This past week ATA senior Josh Hagar continued his quest to reach the rarefied levels of Grand Slam junior tennis.  He traveled to the 25th annual Yucatan Cup, held in Merida, Mexico.



 

This level 1 ITF event is one level below the junior grand slams.   Former winners of this event include:  Rios, Zabaleta, Grosjean, Gonzales, Tipsarevic, Lapenti, Roddick, Baghdatis, Fish.  Because of the high-level nature of this event Josh needed to win three rounds of qualifying to make it to the main draw of the tournament. 

 

 

 



Josh was seeded 6 in the qualifying.   He joined 7 other Americans who won their way through to the main draw.



 

In the main draw, Josh played Joshua Ward-Hibbett from Great Britain, who is currently ranked #99 on the ITF worldwide rankings.  While losing a tough three-set battle, Josh proved he is ready to compete on the world stage.  



 

 

 

Interview of Josh Hagar regarding the Yucatan Cup:



 

Q What was it like traveling out of the country to compete?



 

A "It was really challenging and really cool at the same time.  The challenges of different language, food, culture, everything is different.   Even watching Sunday football was different as I watched my Dallas 'Vaqueros' play.  Of the 100 tv channels, only a handful were in english.  The cool part was being a part of a tournament of this level: badges for check in, ITF one match per day, playing in a field of 64 of the best players in world, being one of only 14 Americans to make into the main draw and one of the 8 who qualified was really great.

"

 

 

 

Q What was the level of Tennis like at this event?

 



A "In qualifying the overall level of consistency was very good, probably the best i've seen in a tournament.  In the main draw I got play a guy who is ranked top 100 in the world. He had major weapons and i had to fight hard.

He's played all over the world, he played Wimbledon this past year, so going three sets with him tells me I am ready for this level of competition.

"

 

Q What advice would you give younger ATA players who aspire to this level of tennis? What should they be doing to be on the same path you are on?



 

 

 

A "Focus on how YOU play, how you WIN.   Every player at this level plays differently, and they are all good at what THEY DO.  Being really clear about your gamestyle is really important for improvement. Also being excited about YOUR particular goal is huge.  I am excited everyday to work my hardest to make it to a slam. To improve fast you have to know what YOU want.
"