NEWS

Boulder, Colorado – Babolat, leading manufacturer of tennis racquets, announces its sponsorship of the “Little Mo’” International Open tennis tournament. Babolat recently signed a XX-year contract to support the tournament as a presenting sponsor. The “Little Mo” International is open to any player from around the world who is 8-11 years old. It is the premier challenge for juniors to compete against players from other countries. The “Little Mo” tournament furthers junior tennis development with the goal of players developing new friendships with others from around the world, providing outstanding competition, learning good sportsmanship and most of all having fun. “’Little Mo’ is a great organization to work with,” says Susan DiBiase, marketing director of Babolat USA. “Being a part of a tournament that values the junior players and the game of tennis as much as we do is very exciting for us.” The tournament has special meaning for Babolat’s…

On January 4, 2010 the Maureen Connolly Brinker Tennis Foundation release its 2010 “Little Mo” Nationals Tennis Channel Ad. See the 15 second spot on YouTube here:

Click her for Full Draws & Results Saturday, December 19th-Final Day Main Draw It was a long week for players from all over the world, and not because they were playing tennis all day. The rain kept the original schedule from being followed, but the “Little Mo” International Championships still went on and all the players in the 8 and under, 9 and under, 10 and under and 11 and under age groups of this event got to go home with trophies. This tournament never would have been completed without the very hard work of Tournament Chairwoman Carol Weyman, Director Rick Workman and Referee Karol Wise (above at tournament desk with players), all of whom made the shortened event (thanks to two and a half days of rain) still competitive and fun for all. A special mention to (“Little Mo”) Maureen Connolly Brinker’s daughter, Cindy Brinker Simmons, who not only…

Friday, December 18th-Day One Main Draw Rain once again ruled the day at Club Med Sandpiper, but it didn’t completely take over as a number of divisions made it through the first round (see the results for details)     It was a soaking rain that kept pouring Friday and delayed play. It was started and stopped multiple times as everyone did their best to help dry the courts. But Mother Nature was not cooperating and play was finally called at 7:00 pm, to start bright and early tomorrow. Welcome to Ken Thomas of Radio Tennis who kept the spirits going through the pouring rain through entertaining interviews with Cindy Brinker Simmons, Carol Weyman and myself, along with some of the players from around the world. Kent will return on Saturday to broadcast the finals under what should be sunny skies. -Marcia Frost

Thursday, December 17th-Day Three Qualifying There wasn’t much tennis today as the rain was blanketing the courts. The bad news was that the rain held back all but a few matches on this last day of the “Little Mo” Internationals, however, there were enough matches completed in each age division to declare the qualifers for the main draw. In the meantime, players still had plenty of fun at Club Med Sandpiper, inside the circuis tent, playing ping pong and cardsand definitely enjoying the food (probably the best buffet selection I’ve seen at an all-inclusive).   Thursday ended with the main draw opening ceremony. There was a parade of countries and then each player introduced themselves and announced where they were from. Qualifiers were given awards to recognize their achievement. The ceremony was led by Tournament Director Rick Workman and speakers included the daughter of “Little Mo,” Cindy Brinker Simmons, who…

Full Draws & Results Wednesday, December 16th-Day Two Qualifying The rain held off long enough on Wednesday for the play — both on and off the court.   The round robin continued in the Little Mo Internationals qualifying for the 8,9,10 and 11 age groups for the four spots in each main draw. Players are enjoying competing against all in their division in a format that is based on time rather than a score finish, with no ad scoring. The percentage of games won will determine who will advance to Friday’s main draw.   One aspect of watching “Little Mo” is checking out the next generation. Wednesday, it was Austin DiGiulio whom I saw on the court following in the footsteps of brother Joseph, currently playing at the Junior Orange Bowl a few hours from here, a player I got to know through the junior tennis movie 50,000 Balls. On…

Tuesday, December 15th-Day One Qualifying Three years ago, I was lucky enough to cover the very first “Little Mo” International Championship. I was in awe of the talent of some of those youngsters and a few (like Sachia Vickery and Thai Kwiatkowski, for example) have continued to prove themselves as they aged through the junior tennis divisions. After skipping 2007 (there was no event in 2008), I am back at for another look at the future of junior tennis, with the excitement and fun that Maureen “Little Mo” Connolly would have loved.     This year’ “Little Mo” International Championship. is at at Club Med Sandpiper. and the entrants for the (open) qualifying included 150 kids from 13 countries. I didn’t arrive until the end of the opening ceremonies thanks to a storm (that fortunately didn’t come near Port Saint Lucie). Also missing the opening due to weather was former…

Click here for 2009 Nationals Photos by YourGameFace.com