A Champion Says “Thanks”

Written by: Staff on 4th July 2011

A Champion Says “Thanks” |

A Champion Says “Thanks”

I have been privileged to cover dozens of USTA Pro Circuit Challengers ranging from to the 25K to 100K level during the last 10-plus years. I have witnessed the passion and the drive from Maria Sharapova as a “Rising Star” at age 14 to seasoned veteran James Blake collecting ranking points to gain entry into Wimbledon. Recently I had the opportunity to attend and film a highlights segment from the USTA 10K Futures at the ResortQuest Pro Women’s Open at Sea Colony in Bethany Beach, DE.

Their passion, drive and genuine appreciation for professional tournament opportunities were second to none. The winner of the singles and doubles titles was a former Harvard student who was born in the Ukraine and raised in the Bronx. Twenty-two year old Lena Litvak waited four years before capturing her first pro singles title defeating 28-year old 13-year tour veteran Maria Fernanda Alves of Brazil 7-6, 4-6, 6-3 in the finals. Litvak teamed with former Wake Forest stand-out Alexandra Hirsch of Atlanta, GA to seize the doubles crown.

Did I say that these USTA Futures 10-K players were appreciative? Well, you judge for yourself – here’s a “thank-you note” that says it all about the players on this circuit.

Dave “Koz” Kozlowski

“Inside Tennis With The Koz”

There is something about winning your first title that makes wherever you are seem like the most amazing place, but down in Bethany Beach I felt like that even before I stepped on the court at Sea Colony. I drove down to Bethany not even sure if I would be able to compete because of an injury I acquired the prior week, but finally after more than 3hours on court I had won the final point of the match and even more importantly the tournament. On Sunday June 19, 2011, I won my first professional singles title and added on to the doubles title that I won with Alexandra Hirsch the previous day at Sea Colony.

As I made my winner’s speech I realized how truly amazing the week had been. The week included daily beach trips when sometimes dolphin sightings occurred, to a fantastic housing family, to great food and great people. There were the tournament directors who made all the players feel so special and demonstrated consistently that players were the first priority. The photographers and media who made the players feel like stars. The court maintenance personnel who worked hard to keep courts in great shape as match after match turned into grueling 3 set battles. The volunteers who were at the courts before me everyday no matter how early I came setting up stuff for the players. And the fans, o the fans, how wonderful they were. They understood the game of tennis and appreciated it; gave off energy sometimes so much to where they tried to help the referees make calls. I felt there support from my first match till … well actually I still feel it and am so lucky for that. I was also so lucky to have my mom there to see me win my first title (the first of many I hope) and to able to call my coach and share the exciting news with him on his birthday.

Though everything about the week was great, it made it even that much better, exciting and memorable returning home a champ with some bank and bling.

Lena Litvak

2011 ResortQuest Pro Women’s Open at Sea Colony

Singles & Doubles Champion