A BOY'S TENNIS DREAM
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MY DREAM IS TO ATTEND ADVANTAGE TENNIS ACADEMY THIS FALL, WINTER AND SPRING
Working with Coach Jimmy Johnson at Advantage Tennis Academy is a vital part in achieving my potential and reaching my goal of playing high-level college tennis. I believe I can do this with your help.
PASSION and DETERMINATION have always driven my tennis career, but without the help of family, friends, and even strangers, pursuing and achieving my goals and dreams have not been possible. My tennis journey consists of countless circumstances and people who have helped along the way. I WANT TO INSPIRE OTHER YOUNG PEOPLE LIKE MYSELF WHO LOVE THE SPORT NOT TO LOSE SIGHT OF THEIR GOALS AND DREAMS.
Even though tennis is an expensive sport, with coaching, court fees, tournament fees, equipment, and travel costs, I would encourage them to be patient, work hard, and NEVER GIVE UP! When you’re losing or things are really challenging for whatever reason, they should know that no matter what, they should hold on to their passion and continue doing what they love.
I share my story in the video within this link:
https://gazette.com/high-school-sports/gazette-preps-peak-performer-of-the-week-paul-jones-cheyenne/article_5ae3923a-f447-11e9-8e17-bb6244f743e4.html
My tennis journey began in April, the year I turned ten years old. I peeked over my Dad’s shoulder as he watched a video of Roger Federer in the Australian Open on his computer. I told my Dad I wanted to try that. The next day my Dad and Mom took me to the park to hit balls. I KNEW TENNIS WAS FOR ME!!
That summer we went to visit family in the southeast and I took lessons at the YMCA. They said I had to take lessons from someone else because I hit the ball so hard and I might hurt the other children. They recommended I go to Topspin Racquet Club to see Coach Dusan Medan, the most celebrated tennis player for Marquette University, and Coach Judit Trunkos, who’d been a WTA player.
The coaches said I was young for their program, but after evaluating me they decided I could play. That’s when both my grandmothers pitched in and paid for their camp and private coaching. My passion for playing grew even more after working with Coach Medan and Coach Trunkos. They introduced me to skills and work ethics that formed the base of my tennis. I got to go back to family in the southeast for one more year. When I was 12 1/2 my grandmother in Colorado passed away. Before she passed, she always made it possible for my summer lessons with Coach Dusan and Coach Judit. SHE BELIEVED IN ME!
Back home in Colorado, I started winning a lot of tournaments and was number one in the state for my age division. My Mom found a program called Tennis Mania with Coach Phil Betancourt. It was an hour from our home, but because it was free I was able to continue playing tennis. Every day the weather was good Coach Phil made it possible for players to hit, and he coached the young players. My Mom and Dad often drove me there five to six days a week to practice my tennis. It’s been seven years since I met Coach Phil, and I still go hit with him whenever I can. If it weren’t for his help and his belief in me, I wouldn’t be the player or person I am today.
Me and Coach Phil at the State Championships October 2019
Unknown to me, there was a program starting called TEAM SPRINGS. Most tennis players knew of the program from their clubs and their coaches, and they had months to apply for the Team. I had less than two days when Karen Brandner (now Mrs. Karen Schott), the program director, called my parents unexpectedly and asked if I would like to apply.
There were two hundred applicants and only 16 boys and girls that would be chosen. The opportunities Team Spring’s provided catapulted my tennis career. Mrs. Schott and Team Springs made coaching and year-round access to courts a reality much closer to home. Generous strangers contributed to scholarships when they heard of my tennis potential from Mrs. Schott. I will always be grateful for those generous sponsors that made private coaching and mentoring a reality for me. Those sponsors and coaches changed the course of my career.
TEAM SPRINGS with Venus Williams (I am second row far right)
That same year, Kavan Hahn, a coach and tournament director in Denver, helped me with my first scholarship from the Colorado Youth Tennis Foundation (CYTF). The foundation allows players to apply for scholarships twice a year, which helps pay for things like coaching, tournaments, travel, and tennis equipment. For years this has been another tremendous supplement for my tennis career.
When I was 14, I had two very disappointing injuries, and it was almost 8 months before I was well enough to play again. I never gave up my dreams and I worked really hard to get better. As a home-school student being a part of Team Springs prepared me to be a part of tennis at Cheyenne Mountain High School.
I missed playing my freshman year due to injury, but my sophomore and junior years our team took third in State Championships. With our Head Coach Dave Adams, Assistant Coach Kevin Lynch, our five volunteer coaches, and our team pushing and supporting each other to get better we won FIRST PLACE in STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS this year and I took FIRST PLACE individually.
Coach Dave Adams, Me, and Coach Kevin Lynch
My sophomore year after tennis season ended, our coach had the team take group lessons with Coach Steve Campbell and his assistant Coach Hayden Kramer. With the help of my CYTF scholarships, I was also able to take private lessons.
Coach Campbell’s coaching over the past two years took my skills and my game to a much higher level. He wanted to see me grow even more. The summer of my Senior year, he recommended I go for more intense coaching and training with Coach Steve Smith at GreatBase Tennis in Orlando, Florida.
Me with Coach Steve Campbell at State Championships
Coach Steve Smith is the impetus for where I am today, but without family, friends, and complete strangers, training with Coach Smith this past summer would have been impossible.
Several things had to occur to make this happen. My Dad worked 16 to 18-hour days. I hardly saw him all summer long. My aunt and uncle graciously paid for the training with Coach Smith, another aunt and family friends paid for lodging. This was in addition to the families we didn’t know opening their homes to let us stay with them when we needed a place. Before leaving Florida, Coach Smith suggested I go for training at Advantage Tennis Academy in Irvine, California. Attending Advantage Tennis Academy for two weeks this past summer was only possible with the help of family and friends.
Working with Coach Jimmy Johnson at Advantage Tennis Academy is a vital part in achieving my potential and reaching my goal of playing high-level college tennis. I believe I can do this with your help.
PASSION and DETERMINATION have always driven my tennis career, but without the help of family, friends, and even strangers, pursuing and achieving my goals and dreams have not been possible. My tennis journey consists of countless circumstances and people who have helped along the way. I WANT TO INSPIRE OTHER YOUNG PEOPLE LIKE MYSELF WHO LOVE THE SPORT NOT TO LOSE SIGHT OF THEIR GOALS AND DREAMS.
Even though tennis is an expensive sport, with coaching, court fees, tournament fees, equipment, and travel costs, I would encourage them to be patient, work hard, and NEVER GIVE UP! When you’re losing or things are really challenging for whatever reason, they should know that no matter what, they should hold on to their passion and continue doing what they love.
I share my story in the video within this link:
https://gazette.com/high-school-sports/gazette-preps-peak-performer-of-the-week-paul-jones-cheyenne/article_5ae3923a-f447-11e9-8e17-bb6244f743e4.html
My tennis journey began in April, the year I turned ten years old. I peeked over my Dad’s shoulder as he watched a video of Roger Federer in the Australian Open on his computer. I told my Dad I wanted to try that. The next day my Dad and Mom took me to the park to hit balls. I KNEW TENNIS WAS FOR ME!!
That summer we went to visit family in the southeast and I took lessons at the YMCA. They said I had to take lessons from someone else because I hit the ball so hard and I might hurt the other children. They recommended I go to Topspin Racquet Club to see Coach Dusan Medan, the most celebrated tennis player for Marquette University, and Coach Judit Trunkos, who’d been a WTA player.
The coaches said I was young for their program, but after evaluating me they decided I could play. That’s when both my grandmothers pitched in and paid for their camp and private coaching. My passion for playing grew even more after working with Coach Medan and Coach Trunkos. They introduced me to skills and work ethics that formed the base of my tennis. I got to go back to family in the southeast for one more year. When I was 12 1/2 my grandmother in Colorado passed away. Before she passed, she always made it possible for my summer lessons with Coach Dusan and Coach Judit. SHE BELIEVED IN ME!
Back home in Colorado, I started winning a lot of tournaments and was number one in the state for my age division. My Mom found a program called Tennis Mania with Coach Phil Betancourt. It was an hour from our home, but because it was free I was able to continue playing tennis. Every day the weather was good Coach Phil made it possible for players to hit, and he coached the young players. My Mom and Dad often drove me there five to six days a week to practice my tennis. It’s been seven years since I met Coach Phil, and I still go hit with him whenever I can. If it weren’t for his help and his belief in me, I wouldn’t be the player or person I am today.
Me and Coach Phil at the State Championships October 2019
Unknown to me, there was a program starting called TEAM SPRINGS. Most tennis players knew of the program from their clubs and their coaches, and they had months to apply for the Team. I had less than two days when Karen Brandner (now Mrs. Karen Schott), the program director, called my parents unexpectedly and asked if I would like to apply.
There were two hundred applicants and only 16 boys and girls that would be chosen. The opportunities Team Spring’s provided catapulted my tennis career. Mrs. Schott and Team Springs made coaching and year-round access to courts a reality much closer to home. Generous strangers contributed to scholarships when they heard of my tennis potential from Mrs. Schott. I will always be grateful for those generous sponsors that made private coaching and mentoring a reality for me. Those sponsors and coaches changed the course of my career.
TEAM SPRINGS with Venus Williams (I am second row far right)
That same year, Kavan Hahn, a coach and tournament director in Denver, helped me with my first scholarship from the Colorado Youth Tennis Foundation (CYTF). The foundation allows players to apply for scholarships twice a year, which helps pay for things like coaching, tournaments, travel, and tennis equipment. For years this has been another tremendous supplement for my tennis career.
When I was 14, I had two very disappointing injuries, and it was almost 8 months before I was well enough to play again. I never gave up my dreams and I worked really hard to get better. As a home-school student being a part of Team Springs prepared me to be a part of tennis at Cheyenne Mountain High School.
I missed playing my freshman year due to injury, but my sophomore and junior years our team took third in State Championships. With our Head Coach Dave Adams, Assistant Coach Kevin Lynch, our five volunteer coaches, and our team pushing and supporting each other to get better we won FIRST PLACE in STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS this year and I took FIRST PLACE individually.
Coach Dave Adams, Me, and Coach Kevin Lynch
My sophomore year after tennis season ended, our coach had the team take group lessons with Coach Steve Campbell and his assistant Coach Hayden Kramer. With the help of my CYTF scholarships, I was also able to take private lessons.
Coach Campbell’s coaching over the past two years took my skills and my game to a much higher level. He wanted to see me grow even more. The summer of my Senior year, he recommended I go for more intense coaching and training with Coach Steve Smith at GreatBase Tennis in Orlando, Florida.
Me with Coach Steve Campbell at State Championships
Coach Steve Smith is the impetus for where I am today, but without family, friends, and complete strangers, training with Coach Smith this past summer would have been impossible.
Several things had to occur to make this happen. My Dad worked 16 to 18-hour days. I hardly saw him all summer long. My aunt and uncle graciously paid for the training with Coach Smith, another aunt and family friends paid for lodging. This was in addition to the families we didn’t know opening their homes to let us stay with them when we needed a place. Before leaving Florida, Coach Smith suggested I go for training at Advantage Tennis Academy in Irvine, California. Attending Advantage Tennis Academy for two weeks this past summer was only possible with the help of family and friends.
Organizer
Renie Jones
Organizer
Manitou Springs, CO
