Your 2013 @Longines Future Tennis Ace Du Monde: Germany’s Rudolf Molleker
LONGINES FUTURE TENNIS ACES TITLE GOES TO
GERMANY’S MOLLEKER IN CONVINCING FASHION
Germany’s Rudolf Molleker captured the Longines Future Tennis Aces title in Paris last weekend (Photo: Longines)
WEEHAWKEN, N.J. (June 3, 2013) – Sixteen of the world’s top boys’ 12-and-under players battled for the title of 2013 Longines Future Tennis Aces champion last week, with Germany’s Rudolf Molleker finally taking home the championship in a dominating performance. For the first time, the tournament was played in front of the Hotel de Ville (City Hall) in the center of Paris.
Final Longines Future Tennis Aces 2013 – Award ceremony (Photo: Longines)
Molleker defeated Carlos Sanchez Jover of Spain 4-1, 4-0 in the final in the fourth annual tournament. Following the final match, the two had the opportunity to meet Longines Rising Tennis Stars Ryan Harrison and Sabine Lisicki and teamed with Fabrice Santoro, patron of the 2013 edition of the Longines Future Tennis Aces, and former ATP star Arnaud Clément of France, friend of Longines, in an exhibition doubles match.
Molleker dropped just five games in four matches en route to the title. Both finalists won a Longines watch and will receive tennis equipment courtesy of Longines until their 16th birthday. Countries participating in Future Tennis Aces program included Australia, China, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Poland, Russia, Singapore, Spain, Switzerland, Taiwan, United Kingdom and the U.S. The United States representative at the event was Adam Neff of Bradenton, Fla., who faced Molleker in the first round.
Update on Adam Neff of Bradenton, Fla at Longines Tennis Aces Tournament in Paris
Neff was defeated on Thursday, May 30, falling to Germany’s Rudolf Molleker, 4-1, 4-1.
“He was just older, better and stronger,” said Neff, the top-ranked USTA Boys’ 12-and-under player, of Molleker.
Neff said he learned a lot from his experience in Paris. “I learned this is the international competition, so I finally know what it is, what I’m up against,” he said.
To read the Wall Street Journal’s feature on Neff click here:
American Adam Neff to Face German Rudolf Molleker in Longines Future Tennis Aces in Paris
PARIS (May 29, 2013) — Adam Neff, 11, of Bradenton, Fla., will take on Germany’s Rudolf Molleker in the first round of the fourth annual Longines Future Tennis Aces competition, it was announced on Thursday during the draw ceremony.
The matches will take place on Friday in the center of Paris in front of the Hotel de Ville (City Hall). At stake for the winner of the event is financing for his tennis equipment until his 16th birthday, courtesy of Longines. Both finalists will take part in an exhibition with Fabrice Santoro and another to be named legend to complete the competition.
Neff will play against some of the best 12-and-under players in the world as countries taking part include Australia, China, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Poland, Russia, Singapore, Spain, Switzerland, Taiwan, and the United Kingdom.
Neff, the No. 1-ranked USTA 12-and-under player, took part in a Longines Training Academy over the past two days getting ready to play on the European red clay. Accompanying Neff on the trip is his full-time coach Lance Luciani, who was interviewed by this blog last month.
“Getting to Know Longines Future Tennis Ace Adam Neff of Bradenton, Florida”
Adam Neff
USTA Boys’ 12s Spring National Champion to Compete in Paris, France,
May 30-June 1 Against Qualifiers from 15 Countries Around the World
Tennis East Coast readers already know plenty about phenom Adam Neff after I interviewed his coach last month. Now you can hear from Adam himself. The press release reads “Getting to Know Adam Neff”, but we love to keep you ahead of the ball. We went over this a month ago. You can read our interview here.
—Ed.
Neff at Boys’ Nationals
WEEHAWKEN, N.J., (May 25, 2013) – Eleven-year-old Adam Neff’s ultimate tennis goal is not unlike any other top-ranked junior tennis player: He wants to be No. 1 in the world someday.
Considered the No. 1 12-and-under player in the United States, Neff has the top USTA 12s ranking and a recent United States Tennis Association gold ball to prove it, having captured the USTA Boys’ 12s National Spring Championships presented by Longines last month in Delray Beach, Fla.
By virtue of his victory, the Alpha Omega Academy fifth-grader Neff will represent the U.S. in the fourth annual Longines Future Tennis Aces May 30-June 1 in Paris during the first week of the French Open. For the first time this year, the Longines Future Tennis Aces 16-player competition will take place in the center of Paris in front of the Hotel de Ville (City Hall).
In addition to winning an all-expense-paid trip, Neff will compete for the chance to receive financing for his tennis equipment until his 16th birthday, courtesy of Longines. Neff will test his skills against and play against some of the best 12-and-under players in the world as countries such as Australia, China, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Poland, Russia, Singapore, Spain, Switzerland, Taiwan, and the United Kingdom will all be sending their best for the chance to be named the 2013 Longines Future Tennis Aces champion.
Longines Future Tennis Aces 2013 Court!
“I want to turn pro and be No. 1,” Neff said before departing for Europe, where he will spend a week training on the red clay in Barcelona prior to the Future Tennis Aces tournament. “It’s going to take a lot of hard work and a lot of commitment. But when I finally reach my goal it will all be worth it.”
Before leaving for his European adventure, Neff, who is coached full-time by Lance Luciani, took a few minutes to answer some questions.
Question: How did you and Lance meet?
Neff: “I met Lance when I lived in Cincinnati. I met him through a friend of my dad who recommended him. His daughter played tennis too. I lived with him for a summer and now I train with him full-time.”
Q: What are you looking forward to most about your trip to Paris?
Neff: “Well, there won’t be a lot of time for sight-seeing, but just being there for the French Open is going to be amazing. And seeing all the best kids from the other countries will be cool too; to see how strong they are.”
Q: You’ve been featured in Sports Illustrated “Faces in The Crowd” section, interviewed by newspapers and even appeared in-studio on a news-talk station in your hometown. Do you like all the attention you’ve received?
Neff: “It’s great. I love all the attention. It’s pretty cool to be interviewed and to have people ask you questions and see the story in the news.”
Q: What are some of your hobbies besides tennis?
Neff: “I like playing video games and jumping on a trampoline and when I have time I play laser tag.”
Q: How many hours a day to you spend training?
Neff: “I do two hours in the morning, two and a half hours in the afternoon and then an hour of fitness in the evening. So it’s about five and a half hours total.”
Q: Who is your favorite player? And why?
Neff: ”Rafael Nadal, of course. He’s got the most fight and he makes you want to go out and play!”
Q: What is your best shot? And what do you have to work on?
Neff: “My forehand is my weapon, but my backhand and serve are close behind.
Let’s say my drop shots are a work in progress.”
Q: How many words do you know in French?
Neff: “‘Bonjour’ is about it.
Q: Any last comments?
Neff: “I just want to thank Longines for all they’ve done and for putting on such a great event. I know Andre Agassi and Steffi Graf are the Longines spokespeople. I hope to meet them someday.”
Longines Future Tennis Aces US Qualifier Adam Neff is One to Watch
Lance Luciani is the President of Baseline Tennis and his most-promising prodigy is 11-year-old Adam Neff, who just won the Boys’ 12s National title. Neff will represent the United States when he competes against finalists from 15 countries around the world at the Longines Future Tennis Aces in Paris, France during the first week of the 2013 French Open.
The USTA Boys’ & Girls’ 12s National Spring Championships presented by Longines and hosted by the City of Delray Beach served as the U.S. qualifier for Longines Future Tennis Aces with the winner of the Boys 12s singles division earning a once-in-a-lifetime trip to Paris to play against qualifiers from 15 other nations. In addition to winning an all-expense-paid trip and the opportunity to play tennis in the center of Paris, Adam will compete to receive financing for his tennis equipment until his 16th birthday, courtesy of Longines.
Neff, who will turn 12 on May 30, competed against 128 other top-ranked U.S. players in the week-long USTA-sanctioned event. En route to the title, Neff was nearly flawless and never dropped a set to any of his competitors.
Last Sunday, I had a chance to ask Coach Luciani about Adam’s physical development, how he got here and where he’s headed.
How is Adam developing?
He’s physically maturing now. He’s almost 5’8”, and it’s turning in to a lot of muscle now. Before he was shorter and he was a little bit larger kid but now he’s slimmed down. He’s trying to get a six-pack. He’s getting stronger every month. Adam’s physical trainer (Doru Murariu) is doing a really good job.
Adam battled a setback in France last month, and that may have poised him to make the run through Delray Beach for a return trip to France. Did Coach Luciani actually expect him to win it all at Boys Nationals?
I kind of thought that Adam was going to be peaking about that time, because he was really mad that we went all the way to France for a tournament (Auray) about 6 weeks ago. It was really cold and it was indoor tennis. They don’t heat their indoor facilities, so you’re blowing smoke indoors.
We went in there about 5 days earlier, and the day of the 1st round match he got sick with the Norwalk virus. He just couldn’t move. He said ‘I came all this way and I can’t even move’. He lost in 3 sets to someone he shouldn’t have lost to. He lost 13 pounds after that. It really made him determined over the month in between that tournament and Delray that he was going to put on a good show.
He said, “I’m going to try to go back to France again. I’m going to do this.” And he didn’t lose a set. When we found out the prize at Nationals was a Longines trip to France, he was happy his dad wouldn’t have to pay for the trip back. He said, “now I’m going to go over there again and show them what I can do”.
What can Adam expect from the Longines support?
They’re going to pick up all the flights and hotels and all the food, and it looks to me like they put on one heck of a show. They treat the kids first-rate. To be playing at Roland Garros during the French Open! What’s a better experience than that?
How do you like Adam’s chances at the Longines Future Tennis Aces at Roland Garros?
With the 12s, Adam definitely has a chance to beat just about any 12-year-old. He’s getting stronger and bigger. I’ll just try to get him ready correctly and see how it goes.
When did you become involved with Adam and tell us the history of the training facility you’ve built at his home.
When I heard about Adam about four years ago after I left IMG, I started with him. I looked at what his father looked like. His dad is about 6’4 and he’s just a big boy. His dad said, ‘What do you need for Adam to have a chance to play professional tennis?”
I thought about it for a while and told him ‘the first thing you’ll need is a facility with European red clay. It can’t be Har-Tru. You can save a lot of money putting that in, but he’s got to grow up on the red. So the first court we put in, we imported Italian red clay. We have one of the only real European red clay courts in the country. Second court we put in is similar to the Sony Open court. It’s a little bit of a slower court. It has seven layers on it. It’s still good on his ankles and joints. It’s a slower court so that when Adam was working on form, he didn’t have to change his form because the ball was already past him.
Right now, we’re constructing a faster US Open court. It’s got 11 layers of cushions and it’s still good on their joints.
They also have a full indoor gym and a CVAC Recovery Pod, just like Novak Djokovic. Since Adam’s dad is a doctor, he researched the product first. Then Luciani flew to California to the manufacturer for a week to investigate the pod. Adam’s ranking was #282 nationwide and #38 in Florida when he began using the pod last July. Today, he’s ranked #4 nationwide and #1 in Florida. Luciani calls it “a bit of an improvement”.
The pod gives him ‘even more of an ability to come back daily’, according to Luciani.
Neff at Boys’ Nationals
What is Adam’s typical tennis routine?
Four hours per day during the week, a half-day Saturday or a tournament on the weekend, a daily hour of private fitness and a 90 minute recovery regimen, including CVAC pod time.
What style of coaching do you employ on Adam?
When you train someone like Adam, you can’t really work them 110% intensity morning and afternoon all the time, because they’d die a violent death! You’re always gauging every day how much they handle. Now that he’s winning tournaments, I’ve got to count matches like baseball managers count pitches.
Whose game does Adam’s resemble the most?
His game is based on Agassi. That’s my method. Control, hurt, finish. That’s how big points are built. Control your opponent, knock them off the court, make them run, and if they give you a chance, then you finish them. It’s a very aggressive system, but in my opinion, it’s what America is waiting for again. Someone who can entertain them. We’re missing that right now. Serena and Venus have entertained us, but their careers are coming to a close. Who’s next? Who’s going to make the other guy run?
Though Neff’s style is reminiscent of Agassi, Adam’s personal favorite is Rafael Nadal. “That’s who he looks up to” said Luciani. When not playing tennis, being home-schooled or spending time with his family, Adam enjoys his dogs Rafa & Coco, watching ESPN, and texting friends.
He’s just a good kid. For me to be with someone for four years, that says something because I usually lose patience with them and if they don’t listen, I’ll get rid of them. There’s definitely no reason to get mad at him.
Barcelona and Paris are next before Adam moves into 14s. Coach Luciani and Adam are hoping for a high seed in the Orange Bowl or Eddie Herr at the end of the year.
Now you know: Adam Neff is one to watch. America needs more kids like Adam and we’re hoping to see him on a US Open-style court at the US Open in the years ahead.
—Steve Fogleman
Longines is the proud Official Partner and Timekeeper of the French Open at Roland Garros since 2007. Longines Future Tennis Aces – On the Road to the French Open is part of Longines’ global commitment to support and develop tennis’ superstars of tomorrow. All the players who qualify for the tournament will have the opportunity to visit the red-clay courts of Roland Garros and attend a French Open match.
Countries participating in Future Tennis Aces program include Australia, China, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Italia, Japan, Mexico, Poland, Russia, Singapore, Spain, Switzerland, Taiwan, United Kingdom and the U.S.
Longines has been based at Saint-Imier, Switzerland, since 1832. Its watchmaking expertise reflects a strong devotion to tradition, elegance and performance. It has generations of experience as the official timekeeper at world championships and as a partner of international sports federations. Over the years, the brand has built strong and long-lasting links with the equestrian sports.
TOURNAMENT WILL SERVE AS QUALIFIER FOR LONGINES’ YOUTH TENNIS INITIATIVE FUTURE TENNIS ACES – ON THE ROAD TO THE FRENCH OPEN
Weehawken, NJ (March 21, 2013) – Longines, the official timekeeper and partner of the French Open, announced today an expansion of their pioneering youth tennis initiative, Longines Future Tennis Aces – On the Road to the French Open, by partnering with the USTA Boys’ & Girls’ 12s National Spring Championships. As one of the nation’s most prestigious amateur tennis tournaments, the highest-ranked 256 players in the country will come to compete April 7-12, 2013 at the USTA Boys’ & Girls’ 12s National Spring Championships presented by Longines, hosted by the City of Delray Beach.
The Spring Championships will serve as the U.S. qualifier for Longines Future Tennis Aces with the winner of the Boys 12s singles division earning a once-in-a-lifetime trip to Paris to play against qualifiers from 16 other nations. Participants must be born after June 1, 2000 to be eligible for the grand prize. Names of top-ranked athletes to compete will be announced at a later date.
In addition to winning an all-expense-paid trip and the opportunity to play tennis in the center of Paris, the U.S. qualifier will compete to receive financing for his tennis equipment until his 16th birthday, courtesy of Longines.
Longines looks to build upon the success of the program over the past three years. Previous Longines Future Tennis Aces U.S. qualifying tournaments took place at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center, site of the U.S. Open, in Flushing Meadows, N.Y., and included selected players from the USTA’s Eastern, Middle States, New England and Northern California sections.
Rachel Lim
Rachel Lim of Briarcliff Manor, NY, won the LonginesFuture Tennis Aces qualifying event last year and represented the United States at Roland Garros, where she competed against 15 girls, 13-and-under from every corner of the world.
Rachel Lim
Longines is the proud Official Partner and Timekeeper of the French Open at Roland-Garros since 2007. Longines Future Tennis Aces – On the Road to the French Open is part of Longines’ global commitment to support and develop tennis’ superstars of tomorrow. All the players who qualify for the tournament will have the opportunity to visit the red-clay courts of Roland Garros and attend a French Open match.
Countries participating in Future Tennis Aces program include Australia, China, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Italia, Japan, Mexico, Poland, Russia, Singapore, Spain, Switzerland, Taiwan, United Kingdom and the U.S.
Stefanie Graf, U.S. representative Rachel Lim, and WTA touring pro Sabine Lisicki pose for a photo on Saturday in Paris
Three generations of players come together for the
Longines Future Tennis Aces Tournament Roland Garros 2012
Paris (France) / St. Imier (Switzerland), 9 June 2012 – After two days of highly emotional tennis, the final of the Longines Future Tennis Aces Roland Garros 2012 tournament was held over the final weekend at Roland Garros. Destanee Aiava from Australia won the tournament, beating Haruna Arakawa from Japan. This exciting duel was followed by an exhibition match that brought together three generations of players. The two finalists of the Longines Future Tennis Aces Roland Garros 2012 tournament teamed up with Stefanie Graf and Sabine Lisicki, with Mansour Bahrami also joining in the fun. Afterwards, Longines presented the two youngsters with an annual bursary of $2,000 to pay for their tennis equipment until their 16th birthday.
The U.S. was represented in Paris by Rachel Lim, a 12-year-old, from Briarcliff Manor, N.Y., who won the Longines Future Tennis Aces qualifying tournament for U.S. participants last month. Lim, USTA ranked No. 22 in the 12-and-under division, lost in the first round last Thursday against the top-seeded player from Russia.
The Longines Future Tennis Aces Roland Garros 2012 tournament was a huge success. Through this tournament, Longines – the official partner of Roland Garros – aims to look for tomorrow’s tennis champions and to promote sport as well as respect, fair play and tolerance, which are essential for the enjoyment of sport. Over two days, the 16 players, all under the age of 13 and from all corners of the world, did their best to qualify for the final on Saturday morning.
A press conference was held in the Tennis Museum at Roland Garros to wind up the Longines Future Tennis Aces Tournament Roland Garros 2012, with the presence of Walter von Känel, President of Longines, Graf, Lisicki, Florence Ollivier-Lamarque, General Director Swatch Group France, Gilbert Ysern, General Director of the French Tennis Federation and Director of the French Open and Nelson Montfort.
US REPRESENTATIVE RACHEL LIM TO COMPETE AT LONGINES FUTURE TENNIS ACES TOURNAMENT AT ROLAND GARROS, JUNE 7-9, 2012
Lim to Compete for a Chance to Play with Tennis Legend
Stephanie Graf Prior to the French Open Final
WEEHAWKEN, NJ – May 30, 2012 – Rachel Lim, the United States representative for the ‘Longines Future Tennis Aces’ is on the road to the French Open tournament at Roland Garros, and is currently training near her home in Briarcliff Manor, NY in preparation for her first International tournament. Lim qualified for the all-expense-paid trip to Paris following a victory at last month’s Future Tennis Aces U.S. qualifying event at Billie Jean King National Tennis Center, site of the U.S. Open, in Flushing Meadows, NY. Ranked No. 22 nationally in the 12-and-under division, Lim will compete against 15 finalists from around the world during the final weekend of the French Open.
In addition to winning an all-expense paid trip to Roland Garros, Lim will compete for a chance to play with former world No. 1 and Longines Ambassador of Elegance Stefanie Graf and member of the Longines Rising Tennis Stars Sabine Lisicki (ranked 12th at the WTA) in an exhibition match prior to the French Open Women’s Final, and financing for her tennis equipment until her 16th birthday, courtesy of Longines.
“I’m very excited to meet and play against other players from around the world,” said Lim. “I can’t wait to experience their different styles of play. This will be my first trip overseas to play a tennis tournament. I am very excited to finally be able to visit the Eiffel tower, learn about the French culture and go to the French Open at Roland Garros and have the chance of a lifetime to play on the brick clay.”
Lim started playing tennis at 5 years of age and appeared in her first national competition at age 8. Last November, she won her first USTA National Open in the 12-and-under singles division and most recently captured her second national title at the USTA National Open at Owning Mills, MD. She also placed 3rd in doubles at the same tournament.
Longines Future Tennis Aces is part of the brand’s global commitment to support and develop tennis’ superstars of tomorrow. All the players who qualified for the World Final event in Paris will have the opportunity to attend the French Open Women’s Final on June 9.
Longines is the official timekeeper of the French Open of Roland Garros. Countries competing at the Longines Future Tennis Aces World Final include: Australia, China, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Italia, Japan, Mexico, Poland, Russia, Singapore, Spain, Switzerland, Taiwan, United Kingdom and the United States.
A complete schedule of events follows:
Longines Future Tennis Aces World Championship Tournament
Date: Thursday and Friday, June 7-8
Time: 10 am – 6 p.m. local time Paris
Location: Roland Garros Courts 14 & 16
Longines Future Tennis Aces World FINAL
Date: Saturday, June 9
Time: 10:15 am local time
Paris Location: Roland Garros Court 7
Stefanie Graf Exhibition Match featuring finalists from Longines Future Tennis Aces
Tennis Atlantic 