which was a big accomplishment in this international competition—the teams of Chris Henderson & Phil Whitesell, Devin Wakeford & Stephen Sayoc, and David Sickmen & Mike Cochrane.

Women’s action pool play was also completed on Saturday, with the top two teams from the pools advancing from Saturday to Sunday. The advancing American teams were Nadia Johnston & Nicole Melch, Ashley Hornishy & Lisa Goldberg, and Jennifer Petersen & Irene.

On Sunday, with the weather perfect and the crowds even larger than the previous day, everyone was ready for the big finale of the tournament. Matches were played and the tournaments were completed at all levels. The day concluded with the main event … the Men’s Pro Divisional Final.

With all of the American teams having been knocked out by the seeded teams from Italy, the final was played between the top two seeded teams. The level of play was extremely high, and the competition was fierce. In the end, Matteo Marighela & Alex Mingozzi from Italy won the Beach Tennis Championship by defeating fellow Italian countrymen, Michelle Cappelletti & Alessandro Calbucci, 6-4, 6-7 (4), 6-2. This match showed all in attendance just how Beach Tennis should be played at its highest level.

In the Women’s Pro Division, Simona Bonnadonna & Joana Cortez defeated Federica Bacchetta & Veronica Visani 7-5, 3-6, 6-to take home the women’s crown.

Earlier in the day …
In the Mixed-Pro Division … Niccolo Strano & Giorgia Pennetta defeated Bertrand Coulet & Maria Buuts 9-5.

In the Amateur Division … Anthony Chan & John Bonnet defeated David Mate & Michael Dieber, 2-6, 7-6 (4), 7-5.

In the Junior Division … Alegrea Hanlon & Rachel Gastaldo defeated Ben Lee & Robby Altheim,  9-8, (7-3) tie-breaker.

A great time was had by all, and to conclude the festivities, all the players from around the world enjoyed a Players Party in Long Beach. Beach Tennis has become a huge international sport and it’s growing fast across the U.S. Next summer, we hope you join us for the Long Island Tennis Magazine Challenge events, as well as the 2011 Nationals which will again be played in Long Beach, N.Y.

For more information, visit www.beachtennisusa.net.