Jesse Levine returns a fast baseline shot from Jeff Dadamo.

Jeff Dadamo on the baseline during the first set of the Singles championship.

Jeff Dadamo serves during the second set.

Jesse Levine slides to reach a hard baseline shot from Jeff Dadamo at the end of the first set.

Jesse Levine accepts the championship check from presenting sponsor Shaye Rowe of Audi of Melbourne as ball boy Patrick Baney looks on.

Kajeri Genna of Genna Jewelers presents Jesse Levine with a piece of custom jewelry to commemorate his win at the first annual men’s tournament.

Left to right back row: Holly Baney (MIMA Foundation Director & Tournament Director), Murray Lilley (Kiwi Tennis Club Director of Tennis), Jeff Dadamo (Singles Finalist), Singles Champion Jeff Levine, Shaye Rowe (Audi of Melbourne: Presenting Sponsor), Kajeri Genna (Genna Jewelers: Sponsor), Dawn Bray, (Kiwi Tennis Club Pro).

Front row: Kiwi Tennis club member Ball Boys and Girls

MOHD ASSRI MERZUKI AND GABRIEL MORARU WIN DOUBLES CHAMPIONSHIP

(left to right): Artem Ilyushin, Antoine Benneteau, Shaye Rowe (Audi of Melbourne: Presenting Sponsor), Mohd Assri Merzuki, Kajeri Genna (Genna Jewelers: Sponsor), Gabriel Moraru, Holly Baney (MIMA Foundation Director & Tournament Director), Kiwi Member Ball Kids. 

(left to right back row): Holly Baney (MIMA Foundation Director & Tournament Director), Murray Lilley (Kiwi Tennis Club Director of Tennis), Jeff Dadamo (Singles Finalist), Singles Champion Jeff Levine, Shaye Rowe (Audi of Melbourne: Presenting Sponsor), Kajeri Genna (Genna Jewelers: Sponsor), Dawn Bray, (Kiwi Tennis Club Pro).

     Afternoon thunderstorms weren’t a problem for today’s championships at the MIMA Foundation Men’s Pro Tennis Classic at Kiwi Tennis Club, Indian Harbour Beach, FL. The crowd was ready for great tennis and the players did not disappoint.

     At 11 am, the championship for the Men’s Doubles kicked off with Mohd Assri Merzuki and Gabriel Moraru facing Antoine Benneteau and Artem Ilyushin.  Baseline power hitting was often interrupted with fast-paced net play and dynamic overhead smash returns. Emotions ran high for all players who gave the occasional grunt of frustration or yell of approval. With each pair winning a set, the match went into tie-break and as it looked like Merzuki and Moraru were headed for an easy win, Benneteau and Ilyushin rallied back for an exciting tie-break. In the end, Merzuki and Moraru prevailed to become the Doubles Champions.

     Shortly after, number one seed Jesse Levine and Jeff Dadamo took to the court for the Men’s Singles Final. Levine defeated Dadamo in a tie-break match after winning the first set 6-2, and Dadamo winning the second set 7-6. Levine’s serve was a little off today with several double faults, but his booming baseline drives kept Dadamo on the defensive. Dadamo managed to win cheers from the crowd for his many well-placed drop shots that Levine found hard to return. In the end, Levine became the first men’s singles champion.

     “This has been a great tournament,” said Gabriel Moraru during the award presentation. “We can tell that the members of this club are really passionate about tennis. The event was well organized and the venue is fantastic. I look forward to coming here again.”

     “We are so happy that we were able to add a men’s tournament here,” said Ed Scott, founder and owner of Kiwi Tennis Club. “We hope to see all of these players next year for another round of great men’s pro tennis.”

Gabriel Moraru serves as Mohd Merzuki stands ready for the return.

Antoine Benneteau slams a hard baseline drive.

Antoine Benneteau and Artem Ilyushin during the first set.

Mohd Assri Merzuki hits from the baseline for a winner.

Artem Illyushin leaps for a fast return from Gabriel Moraru.

Benneteau and Ilyushin congratulate the champions.

Presenting sponsor Shaye Rowe of Audi of Melbourne congratulates the champions and presents their check.

Doubles Championship finalists with ball kids, presenting sponsor Shaye Rowe (Audi of Melbourne), Kajeri Genna of Genna Jewelers (who provided a beautiful custom piece of jewelry to the champions, and Tournament Director Holly Baney.

Kajeri Genna (Genna Jewelers) with Gabriel Moraru, left, and Mohd Assri Merzuki, right showing off their custom MIMA Foundation event dog tags.

Jesse Levine                                                       Jeff Dadamo

JESSE LEVINE TO MEET JEFF DADAMO FOR CHAMPIONSHIP

     Afternoon thunderstorms delayed match play today at the MIMA Foundation Men’s Pro Tennis Classic, but by 5:30 pm, the skies had cleared and play resumed to determine the finalists in the first annual men’s tournament at Kiwi Tennis Club.   

     Number one seed Jesse Levine defeated Kiryl Harbatisuik, 6-3, 6-3 in an exciting match that drew cheers and applause from the crowd. The baseline rallies of the first set gave way to a second set full of fantastic drop shots by each athlete, but the Belarus native Harbatisuik could not overcome the experience of lefty Jesse Levine.

     Baseline power hitting was the call of the day between Jeff Dadamo and Ty Trombetta. Evenly matched, Dadamo won the first set, but Ty Trombetta (8) rallied in the second set to win the set 7-6. A 3-hour rain delay interrupted play, but eventually Jeff Dadamo prevailed in a tie-break. Americans Levine and Dadamo will meet Sunday, June 26 immediately following the doubles match to determine the champion.

    Starting at 11 am, the doubles match championship will be decided between Mohd Assri Merzuki and Gabriel Moraru, (who defeated Robbye Poole and Harel Srugo in the semi-finals today), and Antoine Benneteau and Artem Ilyushin (who defeated Americans Austin Smith and Dane Webb).  

     Tickets for the championships are $25 per person and can be purchased online at www.mimafoundationtennisclassic.org or at the door at Kiwi Tennis Club. Tickets for the finals and the VIP luncheon (which replaces the previously scheduled cocktail party that was cancelled due to weather) are $100 per person. Individuals with tickets for Saturday’s matches and/or VIP cocktail party that did not attend due to the weather can use their tickets on Sunday June 26 at the finals.

 Robbye Poole with Peter and Kateri Genna, owners of Genna Jewelers and their daughters

ROBBYE POOLE WINS TISSOT WATCH

The players of the first annual MIMA Foundation Men’s Pro Tennis Classic were invited guests at a player’s party at the Kiwi Tennis Club, Monday, June 20 at 6 pm.  

Players were treated to a delicious pasta buffet, music, and for the brave, a trip to the Karaoke microphone. “After a long day of matches, we were happy to welcome the players to the breezeway for some social time, good food and fun,” says Holly Baney, Tournament Director.  “The Australian’s really showed their stuff during Karaoke,” Baney added. More than 25 individuals and group took their turn at the microphone to sing and prove that they need to stick to their day job, tennis.

The player’s also had an opportunity to win a beautiful watch by Swiss watchmaker Tissot valued at $400, provided by long-standing MIMA Foundation sponsor Genna Jewelers. “The Tissot sports watch caught the eye of everyone as we had it on display in advance of the drawing,” says Holly Baney. “Genna continues to be a valued partner for us and their contributions always make our events even more special.” Baney adds that in addition to the watch, they are also donating hand-engraved sterling silver dog tags with the tournament logo and year.”

Robbye Poole, one of the top seeds at the tournament, was the lucky recipient of the watch. Poole, 22 of Pewee Valley, Kentucky, won back-to-back singles titles in 2010 at the Futures in Joplin, Mo., and Godfrey, Ill., for his first career USTA Pro Circuit singles Titles and went on to win doubles titles in Niceville, FL and Amelia Island, FL.

Spencer Newman

Wednesday, June 15, Spencer Newman of Miami, Florida defeated Mark Oljaca 6-4, 6-4 for the Main Draw Wild Card spot in the first annual MIMA Foundation Tennis Classic - Men’s Pro Circuit. Spencer Newman is a freshman at the University of Florida and plays for the FLorida Gators Men’s Tennis team.

He is ranked by tennisrecruiting.net as a five-star, top-15 national recruit. He reached the quarterfinals at the 2010 USTA International Spring Championships in Carson, California, and won the Orange Co. Winter Designated BG18 in Orlando, Fla., in February 2010.

“Kiwi Tennis Club has completed their blended QuickStart lines on the back three hardcourts for 10 and Under Tennis play, so we are excited to help unveil them at this free event for children during the USTA Pro Circuit event,” said USTA Florida Tennis Program Coordinator Molly Zimmer.

Kiwi Tennis Club looks forward to debuting the newly-lined courts for children, and giving families an up-close look at professional tennis.

“The Kids’ Night Out event will be a great opportunity to get kids excited about summer tennis activities in our community,” said MIMA Foundation Executive Director Holly Baney. “Dawn Bray, the head tennis professional at Kiwi Tennis Club will be coordinating fun on-court activities and providing information about summer programs. Following tennis there will be prizes, pizza and treats. This will happen during an evening feature match so that parents can come out and watch the match while their kids have fun. This is a wonderful opportunity for current and new fans of tennis to experience the excitement and intensity of professional men’s tennis right here in Brevard County.”

Bray added, “We are particularly proud that several juniors that train at Kiwi are now playing at a professional event at our own facility. Jakob Kolb and Sam Stember are playing in qualifying and Robbie Dubuque received a wildcard into the main draw. Joey Jones, a teaching pro at Kiwi Tennis Club, is also playing in qualifying.”

Qualifying rounds for the tournament began Friday, June 17, and end on Monday. On Sunday the tournament will also host a Father’s Day event. Monday at 6 p.m. is the Player’s Party featuring Karaoke and a buffet (advanced tickets required); Wednesday is Ladies Night featuring a Ladies Pro Am at 6 p.m. (advanced sign-up required); Thursday is Wimbledon Day (wear white and get a free glass of wine or beer) and Kiwi Member Appreciation Night; and admission to the tournament is free until Friday-Sunday play (June 24 to the finals on the 26th) when tickets are required.

This is the inaugural year for the MIMA Foundation Men’s Pro Tennis Classic, which offers players $10,000 in prize money. Among the main draw players accepted are Jesse Levine, and college stars Austin Krajicek and Alex Domijan.

“With the success of the USTA Pro Women’s Tennis in Brevard, the USTA determined that this would be the perfect location to add to the schedule,” Baney said.

The MIMA Foundation of Brevard, Inc., is a 501(c)3 non-profit charitable organization serving the Brevard County community through targeted community initiatives, grants that assist patients during times of challenged health such as cancer treatment, and educational programs for aspiring nurses. Programs like the Foundation’s Healthcare Career Scholarship Fund have provided more than $200,000 in scholarships and endowments to aspiring healthcare professionals. For more information go to www.mimafoundation.org.

For ticket or more tournament information, click here

Florida Highway Patrol Information Site.
Kiwi Tennis Club and the area surrounding Kiwi is located in the Central Region. This site will post any alerts, road closures and/or delays.

511
Travelers can also dial 511 on their cell phone. Click here to - this link explains how to use that system, basically they can ask for any reports concerning a particular road, county, city, etc.

Active Fire Locator
This is a link to all active fires in Florida, there is only one in Brevard County and it is well south of us.  This may cause challenges for travel particularly along the East coast of Florida.

Safe Driving - Smoke
This is a link for driving safely through smoke.

Photo of Tim Smyczek courtesy of USTA. 

WORLD-CLASS PROFESSIONAL MEN’S TENNIS COMES TO KIWI TENNIS CLUB

The USTA announced that the first annual MIMA Foundation Men’s Pro Tennis Classic will come to Kiwi Tennis Club June 17 – 26. The tournament, a USTA Pro Circuit event, is an addition to the Men’s Pro Circuit schedule and offers players $10,000 in prize money.  With the success of the USTA Pro Women’s Tennis in Brevard, the USTA determined that this would be the perfect location to add to the schedule.

The field for the MIMA Foundation Men’s Pro Tennis Classic will feature 128 singles players in the Qualifying Draw, 32 singles players in Main Draw and 16 Main Draw doubles teams. The qualifying tournament begins June 17, with Main Draw beginning Tuesday, June 21, 2011.

“It’s very exciting for us to now also have pro Men’s Tennis in Brevard,” says Holly Baney, Tournament Director. “This is testimony to the quality of our venue, the interest in the sport by the community, and the support of our sponsors.” The USTA Pro Men’s event will also feature a Main Draw wild card tournament June 13-15 which will grant the winner entry into the Main Draw of the tournament.

With more than 90 tournaments throughout the country and prize money ranging from $10,000 to $100,000, the USTA Men’s Pro Circuit is the pathway to the US Open and tour-level competition for aspiring tennis players and a frequent battleground for established professionals. Last year, more than 1,000 men and women from more than 70 countries competed on the USTA Pro Circuit for approximately $32 million in prize money and valuable ATP World Tour and Sony Erickson WTA Tour ranking points.

For sponsorship information, call Holly Baney at 321-698-0888.