Tourney rallies community

Rubber soles squeaked courtside Tuesday in harmony with the reverberating thwack, thwack, thwack of tennis balls bouncing off racket strings.

The sixth annual $50,000 Sunset Moulding Yuba City Racquet Club Challenger continues all week at the club and is open to the public. More than 30 competitors are backhanding and lobbing their way through singles and doubles matches through the week.

Cynthia Struckmeyer, a club member and volunteer, perched on the second story of the club Tuesday to watch Carsten Ball and Travis Rettenmaier in a doubles match. She housed the duo last year, so she was rooting for the pair to win.

"I just sit here in amazement, at their serving, their reflexes, their mind games," she said. "And you think you can try to pick up and learn some things, but they are just so high up there."

Anyone, from tennis pro to novice to ignoramus, should come enjoy the tournament, Struckmeyer said.

"It's just such a nice fast game, even if you are not a tennis player, it's fun to watch," she said. "It's really top, top tennis."

With grunts and yells, the men swung their rackets hard and fast at the balls flying their way. The competitors' leg muscles twitched rapidly as they darted back and forth across the court.

A volunteer "ball kid," Jordon Friend, 16, scampered in pursuit of stray tennis balls and handed fresh ones to the competitors as needed.

"You're like the professionals' personal slave. They ask you to do something, you do it," Friend said. "But it's like the funnest slave you could be."

Spending his week sweating on the courts is a great way to start the summer, he said.

"It's great for the city, too, because there's not really anything to do in Yuba City," Friend said. "It keeps a lot of kids busy."

The tournament is also a great way to learn, he said. The teen was already picking up some tricks, realizing he must move his feet faster and change his stance if he wants to improve his game.

"Some people don't like to ball kid, but you learn so much by watching professionals play," Friend said. "And, it's the best seat in the house."

The Challenger features some of the world's finest tennis players from the United States and Canada, as well as Ireland, Paraguay and Taipei, among other countries.

"The whole world is at our doorstep right here," said Vern Leslie, one of the club's tennis professionals.

As recent emigrant of South Africa, Leslie plans to flaunt his national colors this week in support of Fritz Wolmarans, the only competitor from his home country.

Stand seats remain mostly vacant in mornings and afternoons, but they start to fill up at the end of the workday with club members and residents clapping and cheering for their favorite players.

"I do humbly call this the best show in Yuba City," said club director Jim King.

At least 10 players will go on to compete in singles or doubles at the U.S. Open in September, he said. Yuba City is one of 16 USTA Pro Circuit events scheduled in California this year, the most of any state.

As a result of hosting the tournament, Yuba City receives a financial boost as the competitors and officials spend money locally, King said. He estimates any Challenger injects $60,000 to $100,000 into a community during the 10-day tournament.

The tournament is also infused with the community. Courtside banners showcase sponsorship from businesses, schools and restaurants, many of which help feed, seat and entertain competitors, officials and guests.

"We have a stone soup story," King said. "Everybody pitches in where you can and you have a feast."

This Challenger was Miami resident Eric Nunez's second tournament in Yuba City. He liked it so much last time, he had to come back, he said.

"The organization is great," he said. "And the people here of Yuba City are wonderful."

The tournament is a great opportunity for people to see professionals in all their glory - and occasional mistakes, he said.

"People of Yuba City get to see not only professionals that are doing well now, but others that have a bright future," Nunez said.

Contact Appeal-Democrat reporter Ashley Gebb at 749-4724 or agebb@appealdemocrat.com.