Audrey Williams
Online Sports Editor
Since the age of three, the Suard twins have been hitting balls on the tennis courts. Now they are ranked 133 and 143 respectively in California.
Though Mira Costa seniors Blake and Tanner Suard began tennis at a young age with the help of their mother, a tennis instructor, they did not begin playing competitively until they were 12. Since then they have won six open doubles tournaments together.
“Playing together has taught me how to be patient and supportive,” Tanner Suard said. “It’s always great to play with someone who understands my playing style and vice versa.”
The pair recently competed in the Calcutta tournament hosted by the Manhattan Beach Country Club on May 21 and 22. Teams of all levels come out to compete in the tournament.
“The tournament is a great one to compete in because it is supposed to draw a lot of good players,” Blake Suard said. “It is a good challenge and helps us improve.”
The twins paired up with different partners, Tanner Suard with adult tennis player Michelle Kim and Blake Suard with senior Ashley Lahey. The two advanced through the tournament until they reached the finals, where they faced each other.
“I knew it would be fun playing my brother because it can be competitive,” Tanner Suard said.
Each pair kept the match’s score close throughout the majority of the final match, but in the end Blake Suard and Lahey emerged victorious over Tanner and Kim, 41-38.
“I ended up winning, but a majority of the win was due to my partner, Ashley, who was very good,” Blake Suard said. “I had a really fun time playing Calcutta.”
Tanner Suard said he could have improved multiple facets of his game throughout the tournament, especially in the final match against his brother.
“I could have served a bit better and increased my first serve percentage as well as get my backhand returns more cross court,” Suard said. “I had an awesome time though and hopefully I am around to play in it next year.”
Blake Suard will attend Pepperdine University next year along with his partner from Calcutta Lahey and continue to play and work to walk on the team there. Tanner Suard will be attending Santa Clara University, where he plans to train to make the team.
“I plan on continuing my training and pushing myself so I can pursue my goal of playing on a Division One team,” Blake Suard said.
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