Doubles Pair Win Nation’s Most Prestigious USTA Tourney for 12 and Under

Nathan Perrone (left), 12, of Marlton, NJ, and Alex Rotsaert, of Villanova, PA, proudly display Gold Balls presented to them to signify their winning doubles tennis crown at USTA Boys National Clay Court Championships in Winston Salem, NC. It was first time that current participants of Arthur Ashe Youth Tennis and Education (AAYTE) in Philadelphia won Gold Balls in one of nation’s premier 12 and under tennis tournaments. Both young men train under the tutelage of Jon Glover, AAYTE Director of Player Development.

PHILADELPHIA, PA, July 28, 2011 – A pair of Arthur Ashe Youth Tennis and Education (AAYTE) tennis players, Alex Rotsaert, 11, of Villanova, and Nathan Perrone, 12, of Mount Laurel, NJ, won the doubles crown last week in Winston Salem, NC, at the USTA Boys National Clay Court Championships, the nation’s premier clay court tournament for boys 12 and under.

It marked the first time in AAYTE history that current participants won the highly prestigious Gold Ball, symbolizing the winning performers at the National Clay Court Championships.

“This was a tremendous accomplishment for Alex and Nathan,” said Jon Glover, AAYTE’s Director of Player Development and tennis coach of the winning pair. “They played against the best players in the country in their category, and showed an aggressive, precise, coordinated style of play in the final round. Their accomplishment brought instant recognition to the multi-faceted training, education and training program we preach at Arthur Ashe Youth Tennis and Education.”

Rotsaert, who last semester attended the Haverford School in Haverford, PA, and has been training at AAYTE for a year. Perrone, who attends Harrington Middle School in Mount Laurel, has been at AAYTE for less than a year.

Playing together for the first time against 63 of the top teams in their age group in the country, they defeated John McNally, Cincinnati, and Gianni Ross, Burr Ridge, IL, 6-4, 2-6, 6-4. Perrone also place third in singles competition; Rotsaert made it to the singles quarterfinals.

Glover said the two young men have the talent and motivation to move on to greater heights in their tennis careers. “Arthur Ashe Youth Tennis and Education encourages our young people to utilize their tennis skills as entree into the college level of competition. Alex and Nathan certainly have the ability to reach that goal,” Glover added.