More than 100 tennis players from Kendall and other parts of Miami-Dade joined for the first Kendall Open tournament of 2015, Apr. 26-May 3, at the Tennis Villas at Kendall, 9175 SW 147 Ave.
Men’s (3.0-3.5) champion Gary Gonzalez and Men’s (4.0) champion Jorge Ramirez won final singles matches on May 3, Gonzalez besting Rafael Calmet and Ramirez beating Andres Cortazar.
The doubles crown in the 7.0-8.0 Division went to Manuel Valdez and Isidoro Gomez who defeated William Padgett and Aldo Daole.
The tournament was the first in a series planned during 2015 by tennis director Juan Mora who plans to start a mixed doubles competition.
A native of Peru, Mora is determined to put Kendall on the U.S. tennis map by providing a regular series of “open” tournaments for men, women and children throughout the year.
Mora has gained the support of a dozen sponsors to help defray costs for awards and expenses. Sponsors for awards included Triana Tennis Academy, Marcos Pizza, Multitire Merino, A&J Tours, LA Fitness, Bankers Title & Escrow, South Florida Home Lending, Tennis Plaza, La Semana Miami, Mi pais services, Cleanko, Unlimited Real Estate and the Kendall Gazette.
The next Kendall Open is set to start June 20 with registration open for men’s singles at levels 3.0, 3.5 and 4.0; men’s and mixed doubles at 7.0, 7.5 and 8.0, as assigned in USLTA competitions. Players wanting to enter can contact Mora by telephone at 786-443-5501 and 786-563-3370 or by email at jmoratenis@gmail.com.
