Every tennis player dreams of participating in the U.S. Open or any other world-stage tournament. For some, this goal is very distant, but for others that are skilled in the sport and have played for a long time, they have the opportunity to compete against the best around the world. 16-year-old Raquel Pedraza who currently lives in Claremont had the great opportunity to play in the U.S. Open held in New York this year.
The U.S. Open is a national tennis tournament that hosts many of the country’s top tennis players who play for $34,252,000 and the title of winning the tournament. The events included are mix double, men and women’s double, and men and women’s single matches. The U.S. Open is the final National Event in the Grand Slam, a title of four of the biggest national tennis tournaments all in one.
“The US Open was amazing! The energy and level of tennis is so exciting. Everyone there including the fans are extremely passionate about tennis and you can actually feel their enthusiasm,” Pedraza said.
Pedraza has been playing tennis for 11 years with about 6 years of competitive tennis (when one goes out and competes in tournaments and matches). She began playing the sport at the age of five. Because she has been a Claremont resident for 10 years and has been playing at top levels around the world, she has a combination of famous friends and local friends, one local friend being varsity tennis player junior Andrew Leahy. She is coached by Paul Salvador, the owner of the Upland Tennis Club, where she practices, and Konstantin Lazarov, a pro tennis player. She was most influenced by her brother Adrian, who began playing tennis before she was born, and professional players Maria Sharapova and Roger Federer.
Pedraza is preparing to compete in an International Tennis Federation (ITF) Grade B tournament in Tulsa, Oklahoma and a ITF Grade A tournament in Osaka, Japan. During Feb. 10 to Feb. 16, 2014, she won a tournament called Condor de Plata in Bolivia. She made it to the finals the week before, Feb. 3 -8, during a tournament in Peru called the Inka Bowl. She played in qualifiers in junior tournaments in Roland Garros, France, Wimbledon, England, and the U.S. Open in New York City. She is planning on playing in the Australian Open if she has a high enough ranking to qualify.
Before coaching her, Konstantin Lazarov worked as the assistant coach for Men’s and Women’s Tennis Teams at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Daytona Beach, Florida. He then traveled around the U.S. and Europe with a couple of professionals players, coaching and playing himself. Then, he worked with Kelly Jones, former #1 Association of Tennis Professionals player, at Tennis Learning Management Tournament Academy in Tampa, Florida. About three years ago, he moved to Irvine and started working as a private coach traveling with top junior players. A year and half ago, he became based out of Advantage Tennis Academy in Irvine.
“She is a great player, with very good technique, and a competitive spirit,” Lazarov said.
Paul Salvador, Pedraza’s other coach, has been coaching Raquel since she was nine years old. Salvador has been coaching for 20 years. He has coached at the Industry Hills Tennis Courts, Anaheim Tennis Courts, Cal- Poly University, and now he owns the Upland Tennis Club.
Even though she is dedicated in tennis, Pedraza still finds time to get an education. She is now attending Apex Learning Virtual School, a private online high school. She is planning on attending online college when she plays professional tennis which Pedraza has a high chance of achieving according to her coaches.
“She is not there yet, but on her way. She is willing to put in the work and dedication to reach that level,” Lazarov said.
Although she is dedicated in playing tennis full time, she still finds occasions to hang out with friends and get an education. With high hopes of being able to play professional tennis, this Claremont resident is one step closer to achieving her goal of playing in world stage tournaments on the professional circuit.