Continuing to carve out a national presence, Taytum Jones capitalized on his well
earned opportunity to play the USTA Boy’s 14 National Hard Court Championships
in the Mobile, Alabama August 4-9. He played six matches and won four, winning
the first round of main draw 6-4, 6-1 and then again 6-2, 6-3 in his second match
upsetting the 62nd ranked Boy’s 14 in the US.! before losing his third match to the 4th
seed, a top 10 nationally ranked junior.
In the back draw, Taytum ploughed forward winning his fourth match 6-1, 7-5 and
then the next 6-2, 6-4, before losing to the 17th seed in a close match 6-4,6-3! In this
nationals, he only lost to seeded players and knocked one off! New to the muggy and
humid conditions in Alabama - in 100 plus degree weather - Taytum stated that
several players succumbed to heat exhaustion and cramping, including himself,
suffering leg cramps in his 2nd round consolations, before turning it back around and
winning. In addition to his outstanding play at Hard Courts, there is a sportsmanship award given out each day by the tournament staff and referees. Guess who won it on both 8/6 and 8/8? That’s right, Taytum Jones!
From State level player to qualifying and playing in two national tennis tournaments
this summer, beating top seeds and ranked players and winning six of ten national
event matches, Taytum Jones proved to everyone that he is a national caliber player
who can compete with the best in the US.
Rompf said that, “As always it is an emotional experience to watch a player you have
helped achieve their best. It has been an honor to have been able to help this young
OKC player find his best tennis and legitimize the foundation’s criteria to build
national junior players out of OKC just like we did in the 70’s and 80’s. And it has
been a unique privilege positive experience for all of our donors who so generously
supported us and helped to make this happen.”
Taytum’s mom, Starla Burk said, “Due to the generosity of the Bill Rompf Junior
Tennis Foundation my son Taytum Jones had the astounding opportunity to play
two national events this summer. We had never even considered this when we first
all met in December. Tay and I have been over the moon with all the adventures
he’s experienced. This is only the beginning! Thank you so much… for everything!!!”