Junior News and Notes

Junior News and Notes

Oudsema selected as Polo model
According to his father Bill, Scott Oudsema has recently completed a photo shoot for Polo tennis clothing. The tennis line is expected to make its debut at the U.S. Open, though it is unclear whether Polo will be named the official clothing sponsor of that event, replacing Fila, who decided not to renew their contract after 2004. Oudsema, 18, previously modeled for the Abercrombie & Fitch magazine last summer with close friend and sometime doubles partner Phillip Simmonds. This is, however, Oudsema's first major endorsement deal since signing with SFX in December.

Vahid Mirzadeh will return to Kalamazoo
According to his father Moe, who attended the USTA/ITA Indoor Team event in Chicago to watch his elder son Hamid, a senior at Florida, Vahid is planning on returning to Kalamazoo for his final year of eligibility. He will be the first player ever to participate for six straight years, and with Hamid's appearances in 1998 & 1999, the family will have an eight-year streak. Vahid, 18, has won two doubles titles in Kalamazoo, in 2002, in the 16s with Nick Rinks, and last year, when he teamed with Phillip Simmonds to win the 18s championship.

Carsten Ball has been named a hitting partner for Australian Davis Cup tie vs. Austria
Ball, 17, who lives in Newport Beach California, has been playing in Australia most of 2005. Reports have him seeking Australian citizenship, in hopes of following in his father`s footsteps. Syd Ball played Davis Cup for Australia in 1974.

Spencer Vegosen will hit with US Davis Cup team and travel to Brazil
Shari Vegosen, whose husband Jon chairs the USTA Collegiate committee, relayed that their son Spencer is currently in Carson California training at the High Performance center and will remain there through the Davis Cup tie with Croatia. He is expected to hit with Roddick, Agassi and the Bryants when the team arrives in Carson for practice. He will return home to celebrate his 17th birthday, then, accompanied by his mother, will head to Brazil for the Grade A Banana Bowl and Grade 1 Gerdau Cup.

Matt Bruch attends USTA/ITA Indoor Team event to observe future team
Bruch, 17, of Lake Forest IL, committed to Stanford during last November‘s early signing period. He did not see Stanford tennis at its best, however, as the Cardinal lost all three of their matches over the weekend to Virginia, Oklahoma State and Southern Cal.