Noah Lee & Mia Verlinich Capture Titles at 2024 Bobby Curtis Green Ball Championships
USTA Florida hosted the 2024 Bobby Curtis Green Ball Championship at Lake Cane Tennis Center on October 26-27. More than 60 of the best juniors in the 10 & Under division were gathered for a weekend of competitive tennis with the matches coming down to the wire.
Throughout the competition, athletes used green balls, a decompressed version of the typical yellow one, making it more competitive for the 10-year-olds. They also played in a short-set format as the players only needed to win four games in a set. If things were tied after two set, it went to a 7-point tiebreaker.
In the Boys’ Division, Noah Lee clinched the championship title with a 4-2, 4-1 victory over William Sturner, fellow Orlando resident. Noah had played some great tennis all weekend long winning 40 of the 49 games he played across 10 sets. In the bronze medal match, Eric Lopez finished in third place, while Gerard Carean took fourth.
The Girls’ Division saw Mia Verlinich claim the top spot with a decisive 4-1, 4-0 win over Adelyn Mannari. Mia looked great throughout and took down the top-seeded Scarlett Sperry in the quarterfinals. The girls split the first two sets, with each being 4-3, but Mia was able to edge out a 7-5 win in the tiebreaker. Maya Lundstrom finished in third, with Elena Helou securing fourth place.
The Bobby Curtis Championship continues to shape and showcase Florida’s rising stars, encouraging growth, sportsmanship, and a love for the game!
Top Boy’s Finishers
Championship: Noah Lee (Orlando) d. William Sturner (Orlando) 4-2, 4-1
Third Place: Eric Lopez (Wesley Chapel)
Fourth Place: Gerard Carean (Parkland)
Top Girl’s Finishers
Championship: Mia Verlinich (Wesley Chapel) d. Adelyn Mannari (Saint Petersburg) 4-1, 4-0
Third Place: Maya Lundstrom (Palm City)
Fourth Place: Elena Helou (Oviedo)