...Another player that had the tournament of his life, was one of Las Vegas' best tennis products, Kevin Bradley. Kevin, as a young junior player started later then his peers, but with determination worked at his game until he became the high school state champion and a nationally ranked junior. He then went on to get a full scholarship to the University of San Diego, where he was ranked 14 in the nation division 1. That year Kevin Bradley was vying for the only scholarship slot USD had to offer. In his freshman year he went 49 wins and 11 losses and went undefeated at #2 doubles. His highest NCAA ranking was 12 in doubles and 41 in singles. Eventually Kevin graduated and played on the men's tour for 4 years - holding a world ranking for all four years. His pro career highlight was winning a satellite tournament in Switzerland and a win over a #80 in the world player and Jan Micheal Gambill. Behind Agassi, and David Pate, Kevin Bradley is the third best player that I know of that came out of Las Vegas junior tennis . After being the journey man on the pro tour for a number of years, Bradley came back to his roots and started teaching at ClubSport Green Valley. For over eight years he has been one of the most sought after pros, and often complied by extending his schedule and making tennis something he dedicated most of his time to. This took him away from playing tournaments himself, but each year he would come out of retirment and play with one of his students in the annual adult grandslam of the season, "The Stacy Darling". He is the most winningest open player in Stacy Darling History, one year winning all three; singles, doubles and mixed. His students have always been top players, with many winning state high school tennis championships. Chasen Cohen, Mike Schuldt, Jamie Marshall, Gia Cappiello, John Fayeghi, Matt Hedegaard. In fact, just this past year Dominique Aubry won the State high school tennis championship in singles as a sophomore. Of his past students two are presently on full ride scholarships: Jamie Marshall at Oregon, and Jessica Watts, full ride at University of Utah. Jonathan Fayeghi presently plays Division 1 tennis for UNLV's mens team.

 

This year's Stacy darling would be special though. Bradley, after 8 years at ClubSport, decided a week prior to the event to end his tenure at ClubSport and to go out on his own. It is a good story, because Kevin has long been more of a teacher in the last few years than a player. I have called him numerous times to get him in draws but he could never play. His teaching schedule alone had him at the club past 9pm each night and he was too busy preparting his juniors and 3.5 ladies for their tournaments. But this time "I wanted to win" Bradley explained. The tournament has always meant somthing to him, and this year he set out to make an impact, and he did. He won the men's doubles, beating Tim Blenkiuron and Jonathan Ribaste in 3 sets. He did this with a student Chasen Cohen. He then won the mixed doubles with another student, Brittany Hanna. This was not a weak draw either. Kevin and Brittany beat a top team of Kobi Ziv, who has wins over Leytonn Hewitt and Mirat Safin, and his partner Pamela Trump, who played for USC and was top 10 as a junior.

 

It was a beautiful way to go out, and into his new entrepreneurial adventure. Bradley is one of this towns best pro's. I have witnessed his following over the years and he has always had a can do attitude. Not everyone has this. It is the key ingredient to winning verses losing. I have no doubt in my mind that what ever he gets involved with, will work out perfectly. Right now he has established Bradley Tennis Academy and is running his program out of Sunset Park on the east side.To contact him call his cell at 702-460-8083. He also does his mixed doubles mixer Friday nights at Sunset park. I know many at ClubSport will feel his absence, but to quote Bradley, "It was time to move on and take my game to the next level."