Will play in benefit at Nassau Racquet Club
By: Bob Nuse
For as long as he can remember, tennis has been a part of Ogidi Obi’s life.
The West Windsor resident has progressed from a strong junior player to an outstanding high school player. He enjoyed a solid collegiate career at Columbia University and in the three years since his graduation has spent time teaching while also pursuing a professional career.
Reaching the elite level where a player can make a living playing tennis isn’t easy. But Obi isn’t quite ready to give up on that dream just yet. At the same time, he enjoys being able to impart his own knowledge of the sport on younger players.
"I’ve been playing and teaching in the area the last six months," said the 23-year-old Obi, who has been teaching at Nassau Racquet Club in Montgomery as well as on his own in the West Windsor area. "I’m sort of land locked in this area right now. I was going to go to California, but then I suffered a training injury running in 35 degree weather.
"I’m going to give it one more year to see what happens as far as a professional career. After that I’d like to look into developing something for pro tennis in the area. I’d like to work with people to bring pro tennis to this area in some form or another."
What Obi would eventually like to see happen is events like the one he’ll be participating in on Sunday at the Nassau Racquet Club. Eight of the top players in the area will be playing a series of matches as part of the club’s "Pro Bowl of Tennis." The event is a fundraising effort for the Twin Towers Orphan Fund.
In addition to Obi, the players involved in the event all have impressive credentials as players. The field includes Chris Hill, a former player at Pepperdine and current assistant coach at Penn; Mark Silva, who played at Northwestern University and this past summer won the James E. Cryan Open Singles title; and, Geoff Grant, a former top 100 player in the world and elite doubles player. Rutgers University coach Mickey Cook will also be on hand, as well as top local pros Brad Werner, Bill Birnie and J.J. Jackson.
"I think Brad (Werner, the head pro at Nassau) plans to mix it up pretty well," Obi said. "I think it will be a lot of fun and entertaining for people to watch. Something like this is what’s needed in this area, especially with the caliber of players that there are in the area.
"I remember when I was in New York, the kids playing in the juniors always had players to look up to like (John) McEnroe. Those players had a good impact on the game. It was great to just get people together and play. I’d love to see that happen more often."
Sunday’s event is open to the public and all proceeds will go to the Twin Towers Orphan Fund. Tickets are only $5 each, which includes admission, a buffet luncheon, and eligibility for a door prize.
The players will play round-robin doubles. Obi is looking forward to playing with and against the high level of players involved. He’s spent most of his time teaching recently, but also has had some time to work on his own game.
"When you’re teaching others, you have to keep in mind that they’re teaching you sometimes as well," Obi said. "A big part of playing when you’re teaching is staying physically in shape to be able to compete. You concentrate on staying physically prepared for match play as much as possible. That tends to keep your level up.
"Ideally you want to be out there training and playing. When you do that it can take your game to another level."
This winter Obi may be ready to take the necessary step towards seeing if he can play at that level. He knows in order to do that he’ll need to make a move out of the area.
"In February I’m planning to go to play in the Texas Futures," he said. "I haven’t gotten into as many tournaments as I would like to. It’s difficult sometimes for different reasons. I would like to get to more of them, but that can be expensive."
Having to travel to play in the necessary venues is something Obi would love to see change. Rather than having to head to Texas or California, it would be great if high level players could find tournaments to play in without having to travel.
"I would love to see Futures in this area," Obi said. "Tennis is such a part of the culture in the Princeton, West Windsor area. It’s nice to have a pro event that brings people out and also gives younger people something to look forward to.
"I’ve been playing since I was 7, but not at the hyper intense pro level. Even when I was a junior, I wasn’t playing day-in and day-out. I was lucky to get out on the court two or three days a week. Now there are a few more options for players in this area."
Sunday’s event at Nassau will bring together some talented players. It’s an event Obi feels people will enjoy.
"I think it will be a lot of fun for people," Obi said. "This area is so supportive of tennis. And this event is for a great cause. I think people will enjoy it."