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Published: June 17, 2009, Richmond Tennis Association website

Hahn, Venkatasubramanian have busy summer working on games

by John Packett, RTA Staff Writer

Will Emily Hahn be returning to Douglas Freeman High School in September for her sophomore year?

Will Shyam Venkatasubramanian be back with his friends in the eighth grade at Moody Middle School?

The future of those two talented juniors will be determined in the next couple of months.

Hahn and Venkatasubramanian are attending an academy in Charlotte, N.C., this week under the direction of former touring pro Tim Wilkison. Venkatasubramanian has been there since last week, and Hahn joined him on Monday.

"We sent Shyam down there to try it for a week and he loved it," said Pat Anderson, who works with both of them. "They loved him. It's full-time training. They have nationally ranked kids there. Shyam has actually been playing with some UNC players, who work out there."

The idea is to give Hahn and Venkatasubramanian an opportunity to hone their considerable skills and prepare for the USTA Super Nationals next month. It also allows them to practice and train with other highly regarded juniors from around the country.

Venkatasubramanian goes to Ft. Lauderdale, Fla., for the boys 14-under Super Nationals, while Hahn will be in Virginia Beach for the girls 16-under Super Nationals. Both are scheduled to take part in the USTA Zonals for their age groups, too.

The two teen-agers will head to Europe in early August for more training and to check out facilities in France and Spain.

"Two of their kids [from Wilkison's academy] just got picked for the USTA training center," said Anderson. "That's kind of your goal. If you get picked, then they [USTA] cover everything. All your expenses and travel. That's what we're hoping will happen."

If they don't get tapped by the USTA, Anderson said, Venkatasubramanian, 13, and Hahn, 15, would likely work for a year either at Wilkinson's academy or in Europe, where they could practice and play International Tennis Federation junior tournaments.

"Right now, we're trying to figure out which place is best for them and give them a shot," Anderson said. "If they make it and do well, they might get picked by the USTA. If they don't, they'll still be way better and come back here and get the best Division I [college] scholarship they can."

Hahn suffered tightness in her shoulder preparing for the Mid-Atlantic #3 girls 14-under tournament at Willow Oaks Country Club last weekend and withdrew. After winning the Central Region high-school singles title, Hahn lost in the semifinals of the state Group AAA tournament.

Venkatasubramanian is listed No. 3 in the latest boys 14 MAS standings, while Hahn is ninth in the girls 16 category.

Both juniors are very talented but it takes much more than a blazing forehand or a big serve to reach the level they want to attain. It takes a strong mental approach, as well as many hours on the practice court against excellent competition to become a touring pro.

The second weekend of the Richmond Junior Tennis Circuit was held at Hermitage Country Club, and there was even a boys 8 division for this event. David Cousins beat Jack Emerson 6-1 in the youngest division final. Matches are only one set.

This circuit is for unranked juniors playing bantam or intermediate team matches and who want to get their feet wet in tournament play. The next one will be at the Atlantic Coast Athletic Club (formerly Briarwood) on Saturday.

Next week's event is scheduled for the Dominion Club. Contact Joe Cappellino at 804-360-0398. Entry fee is $16.

Girls 10 final: Sarah Fuhr d. Taylor Walker 6-5 (11-9).

Girls 12 final: Danielle Oster d. Carly Feyerabend 6-4.

Girls 14 final: Hannah Jenkins d. Carmen Zanetti 6-5 (7-1).

Boys 8 final: David Cousins d. Jack Emerson 6-1.

Boys 10 final: Tyler Shiflett d. Prakrit Shukla 6-2.

Boys 12 final: Logan Healy d. Jay Feyerabend 6-4.

Boys 14 final: Connor Healy d. Carter Key 6-2.

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