The Hardcourt Senior Slam Kicks off the 2024 New England Summer Tourney Season

From May 30-June 2, more than 100 players descended on the Guilford Racquet and Swim Club in Guilford, CT for the 2024 Level 3 Hardcourt Senior Slams. Hot and sunny temperatures prevailed through the weekend, along with the great competition. A big thanks to all who played with a special shout out to Matt Fraenza, the tournament director, and the Guilford Racquet Club for hosting the event for the sixth successive year. 

Here is a run-down of the highlights.

Singles Competitions

In the women’s 50s singles division, with five players, Michelle Wright lost a total of five games in her two matches and beat Kimberly Gasco in the finals. 

The women’s 60s singles division had four players. Marie-Josee Packl took the gold for the second year in a row beating Susan Wareing in straight sets in the finals. 

In the women’s 75s event, Ingrid Rehwinkel and Adrienne Sprouse had a marathon match with Rehwinkel pulling it out 7-5, 4-6, 1-0 (10-4 in super tiebreaker). 

Four players comprised the men’s 50s draw. Alastair Chapman defeated Juan Carlos Alvarez de Soto in the final round. 

The men’s 55s singles division had 10 players. Lexington Tennis Club’s own Carlos Lopez won in straight sets in the finals over Jorge Wilmer to bring home the gold. Bob Park won in the back draw. 

The men’s 60s singles division had 14 players. The finals was a rematch between Matt Gelotte and Peter Appleton, with Gelotte again taking the win in two tough sets. Paul Coorssen won the consolation round. 

The men’s 65s singles division, with 13 competitors, saw some tight matches in two and three sets. James Curley took the blue ribbon over Chris Stevens, and Jonathan Kalina placed third in the backdraw. 

Eight players competed in the men’s 70s singles division. Stan Mescon cruised through to take the gold, and Stanely Washuk took silver. Jon Wilson won the consolation draw. 

In the men’s 75s singles division with seven players, James Fichera needed two sets to beat Kenneth McGrath in the finals, and Laury Hammel defeated Marshall Hubsher in the back draw. 

The men’s 80s division saw five competitors. Henry Steinglass and Bill Harrison were unable to play their finals round that weekend, but plan to do so in the next week or two.

There were seven competitors in the men’s 85s draw this year. In one of the longest matches of the tourney, Charles Niemeth and Nicholas Ourusoff battled for three sets before Niemeth prevailed 6-2, 5-7, 6-3. Inspiring!

Men’s Doubles Competitions

The Men’s 50s doubles division had two teams and a barnburner of a match between Jay Harris and Alastair Chapman vs Caleb Kleppner and Wayne Jang. The final score of 6-4, 6-7, 6-2 went to Harris/Chapman.

Three teams participated in the men’s 55 doubles draw as one team withdrew at the start. Matthew Polimeno and Steve Gulla took the gold over Bob Park and Chris Stevens in straight sets. 

In the men’s 60 doubles draw of seven teams, Carl Norbeck and Matt Gelotte lost the first set 1-6 and came roaring back to take the next two sets 6-4, 6-4 to beat Jonathan Bates and Harlan Stone.

In the men’s 70s doubles division, Stan Mescon took another blue ribbon. He and his partner Alan Turner beat Paul Shaw and Jon Wilson. 

Two teams duked it out in the men’s 80s doubles event with Robert McAfee and Edward Underwood taking their second consecutive title, this time against Henry Steinglass and Walter Beatty.

And it is always wonderful and remarkable to report on results from our super senior age division. In the men’s 85s doubles draw, Charles Niemeth was also a two-event winner. He and Raymond Brodeur met Roy Anderson and Ernest True in the final, taking the win 6-4, 6-3.

The first Clay Slam is a Level 4 Open and will be on July 11-14 at Concord Country Club in Concord, MA for M50, M60, M70+ singles and doubles; W50, W60, W70+ singles and doubles. Registration for this Level 4 Slam event closes on July 7.

The Grass Slam will be on August 1 - 4 at the historic Agawam Hunt in Rumford, RI for M50, M55, M60, M65, M70, M75, M80, M85 singles and doubles; and for W50, W55, W60, W65, W70, W75, W80, W85 singles and doubles. Registration for this Level 4 event closes on July 26.

The second Clay Slam, also at the Concord Country Club, will be on August 8 - 11 for M55, M65, M75, M80, and M85+ singles and doubles. Registration for this Level 4 event closes on August 4.