It was Wednesday at the 2012 Campbell’s Hall of Fame Tennis Championships, and still the biggest story on the bulletin board outside the media center was about Denis Kudla that had appeared in the Newport Daily News. Kudla lost in singles qualifying and had just been defeated in doubles with Steve Johnson. After his post-match meal of pasta and salad, he gave me an update on the summer.
It was the second time he’s played Treat Huey “and the second time he beat me badly”.
He loves Newport and yesterday took a boat tour around Aquidneck Island. He especially enjoys the long, interesting window-shopping walks around town.
Are ranking points a big concern for him at this point?
I just lost points here. I think now I’m 195 or 197. I’m not worried about it too much. Points are going to come off so I have to put on new ones. I’m not really looking at rankings right now. I was at the beginning of the year. Now I’m just focusing on trying to improve. I think if I work hard, in the right direction, the results will come and the ranking will rise.
Lexington, Binghamton and CitiOpen qualifying are next in the works for Kudla.
The DC-raised Philadelphia Eagles fan does support the Washington Nationals. Denis said “I’m crossing my fingers for them”.
I’m crossing mine for Denis for a great US Open Summer Series.
–S. Fogleman
Tennis Atlantic 