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Wednesday, November 9, 2005

Major chances in minors:: The Boston Globe (free registration required)


Major chances in minors::The Boston Globe~~~

The only minor league tennis action in the U.S. last week was in Boston, and I was wondering when anyone from the Globe might take notice of it. I didn't expect that when a story finally appeared, it would be by the legend-in-his-own-time Bud Collins. The bulk of the story centers on the return of professional tennis to the Boston area and the trials and tribulations of the touring pros who scrap for ATP points in events such as this one. Even if it's standard stuff, when it's Collins, it's fresh and fun to read. But I'll excerpt the paragraphs that refer to junior tennis:

D.J. Bosse, 38, may be rescuing professional tournament tennis in the area.

''We're all for him and the title sponsor, ADTECH," said Tim Curry of the US Tennis Association. The USTA puts more than $5 million in organizing and helping the minor league in this country, a network of more than 70 internationally open tournaments. ''This is where most Americans get their start."

Bosse has formed the first full-time teaching academy in this area, staffed by 11 pros. His Bosse Foundation is underwriting three promising teenagers from overseas: Rupesh Roy, 16, from India, and South Africans Ruan Roelofse, 15, and James Monroe, 14.

Roy, a shy yet friendly kid, uneasy with the transition from Hindi to English, flashes eager brown eyes. Sudbury isn't Calcutta, and lacks an Indian restaurant. The youngest of seven children of a struggling farm worker, Rupesh played barefoot on dried cow dung courts. But he was spotted as a talent, sent to Bosse, and even won a doubles match here Tuesday with Tom Blake.

Sudbury, now on the worldwide map of tennis, might be the start for Rupesh, too.

So now at least we know what or who the Boss (sic) Foundation is that was referred to in this story I linked to about Roy back in July. If I had a promising junior who lacked funds for travel and training, I'd contact Mr. Bosse and his foundation for details on their program, As for Roy, I was impressed with his grass court skills in Philadelphia this summer-- maybe all those low and odd bounces are characteristic of cow-dung courts too.

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

What about the Bosse academy helping and underwriting juniors right in their own back yard called America?????? Andy Roddick is the only person I know that sponsors AMERICANS. It's no wonder there are so few pros from the US. Juniors from other countries travel with 3 and 4 other coaches to ITF tournaments. But the USTA spends its money on relief for hurricane victims. There are some juniors who receive support many of whom are minorities.

Anonymous said...

I agree, But lets face it the demographic around the Bosse club hardly needs financial backing. The real issue is the club. You cannot get a lesson there at a reasonable time and the prices are outrageous. The pros are good, butthe other compating programs, weymouth and Longfellow are churning out more and better new england juniors. Money cannot buy drive and determination.