Newsday's top boys tennis players for 2020
Jack Flores from Huntington serves against Patrick Maloney from Oyster Bay on the second day of the New York State boys tennis championships at the USTA National Tennis Center on June 1, 2018. Credit: Patrick E. McCarthy
Meet the top 15 boys singles players and the top five doubles teams for a 2020 season that never got underway.
SINGLES PLAYERS
Aron Bursztyn, Ward Melville, Soph.
He is a lefthander and an extremely consistent baseliner. He also is a two-time All-Suffolk selection in singles.
John Caprin, St. John the Baptist, Sr.
The team captain plays the top position for the Cougars and earned the Walter Lace Team Spirit Award for his positive energy during competition.
Christian Firescu, Kellenberg, Soph.
St. Anthony's head coach Curtis McCalla, celebrates with Brendan Keating, left, and Ronan McCormack of after their doubles win against Chaminade during the CHSAA boys tennis finals at Hofstra on May 16, 2019. Credit: Dawn McCormick/Dawn McCormick
He’s a fierce competitor who earned a starting spot in singles after he finished in the final four of the 2019 NSCHSAA junior varsity tournament.
Josh Kaplan, Westhampton, Jr.
As a sophomore, he reached the quarterfinals in the Suffolk tournament for the second straight season.
Michael Koscinski, Center Moriches, Sr.
Koscinski was a 2019 Suffolk tournament finalist and went undefeated in league play on the way to winning the Conference IV championship. He won his opening match at the state tournament.
Roslyn's Mikey Weitz serves as he and teammate Adrian Tsui advance after two match wins in boys doubles during the New York State boys tennis championship at the USTA National Tennis Center in Flushing on May 30, 2019. Credit: Patrick E. McCarthy
Matthew Kronenberg, Ward Melville, Jr.
He is a two-time All-Suffolk singles player. He hits with tremendous spin and strength.
Michael Kulikowski, Kellenberg, Jr.
He has been a starting singles player since freshman year. He mixes his shots well and won the 2019 NSCHSAA junior varsity singles tournament.
Jared Phillips, Plainview, Sr.
Connetquot's Alan Sabovic faces Saratoga's Nicholas Grosso in the opening round during the New York State boys tennis championships at the USTA National Tennis Center in Flushing, on May 30, 2019. Credit: Patrick E. McCarthy
He’s a four-year singles starter who has helped lead the Bulldogs to the Nassau semifinals each season. He will play for Washington University in St. Louis.
Chris Qi, Harborfields, Soph.
Coach Bob Davis believes Qi’s potential is ‘limitless.’ He is an All-Suffolk singles selection and finished second in the Division I tournament in 2019.
Rohan Reddy, Jericho, Sr.
He is an aggressive player who likes to dictate play with his forehand. He competed in numerous USTA national tournaments and found success in singles and doubles. He will be play for Johns Hopkins.
Connetquot's Alan Sabovic faces Saratoga's Nicholas Grosso in the opening round during the New York State boys tennis championships at the USTA National Tennis Center in Flushing, on May 30, 2019. Credit: Patrick E. McCarthy
Kyle Romero, St. John the Baptist, Jr.
He’s a spirited player, which complements his performance. He has been the top player for the Cougars since he was a freshman.
Alan Sabovic, Connetquot, Sr.
He’s 6-3 and has a crushing backhand with precise accuracy from the baseline. He earned a league title last season and placed third in Suffolk. He won two rounds in the 2019 state tournament and was awarded the state sportsmanship award.
Alex Smargiassi, Comsewogue, Sr.
Roslyn's Mikey Weitz serves as he and teammate Adrian Tsui advance after two match wins in boys doubles during the New York State boys tennis championship at the USTA National Tennis Center in Flushing on May 30, 2019. Credit: Patrick E. McCarthy
He was an All-Suffolk singles player in 2019. He leads the Warriors in singles play and as a team captain. He’ll play at Stony Brook.
Matt Strogach, Commack, Soph.
He is a three-time All-Suffolk selection and the top player for the Cougars. He strikes the ball exceptionally well and has become a well-rounded player with a lot of weapons.
Mike Weitz, Roslyn, Jr.
He was part of the 2019 Nassau doubles championship team and finished fourth in the state championship (with Adrian Tsui, class of 2019).
DOUBLES
St. Anthony's head coach Curtis McCalla, celebrates with Brendan Keating, left, and Ronan McCormack of after their doubles win against Chaminade during the CHSAA boys tennis finals at Hofstra on May 16, 2019. Credit: Dawn McCormick/Dawn McCormick
Vincent Fermo, Chaminade, Sr.
Matthew Doodian, Chaminade, Jr.
Fermo and Doodian are students of the game with a level-headed approach that turns each match into a chess match.
Logan Fliegel, Hewlett, Sr.
Stephen Gershfeld, Hewlett, Fr.
Fliegel and Gershfeld placed second in the 2019 Nassau tournament and advanced to the state championship. Fliegel is a tenacious competitor and Gershfeld is one of the top rising players in Nassau.
Jack O’Neill, Kellenberg, Soph.
Aedan O’Hara Kellenberg, Jr.
The adaptability of this duo to different strategies, power from the baseline and great court coverage will make this partnership difficult to beat. They easily transition between singles and doubles play.
Brendan Keating, St. Anthony’s, Sr.
Ronan McCormack, St. Anthony’s, Sr.
The duo led St. Anthony’s on the doubles court with their skills and leadership. The Friars were the Nassau-Suffolk Diocesan champions in 2018 and 2019.
Joseph Monticciolo, Ward Melville, Jr.
Robert Monticciolo, Ward Melville, 8th grade
Joseph is a returning All-Suffolk selection. He’s a lefty that excels in doubles play with his strong serve and volleys. Robert will be joining his brother to compete in doubles for the Patriots.
