The Sarasota Open Experience Book Excerpt

By Scoop Malinowski | The Sarasota Open Expertise | Friday, April 4, 2025

Photograph credit score: Elizabeth Moore Sarasota Open Fb

I by no means imagined writing a e book about an ATP Challenger event.

However after overlaying the Sarasota Open over a decade, the buildup of so many fascinating reminiscences and anecdotes each on and off the courtroom of battle, impressed the thought to create a e book about this little-known however great annual tennis occasion.

Filipina Fighter: Eala Shocks Keys in Miami

The Sarasota Open Expertise is a set of tales, reminiscences, articles, interviews, all related to the event since 2009.

This is a teaser excerpt from the e book.

One participant signed an autograph for a ballboy in between factors… an grownup movie video on excessive quantity interrupted one Frances Tiafoe match and made worldwide headlines… One 12 months the trophies have been a beer mug, one other 12 months an Easter basket… that is only a tip of the iceberg.

The Sarasota Experience is available now on Amazon for $9.99.

The Ray Collins Sarasota Open Interview

No one has been related to the Sarasota Open longer than the official event announcer, Mr. Ray Collins. He shared a fraction of his catalog of reminiscences…

FIRST MEMORY: I used to be sitting within the stands on the Longboat Key Membership in 2011, watching the Sarasota Open and noticed a man I knew doing a post-match interview and the one factor that stood out about it was his loud pants. I later approached Match Proprietor Tony Driscoll, who I had met beforehand, and informed him I’d be excited about doing his on-court asserting.

I used to be anchoring the information in Sarasota, performed faculty tennis—and was already the honorary umpire for a dozen exhibitions on the town. Names like Pernfors, Arias, Krickstein, Jensen, and many others. However Driscoll didn’t share my imaginative and prescient. Nevertheless, a 12 months later, the Director of Tennis on the Longboat Key Membership, John Woods, informed Tony he noticed an on-court emcee in a event out west that was fairly efficient. Woods informed Driscoll the announcer even learn off sponsors names, a lightbulb went off in Tony’s enterprise mind and I started asserting the following event in 2013 and have been doing it ever since.

The ladies’s professional event within the Naples space reached out to me in 2019 and I’ve been touring to announce their event annually as nicely. I take pleasure in being up near professional tennis and serving because the on-court emcee.

Individuals appear to love that I’m very casual: I truly go on the courtroom, interview the winner after the match and am not only a indifferent voice studying off a scroll someplace in a press field. I’ve type of re-shaped my job description over time.

FAVORITE PLAYERS: I smile once I consider the arc I witnessed of Frances Tiafoe’s progress within the Sarasota Open. He arrived in 2015 when the event was in Lakewood Ranch. He got here within the event workplace, sat down and interacted with the employees like no participant has ever achieved earlier than or since. He was assured, fast to snigger and had a million-watt smile.

After I later heard his life story, I appreciated him much more. His father was a upkeep man at a tennis facility in Maryland. Frances and his twin brother—and father—would typically sleep on the membership. Within the morning, Frances would snoop on the opposite children his age getting classes—and the remainder is historical past. He didn’t win that first 12 months, or the second 12 months—however he did win in 2017 when the event was on the United Tennis Membership.

I’ve to confess, I used to be glad for him. His father was there too. In his victory remarks, Frances mentioned one thing like, “Despite the fact that I’m glad to have lastly received, this in all probability means I received’t be taking part in on this event once more.”

He was proper. He’s gone on to massive issues, however I’ve fond reminiscences of watching him develop up earlier than our eyes. There’s one other participant who hasn’t had the identical degree of success as Tiafoe, however who’s the nicest professional athlete I’ve ever met in any sport.

Christian Harrison has had greater than his share of bodily challenges, however he is nonetheless on the market grinding away, speaking to fans–and all the time offers me a “Hello Ray” when he sees me round city. Class act.

Different good guys I’ve met by way of the Sarasota Open embrace Taylor Dent, Eire’s James McGee—and Brian Battistone who charmed the viewers on Longboat Key together with his double-handled racquet, ambidextrous groundstrokes and volleyball-like serve. Battistone was glad to indicate his racquet, pose with followers and shrugged off the eye.

Although I am probably not a fan of his, I used to be amazed how Nick Kyrgios got here by way of Longboat Key in 2014. His degree of play was like a person amongst boys…a sizzling knife by way of butter. It was pretty apparent he was going to win that 12 months, and I’ve by no means had that sensation earlier than or since. He was very low key again then. Barely mentioned a phrase. Too dangerous he modified. He may have been one of many greats.

Alexander Zverev performed one 12 months at Lakewood Ranch in 2015. He was surrounded the complete time by his parents–and whereas Tiafoe was social, Zverev didn’t discuss to anybody exterior his posse. Although he appeared like a carefree surfer dude again then, his demeanor and look seem to have modified over time. (His brother Mischa received it that 12 months. He was a lot friendlier but in addition a number of years older.) Additionally, I by no means noticed Stevie Johnson take pleasure in himself across the courtroom. Hardly ever—if ever–cracked a smile. Jack Sock and Ryan Harrison are two others low on the attraction scale.

FAVORITE MOMENTS: Tiafoe got here within the workplace searching for somebody to hit with earlier than his match in Lakewood Ranch. I known as my long-time pal Chris Marquez, Head Professional at Lakewood Ranch, and he introduced over certainly one of his prime juniors, Ashley Bongart. I used to be a bit nervous he would overpower her however he received his match that day and requested me the following day if I may get her again over for successful.

I additionally keep in mind a second again at Lakewood Ranch once I was sitting between Nick Bollettierri and Dick Vitale. Simply the three of us. Nobody else round. “My two dads.” They have been speaking a couple of sure participant who did not have the precise character, they usually consequently did not suppose he would go very far.

One other second that stood out—not overly thrilling however satisfying to me: I prefer to interview VIPs within the viewers for the advantage of others who could not notice the massive names are current. I keep in mind an evening the place I bounced between former no. 5 on the earth, Jimmy Arias, and the then-Mayor of Sarasota Kyle Battie. They’re each buddies of mine–and at that second, I felt well-connected and well-informed to tug off two solely totally different interviews. Arias and I grew up taking part in tennis throughout the identical period in Buffalo—however that’s the place the similarities finish. He went on to five on the earth, and I used to be no. 5 on my faculty group.

MOST PAINFUL: There are a number of methods I may take that query, so I am going to take it actually: There was a second once I was briefly ache whereas I used to be on middle courtroom awarding the doubles trophies at Laurel Oak in 2018. One of many runners-up, Peter Polansky of Toronto, thought it will be humorous to replicate the solar off his new trophy towards my eyes. I used to be momentarily blinded whereas making an attempt to learn my notes on the mic. I did not know the place it was coming from till I noticed him laughing a number of ft away on the sidelines. I appreciated him, however I did not suppose that was acceptable.

MOST EMBARRASSING: Throughout my first 12 months at Longboat Key (2013) I used to be awarding the runners-up their trophies once I misplaced my place. When the second participant completed talking, I mentioned, “Okay, of us, that is the doubles–now stand-by for our singles closing.” All of the sudden I heard a buzz, and Driscoll merely pointed to the web the place the winners of the doubles closing have been nonetheless ready patiently for his or her trophies and checks. Whoops!

There was one other incident that was nearly embarrassing: We begin every day with the Nationwide Anthem, and as I stroll to the courtroom to start the proceedings I say ‘hiya’ to the singer and produce them out to the courtroom with me. This was Payne Park 2022 I mentioned to the lady, “Hello…comply with me!” And he or she did. We have been standing behind the umpire’s chair and I requested her what her identify was and the place she sings. She mentioned, “I am not a singer.” I mentioned, “Aren’t you our Nationwide Anthem singer?” She mentioned, “No!” Seems she appeared quite a bit like one other singer we had earlier within the week. At that time the precise singer materialized, and our impromptu karaoke contest was cancelled.

One other incident wasn’t embarrassing for me however it didn’t make the event look nice: In 2024, the ATP requested me to interview the successful participant after the match. We’d stand on the courtroom and a camera–20 yards away within the nook—would shoot us with the assistance of a zoom lens. However not everybody knew that we have been broadcasting worldwide, and a few courtroom upkeep folks and photographers blocked the digicam, considering it was simply an interview for the folks within the stands.

It obtained worse on the closing ceremony when the event organizers introduced their family and friends on the courtroom and blocked the digicam shot solely, forcing the ATP to dump out of protection. I do know for a reality there have been reporters abroad ready to listen to from the winner and the runner-up from their respective international locations.

FUNNIEST MOMENTS: I’d be remiss to not begin with the incident that obtained essentially the most consideration within the historical past of the Sarasota Open. It was 2017 on the United Tennis Membership. Tiafoe was taking part in an evening match towards fellow-American Mitchell Krueger of Texas. The membership was in a residential space and one of many neighboring condominium homeowners determined to play a prank by blaring an grownup video. After a pair minutes, Tiafoe turned towards the path of the noise and yelled, “It could possibly’t be that good!” The gang laughed, the worldwide media seized on the incident and Driscoll—all the time the marketer—produced t-shirts that mentioned, “The Sarasota Open. It IS that good.”

One other humorous second additionally concerned a prank I orchestrated towards Tiafoe minutes after he received the Sarasota Open that very same 12 months. I obtained one of many younger employees members to strategy him with me within the clubhouse when he walked in together with his trophy. Eva Teitlebaum mentioned, “Frances, nice win. Congratulations. How a couple of image earlier than you allow?” He thanked her for her feedback and commenced to take his massive bag off his shoulder to pose for an image when she handed him her digicam and she or he and I posed. “Oh, you need me to take it of you! Oh, you bought me! You bought me!” I can nonetheless hear him laughing.

One other humorous factor occurred on Longboat Key in 2014. 6’11” Serbian Ivo Karlovic got here within the event workplace and famous the nerf racquets and balls on a desk. He and I every grabbed one and began volleying the ball forwards and backwards. For a pair minutes, we have been a few children, laughing away whereas tapping that sponge ball forwards and backwards.

STRANGEST MOMENT: In the course of the 2017 event at United Tennis Membership in Bradenton, a fan was kicked out for allegedly tipping off sports activities bettors in Las Vegas. He was apparently clicking a signaling system in his shoe to instantly let his co-conspirators know throughout the nation who had received some extent. Driscoll known as the Manatee County Sheriff’s Workplace to eject him. He went quietly.

FUNNIEST PLAYER: There was a Serbian participant named Ilija Bozoljac who was humorous, silly–and did not appear to thoughts the nickname different gamers gave him, “Bozo.” He obtained the job done–along with India’s Somdev Devvarman, they received the doubles title on Longboat Key in 2013. Cherished his demeanor. Jogged my memory of that expression, “Individuals won’t ever keep in mind what you mentioned, however they will always remember how they felt once they have been round you.” He made me smile.

RANDOM MEMORABLE MOMENTS: Tennys Sandgren was taking part in a late-night singles match at Laurel Oak in 2019. In the course of the match, a bit boy walked as much as the fence behind his chair throughout a break and requested Tennys to signal his hat. Sandgren mentioned he’d do it after the match. The child walked away and headed towards the exit together with his mom. As Sandgren obtained as much as resume the match he appeared again, “Hey child, are you leaving?” It was a college night time and it was after 9. The boy nodded. “Okay, come again, I am going to signal your hat now.”

I obtained an image of that second, and confirmed Sandgren later. He requested me to textual content it to him which I did. We wound up texting for a pair hours that night time. Sandgren can come throughout as a complainer on the courtroom however he is a fairly considerate man away from tennis.

It’s superb what number of gamers got here in as no. 1 seed within the Sarasota Open—and promptly misplaced within the first spherical. Michael Russell, Denis Kudla, J.J. Wolf and a number of other others.

Because the event announcer and media liaison, I loved attending to know Nick Bollettieri over time. I used to be initially nervous to satisfy him, being in awe of his resume. However I launched him dozens of occasions to varied audiences round city. I used to be at his bedside within the weeks earlier than his physique lastly gave out. I actually developed an affection for that affable character. I miss him. I can nonetheless hear his gravelly voice, “My man Ray.”

Maria Sharapova precipitated a buzz when she got here to the matches on Longboat Key in the course of the top of her reputation. She owns a house within the space. I believe she got here to look at Taylor Dent.

WHY DO I LOVE THE SARASOTA OPEN? As a tennis participant, it’s a deal with to look at the matches up shut. It’s much more of a thrill to satisfy, work together and interview these gamers. Most are good and enjoyable. It’s additionally been fascinating to see what no-name youngsters develop into massive names within the sport… Kei Nishikori, Krygios, Tiafoe, Zverev, and many others.

I take pleasure in assembly new folks—and I meet dozens in the course of the week of the Sarasota Open. Plus the occasion is a reunion of the native tennis group. The tennis membership at which I performed for 15 years—and the largest membership in Sarasota—closed a number of years in the past, and a whole lot of gamers scattered to different services across the group.

Despite the fact that being the on-court emcee is a collection of lengthy monotonous days and a few frustrations alongside the way in which, it’s one of many highlights of my 12 months. It may be that good!

MOST INTELLIGENT PLAYER: I used to be impressed by Michael Russell who gave the impression to be a sensible man, not only a jock. Not shocked he’s teaching Taylor Fritz. I additionally appreciated Devvarman who was humorous, charming and superstitious: He mentioned to me within the employees workplace, “I hear (throughout your introductions) that I am a fan of the Miami Warmth.” I mentioned, “Sure, I learn that about you. Is not that true?” He mentioned, “No.” I mentioned, “Oh my gosh, I am sorry–I’ll take that out instantly.” He mentioned, “No, do not take it out, I am successful, maintain saying it!”

Devarrman got here again to educate ten years later (ATP participant Sumit Nagal). He and I have been speaking within the gamers lounge at Payne Park in 2023. I requested Somdev a couple of high-profile participant who appeared to have two very totally different personalities. And he cracked again, “Simply two?”