The week before Sectionals, three of ATA’s Academy players, Aaron Chaffee, Josh Hagar and Jonah Kral, traveled to Philadelphia to compete in the Junior International ITF/USTA Grass Court Championship.

 

Aaron Chaffee, competing in the boy’s 18s, reached the semi finals in both singles and doubles and received the tournaments sportsmanship award for this level 2 national event.

 

 

Aaron opened play with a 6-2, 6-4 win over Marlu Van Vuuren, followed by a 6-1, 6-1 victory over Karim Arem. In the quarterfinals, Aaron faced Austin Siegel, whom he eliminated 6-3, 7-6. Aaron went down in the semifinals to the eventual champion Trey Srobel, 3-6, 4-6.

 

 

Chaffee then teamed up with Josh Hagar to reach the semifinals of the doubles draw. After receiving a default first round, Josh and Aaron began with a 6-2, 6-4 victory over Espinoza and Siegel. In the semifinals, the duo went down to Corentelli and Strobel 4-6, 6-1, 8-10. Corentelli and Strobel took the doubles title the next day.

 

 

Hagar, also competing in the 18s singles draw, went down first round in a three-set dogfight to Stefan Kozlov who went on to reach the finals. Jonah Kral gaining valuable experience playing at this level while competing in the Qualifying draw.

 

After his final match, the director of the event informed Aaron that he had won the Sportsmanship Award for the event. The director gave a speech to the club members, and presented Aaron with an ingraved silver bowl.

 

 

Chaffee, Hagar and Kral practiced and played at the oldest country club in the United States, The Philadelphia Cricket Club. The club, founded in 1854, offers 21 supremely groomed grass courts, nine fast-dry clay courts, two hard courts and two indoor courts. Beyond its pristine condition, the clubs fervent focus on archaic traditions, like requiring tennis players to wear all white, not allowing cell phones in and around its buildings and no hats indoors, turned out to be a refreshing display of old-school class from a club maintaining its high prestige.