Cayman’s young tennis enthusiasts got a chance to meet and play with former professional tennis player, Sam Querrey, who was once ranked 11th in the world in singles.
His appearance on island was part of the grand opening of the new and improved tennis and pickleball courts at The Ritz-Carlton, Grand Cayman, held on Saturday, 3 Feb.
Querrey, 36, retired from tennis in 2022 after a successful career which included 10 ATP singles titles and beating former world number one Novak Djokovic in the third round of Wimbledon in 2016.
In August last year, he transitioned to pickleball though he still takes to the court for his old sport every now and then, including on Saturday where young Cayman players got the chance to test their skills against one of the best.
“For my first time down here, it’s good to see the tennis culture, seeing all these kids play, it’s been a blast,” Querrey told the Compass. “I know they just resurfaced these courts and put in some pickleball courts, and so far it’s been great.”
The Ritz facility added three pickleball courts, increasing the total to five, as well as transformed the tennis courts.
Uli Hoppe, Ritz director of tennis, told the Compass that the unveiling of the newly renovated tennis facilities marks a milestone.
“With the addition of three new pickleball courts, we now proudly offer a total of five top-tier courts, catering to the growing popularity of this dynamic sport,” Hoppe said. “Our tennis courts have undergone a complete renovation, featuring two state-of-the-art hard courts alongside two equipped with the innovative TitanTrax surface.
“This cutting-edge surface is specifically designed to offer enhanced comfort and performance, ensuring an unparalleled playing experience. We invite players of all levels to experience the difference… at the courts.”
Querrey, who has played on some of the world’s best tennis courts, was impressed by the renovations.
“These are awesome,” he said. “I’ve been to a lot of tennis facilities… and this is one of the better ones… The pickleball courts are beautiful and… the scenery is picturesque.”
After hitting the ball with the local young tennis players while advising them on how to better their game, Querrey said he was pleased to see the state of the island’s grassroots programme.
“They have a lot of energy, they have great talent, especially with Uli and the staff here, it sounds like tennis is growing on the island and, hopefully, fast forward 10 years from now, there will be a boy or a girl, or both, [from Cayman] that makes it into the top 100. I think that would be something that would be really cool.”
Querrey said the welcome he has received since arriving on island on Friday has left him wanting more. “It makes you want to come back again and again with the hospitality and the friendliness that you feel from everyone.”
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