Varma teamed with Rick Leach to capture the Men’s 55 doubles at the ITF Longboat Key Super Senior held in Longboat Key, FL the week of November 27th. This is Varma’s 3rd National Championship coming on the heels of a gold ball victory at the US Men’s 55 National Clay Court Championships in Savannah, Georgia.
Rompf expressed his regret at missing the event held in his now hometown as he was traveling in Jamaica:
“The one time I have a chance to enjoy watching a former student play and I can’t make it. So disappointed, but so incredibly proud of Vivek. He told me he didn’t know if he’d play the event, but knew that if he did, it was a chance to be #1. He asked me if I thought it was worth it. I reminded him of my conversation with fellow St. Louis coach and lifelong best friend, Doug Smith. Back in 70’s and 80’s junior days in the MVTA, Smith always tried to argue that his students were better than mine. He told me he had the number 3 and 6 and 7 top players in an event. We had the number 1 and 5 players. My comment then was – and still is today – that #1 was on one side of any ranking ledger and all other rankings – no matter how many – fell on the other side. #1 is an achievement all by itself and unequalled. Period."
Varma stated, “I have been playing the best tennis of my life this year. And, as context for competition at this level… having played with Rick a lot we expect guys to come out gunning for a win against a champion like him. So, we expect tough matches and I expect to be identified as the weak link, yet I know if we play our game we can navigate the highs and lows of a match. That’s something I learned from him.” Leach, 58, was ranked #1 in the world in 1990 in Men’s doubles with 9 Grand Slam titles.
And, Vivek texted Bill, “I’m now another of your #1’s…you taught us so much…in our foundational years. You taught me what winning takes – hard work and intensity and no succumbing to weakness. Add this to your legacy!”
Varma joins Rompf OKC junior champions also ranking #1 nationally in Mary Norwood Rompf (Girl’s 16 and 18, Women’s Open, and Mother Daughter Open doubles: Krunch Kloberdanz (Boy’s 12 singles), Mitty Arnold (Boy’s 18 doubles), MaryAnn Rompf (Mother Daughter Open doubles), Fritz Bissel Boy’s 12 singles), and Bill (USLTA Tennis Family of the Year 1966; if that counts).
CONGRATULATIONS VIVEK VARMA. YOU’RE #1!!!!!!!!
