| Wimbledon Champion Joins Monte Carlo Tennis Academy |
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| Saturday, 09 June 2007 17:35 |
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The 2005 Wimbledon Doubles champion, Wesley Moodie, has joined the Monte Carlo Tennis Academy (MCTA). Moodie, who also reached No.57 in the singles rankings in 2005, has chosen to join the unique, touring Academy under the direction of MCTA Head Coach, David Sammel as he seeks to break into the Top 50 for the first time. He also hopes to act as an inspiration to the younger players in the Academy. The 28-year-old South African will join junior members Ilija Vucic and Anna Fitzpatrick, and senior member Ana Veselinovic, for training weeks at the Monte Carlo Country Club – the home of the MCTA. He will also receive coaching and physical fitness training from the Academy’s coaching staff before playing in Halle and entering the Wimbledon qualifying draw in June. “Wes is a quality player who still has the potential to achieve big results,” said MCTA Director of Coaching, David Sammel. “His style of play is in sync with MCTA philosophy. The Academy players will benefit from his maturity and I believe he will thrive in our environment. Few players can boast as many wins over top 10 opposition and our aim is to achieve the consistency that has been missing which will catapult Wes into a regular contender in the latter stages of tournaments." Moodie made Wimbledon history with his doubles partner Stephen Huss when they won the title after coming through qualifying. No team had ever done so previously. Standing 6’5” (1.95m), Moodie is an aggressive serve and volley specialist who won the singles title in Tokyo in 2005, with victory over Mario Ancic in the final. He has also beaten Wimbledon semifinalists Tim Henman, Sebastien Grosjean and Thomas Johansson during his singles career. "I look forward to my association with the MCTA and hope I can act as an inspiration to the younger players,” said Moodie. “Having won a Wimbledon doubles title and a tour event, I am confident that working with Dave and the team will lead to more success, which is a powerful asset in helping the younger players mentally see first hand what is possible. Dave and I have set clear goals for my tennis and I'm excited about these possibilities." The MCTA is the world’s first touring academy. Its mission is to discover, train and manage the most promising young tennis players in the world and to develop them to become top 100 professional tennis players. |
