ORACLE MASTERS: COLLEGE TENNIS BY CRAIG CIGNARELLI

Written by: Staff on 18th September 2015

ORACLE MASTERS: COLLEGE TENNIS BY CRAIG CIGNARELLI |

Darkness. Several un-caffeinated bodies stagger around Malibu Racquet Club’s eight-court facility attaching banners to court fences. The club’s Corgi – her name is Lily – barks at the sound of twisting wrenches. As the sun lifts from the Pacific’s pillow, exo-skeletal shadows of umpire chairs and ball mowers materialize. Tennis can hiss and pop. The marine mist disappears right about the time lithe, athletic bodies emerge from their cars, carrying racquet bags and the look of determination. Shortly, sneakers will squeak and play will begin.

I am here in preparation for the Oracle/ITA Masters, a gathering of the nation’s sixteen best males and sixteen best females to compete for a championship. Toss in eight of the nation’s top doubles teams (per gender), and the tournament showcases what may be the future of tennis.

Conceived by Oracle CEO Mark Hurd, with an assist from ITA president David Benjamin, the tournament runs for three days and includes national #1 Axel Alvarez Llamas and Virginia’s Ryan Shane on the men’s side, while USC’s Giuliana Olmos and Vandy’s Astra Sharma seek the women’s title. National #3 Julia Elbaba was supposed to compete but pulled out a day before the draw was made. In doubles, the crowd will be cheering for local Pepperdine women, Christine Maddox and Matea Cutura.

Several players arrived yesterday for workouts, and last night’s cleaning crew spent extra time picking up the fuzz from the court – these kids hit the hell out of the ball. In the clubhouse, several stacks of just-strung racquets await the players’ arrival. Bananas and Gatorade give the place a tropical look that club owner Larry Ellison would love. Teak tables and well-cushioned chairs provide the seating for what will be Oracle’s entré into national collegiate competition.

With the backdrop of Malibu’s beach, I’ll be spending the day in the stands, taking notes on the best collegiate tennis this country has to offer. While I suffer, I’ll keep you updated.

A trophy here can change a life. The title could lead to a US Open wildcard, direct entry into a professional event, or a corporate sponsorship. The stakes are massive. The stomach growls in the locker room are not for food. One can smell the sweat of anticipation. In four minutes, play begins.