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TechnographFormer Illini return for pro tennis tournament
Old teammates to square off on court
By Jim Shay
Posted: 11/8/07 Section: Sports
It's a Wednesday night in Nashville, Tenn., and four Illini tennis players with a lot in common are finishing the day's final matches. Yes, all four of them are now fixtures on the professional tennis circuit. It is their common tie with the Illinois men's tennis team, however, that draws them together as they prepare for a reunion in Champaign.
This year's JSM Challenger welcomes a record four directly accepted Illini tennis players to its field of competition as professional tennis makes its annual stop at Atkins Tennis Center, beginning with a qualifying round this Saturday.
Former All-Americans Amer Delic and Kevin Anderson join Illinois alumni Brian Wilson and Rajeev Ram in the Challenger's international field of 22 players. Ryler DeHeart also made the tournament's player list as an alternate.
Delic, who captured the singles title at last year's Challenger, is now ranked 87th in the world and is one of the favorites heading into this year's tournament.
Though his professional career takes him around the world, a certain sentiment from the past makes competing in Champaign a special experience.
"That's where I played my college tennis and had most of my success," Delic said, "especially last year, winning the title over there, which propelled me to top-100 in the world. There are a lot of good memories. It's always good to go back and play in front of the people who supported me for the last couple of years."
Less than a year ago, Anderson was roaming the courts of Atkins wearing blue and orange and helping the team to a runner-up finish at the NCAA National Championships. Now in his inaugural season on the pro circuit, Anderson was somewhat conflicted about any home-court advantage he would seemingly hold over the competition.
"I feel really comfortable playing at Atkins," Anderson said. "At the same time, the standard of tennis is really hard no matter who I play against. I see an advantage playing at home, but you better be prepared no matter who you play."
This year's JSM Challenger welcomes a record four directly accepted Illini tennis players to its field of competition as professional tennis makes its annual stop at Atkins Tennis Center, beginning with a qualifying round this Saturday.
Former All-Americans Amer Delic and Kevin Anderson join Illinois alumni Brian Wilson and Rajeev Ram in the Challenger's international field of 22 players. Ryler DeHeart also made the tournament's player list as an alternate.
Delic, who captured the singles title at last year's Challenger, is now ranked 87th in the world and is one of the favorites heading into this year's tournament.
Though his professional career takes him around the world, a certain sentiment from the past makes competing in Champaign a special experience.
"That's where I played my college tennis and had most of my success," Delic said, "especially last year, winning the title over there, which propelled me to top-100 in the world. There are a lot of good memories. It's always good to go back and play in front of the people who supported me for the last couple of years."
Less than a year ago, Anderson was roaming the courts of Atkins wearing blue and orange and helping the team to a runner-up finish at the NCAA National Championships. Now in his inaugural season on the pro circuit, Anderson was somewhat conflicted about any home-court advantage he would seemingly hold over the competition.
"I feel really comfortable playing at Atkins," Anderson said. "At the same time, the standard of tennis is really hard no matter who I play against. I see an advantage playing at home, but you better be prepared no matter who you play."
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