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Teacher's favourite Ryan Storrie set to storm British tennis – from California Teacher's favourite Ryan Storrie set to storm British tennis – from California
(about 1 month later)
Wimbledon is over Wimbledon is over for another year, Andy Murray’s quarter-final exit having prompted the usual jittery chorus of speculation regarding where Britain's next home-grown contender might be found.
for another year, Andy Murray’s quarter-final exit having prompted the usual jittery chorus of speculation regarding where Britain's next home-grown contender might be found. With three players among the International Tennis Federation’s top 100 male juniors – albeit towards the bottom half of the list – Britain’s locker-room is far from bare. But while Rhett Purcell, Julian Cash and Joshua Sapwell are familiar faces to tennis aficionados in the UK, it could be that one of Britain’s brightest hopes has, until now at least, slipped quietly and in many ways unintentionally off the radar.
With three players among the “He’s a player with a lot of ability,” says coach Brian Teacher of Ryan Storrie – a 16-year-old former Ipswich Town academy footballer from Newmarket who has caused something of a ruckus in Californian men’s tennis over the past two years. “The juniors at Wimbledon next year is certainly a realistic target.”
International Tennis Federation’s top 100 male juniors – albeit towards the bottom half of the list – Britain’s On a cool, gun-metal grey early morning at the Arroyo Seco Racquet Club in South Pasadena, Los Angeles, Teacher arrives for one of he and Storrie’s thrice-weekly coaching sessions. Today’s lesson will be slightly shorter than usual, clocking in at a mere three-and-a-half hours as opposed to the more typical and grueling six. Alex Reichel, who flirted with the top 200 in the world back in 2006, is along as hitting partner and support coach.
locker-room is far from bare. But while Rhett Purcell, Julian Cash and Joshua Sapwell “He’s one of the best young players I’ve seen in a long time,” says Reichel, as he makes his way out to join Storrie on court. “And I’ve hit with some of the very best around, like [Pete] Sampras and those guys.”
are familiar faces to tennis aficionados in the UK, it Teacher, who has been coaching Storrie for the past two and a half years, has been a name behind some of tennis’ biggest headlines for more than three decades. A former world No7, his zenith as a player came in 1980 with an Australian Open singles triumph.
could be that one of Britain’s brightest hopes has, until now at least, slipped As a coach, he played an integral part in the first years of Andre Agassi’s storied career. Teacher is perhaps best remembered, however, for unlocking Greg Rusedski’s potential, shepherding the Canadian-born Briton from a world ranking of 85 to world No4 and a US Open final.
quietly and in many ways unintentionally off the radar. These days, Teacher has substituted the musical chairs of the ATP tour for a decidedly more subdued base in LA. He admits he is more selective regarding who he coaches, preferring to invest his time in young players who possess the requisite talent and, more importantly, the appetite to succeed. Players like Storrie.
“He’s a player with a lot of “He’s improving all the time, especially his net game,” Teacher says. “He volleys incredibly well for someone his age. But I think he’s right where he needs to be right now, in all aspects of his game.”
ability,” says coach Brian Teacher of Ryan Storrie – a 16-year-old former Ipswich Town academy footballer from Newmarket who Storrie, who turned 16 in February, is ranked No4 among 18-year-olds in talent-rich California – despite being allowed to compete in barely more than a handful of applicable tournaments. One of only four players in the state to enjoy Blue Chip status – an award given by tennis recruiters at college level to 25 players across the nation – he has also been one of two chosen to represent Southern California in the prestigious Maze Cup, again in the 18-year-old division.
has caused something of a ruckus in Californian men’s tennis over Storrie has, nevertheless, had something of a bumpy ride. As a UK citizen without a green card, he is barred from all Level 2 tournaments in California, as well as any nationals and sectionals. Essentially, this means that instead of climbing the ladder alongside players his own age, Storrie has had to pitch himself, starting at the age of 14, into the men’s open circuit. This has been something of a baptism of fire, seeing him pitted against players often twice his age and size, many of whom enjoy rankings on the ATP world tour.
the past two years. “The juniors at Wimbledon next year is Despite having the odds stacked against him, however, Storrie has flourished. Teacher says:
certainly a realistic target.” He’s got a strong will, you’ve got to love that about him. He’s shown how, if you work hard, you can do well. And they’re pretty good players he’s been playing in the men’s opens.
On a cool, gun-metal grey early In September, Storrie is due to begin competing on the ITF circuit. Teacher believes his young charge is more than ready.
morning at the Arroyo Seco Racquet Club in South Pasadena, Los “I said to him, ‘You now need to play ITFs.’ He needs more competition. He needs to be pushed now in both practice and in matches.”
Angeles, Teacher arrives for one of he and Storrie’s
thrice-weekly coaching sessions. Today’s lesson will be slightly shorter than usual, clocking in at a mere three-and-a-half
hours as opposed to the more typical and grueling six. Alex
Reichel, who flirted with the top 200 in the world back in 2006, is along as hitting partner and support coach.
“He’s one of the best young players
I’ve seen in a long time,” says Reichel, as he makes his way out
to join Storrie on court. “And I’ve hit with some of the very
best around, like [Pete] Sampras and those guys.”
Teacher, who has been coaching Storrie
for the past two and a half years, has been a name behind some of tennis’
biggest headlines for more than three decades. A former world
No7, his zenith as a player came in 1980 with an Australian
Open singles triumph.
As a coach, he played an integral part
in the first years of Andre Agassi’s storied career. Teacher is
perhaps best remembered, however, for unlocking Greg Rusedski’s potential,
shepherding the Canadian-born Briton from a world ranking of 85 to world
No4 and a US Open final.
These days, Teacher has substituted the
musical chairs of the ATP tour for a decidedly more
subdued base in LA. He admits he is more selective
regarding who he coaches, preferring to invest his time in young
players who possess the requisite talent and, more importantly, the appetite to succeed. Players like Storrie.
“He’s improving all the time,
especially his net game,” Teacher says. “He volleys incredibly
well for someone his age. But I think he’s right where he needs to
be right now, in all aspects of his game.”
Storrie, who turned 16 in February, is ranked No4 among 18-year-olds in talent-rich California – despite being allowed to compete in
barely more than a handful of applicable tournaments. One
of only four players in the state to enjoy Blue Chip status – an award
given by tennis recruiters at college level to 25 players across the nation – he has also been one of two chosen to
represent Southern California in the prestigious Maze Cup, again in
the 18-year-old division.
Storrie has, nevertheless, had something of a bumpy ride. As a UK
citizen without a green card, he is barred from all Level 2 tournaments in California, as well as any nationals
and sectionals. Essentially, this means that instead of climbing the ladder alongside players his own age, Storrie has had to pitch himself, starting at the age of 14, into
the men’s open circuit. This has been something of a baptism of fire, seeing him pitted against players often twice his age and size, many of whom
enjoy rankings on the ATP world tour.
Despite having the odds stacked against
him, however, Storrie has flourished. Teacher says:
He’s got a strong will, you’ve
got to love that about him. He’s shown how, if
you work hard, you can do well. And they’re pretty good players
he’s been playing in the men’s opens.
In September, Storrie is due to
begin competing on the ITF circuit. Teacher believes his young charge is more than ready.
“I said to him, ‘You now need to
play ITFs.’ He needs more competition. He needs
to be pushed now in both practice and in matches.”
'I had to choose between football and tennis''I had to choose between football and tennis'
Storrie – a taciturn type, though thoughtful rather than timid – started playing tennis when he Storrie – a taciturn type, though thoughtful rather than timid – started playing tennis when he was eight. As with most children at that age, he was testing the waters of more than one sport.
was eight. As with most children at that age, he “I was playing a lot of football,” he says. “I played for the Ipswich Town Football Academy. I even tried karate – once. Although I hated it. But it got that I had to choose between football and tennis, so I ended up choosing tennis.”
was testing the waters of more than one sport. Storrie got his start at the Newmarket Tennis Club, near where he grew up, and quickly attracted attention from scouts. The Hills Road High Performance Center – a Cambridge-based tennis academy – invited him to try out. Hills Road didn’t accept him immediately, but it performed a quick about-face when Storrie beat one of its players in a tournament two weeks later.
“I was playing a lot of football,” he says. “I played for the Ipswich Town Football Academy. I “He’s always had to prove himself,” says Wendy Storrie, Ryan’s mother. “Right from the get go, he’s always had to go out and show people that he’s got what it takes. It’s never just been gifted him.”
even tried karate – once. Although I hated it. But it got that I It wasn’t until Storrie switched to David Lloyd’s Tennis Academy, also in Cambridge, that he started to blossom. Within 10 months he was ranked No10 in the country for his age group.
had to choose between football and tennis, so I ended up choosing “He had a work ethic like nothing else – he never stopped learning,” says Andy Saunders, who coached Storrie for the two years he was at David Lloyd. “And that’s what’s really pulled him through, his desire to improve. I’ve never seen another kid like it. And I’m not surprised that he’s doing this well now.”
tennis.” Ryan’s father, Gordon, was working as an assistant to Newmarket racehorse trainer Simon Callaghan when, at the end of 2010, Callaghan revealed his intention to relocate to Santa Anita racetrack, in Los Angeles. Callaghan wanted Gordon along for the ride.
Storrie got his start at the Newmarket “I said to Wendy, ‘This is a great opportunity for Ryan to really develop his tennis,’” says the Polish Davis Cup team coach Nick Brown, who was first introduced to Storrie when Storrie was 10. “He’s just gone from strength to strength, which is fantastic. And he’s been working with a great guy.
Tennis Club, near where he grew up, and quickly attracted attention I saw Brian when I was playing, and saw what a great job he did with Greg Rusedski. He’s a little bit old-school in terms of getting the mechanics and technique right. But I’m a great believer that if you don’t have those basics, then you have no chance later on to perform at the top level.
from scouts. The Hills Road High Performance Center – a In a narrative torn from the pages of many an immigration tale, the Storries' arrival in California was a financial struggle. Due to the transient nature of the horseracing circuit, the whole family spent their first 10 months in the US living in a shared hotel room. When they moved into their current home they couldn’t afford to properly furnish it, leaving their tennis-playing prodigy to sleep on an air mattress.
Cambridge-based tennis academy – invited him to try out. Hills Road didn’t accept him immediately, but it performed a quick about-face when Storrie beat “He sooner wanted to spend the money on tennis lessons than have a proper bed,” says Wendy Storrie.
one of its players in a tournament two weeks later. Storrie’s foray into the California tennis circuit has had a similar touch of the David and Goliaths about it. As a 15-year old, for example, he held set point against Nicolas Meister, 25 and with a career-high singles rank of 305, the winner of multiple singles and doubles titles. And when as a 14 year-old Storrie played and lost against Jeff Tarango, his much older and more decorated opponent went on air during the US Open to sing Storrie’s praises.
“He’s always had to prove himself,” Gordon Storrie says that it is not unusual for much older players to try to intimidate his son. This has been most evident, he says, among teenagers worried about securing a full tennis scholarship to one of the nation’s top colleges:
says Wendy Storrie, Ryan’s mother. “Right from the get go, he’s always They would do their utmost to upset him, call him all the names under the sun, call balls out that were in, call him a cheat. After he’d beaten them, they would come up to him afterwards, shake his hand and try to break his knuckles.
had to go out and show people that he’s got what it takes. It’s “At the start, we didn’t understand what it all meant. We just thought it was a tennis match until one of the referees came up to us and explained how these guys have to maintain a certain win percentage to be offered a free scholarship to a huge college. That’s why they would get so hot under the collar. But it’s quite hard as a parent sitting on the sidelines listening to them abusing him when he’s just wanting to go out there and play tennis.”
never just been gifted him.” In light of recent comments made by Julien Hoferlin, to the effect that British tennis players are “too spoiled” to succeed, Gordon Storrie believes his son’s experiences over the past few years and his unbending work ethic will stand him in good stead as he stands on the cusp of the ITF circuit.
It wasn’t until Storrie switched to “He’s so enthusiastic. He wants to go to the gym and he’ll walk all the way home. Then he’ll barely be in the house 30 minutes and he wants to go out and play tennis again for three hours. Then, he wants to go to the track and run laps.
David Lloyd’s Tennis Academy, also in Cambridge, that he started to blossom. Within 10 months he was “I have to tell him: ‘You can’t operate like that.’ One of the most important parts of training is the rest period. He’s only just beginning to grasp that. But if he takes a day off, he’s so annoying. He’s got that much pent-up energy he hasn’t released.”
ranked No10 in the country for his age group.
“He had a work ethic like nothing
else – he never stopped learning,” says Andy Saunders, who
coached Storrie for the two years he was at David Lloyd. “And that’s what’s really pulled him through, his desire to
improve. I’ve never seen another kid like it. And I’m not
surprised that he’s doing this well now.”
Ryan’s father, Gordon, was working as
an assistant to Newmarket racehorse trainer Simon Callaghan when, at the end of 2010, Callaghan revealed his intention to relocate to Santa Anita
racetrack, in Los Angeles. Callaghan wanted
Gordon along for the ride.
“I said to Wendy, ‘This is a great
opportunity for Ryan to really develop his tennis,’” says the Polish
Davis Cup team coach Nick Brown, who was first introduced to Storrie
when Storrie was 10. “He’s just gone from strength to strength, which
is fantastic. And he’s been working with a great guy.
I saw Brian
when I was playing, and saw what a great job he did with Greg
Rusedski. He’s a little bit old-school in terms of getting the
mechanics and technique right. But I’m a great believer that if
you don’t have those basics, then you have no chance later on to
perform at the top level.
In a narrative torn from the pages of
many an immigration tale, the Storries' arrival in
California was a financial
struggle. Due to the transient nature of the horseracing circuit, the whole family spent their first 10 months in the US living in
a shared hotel room. When they moved into their
current home they couldn’t afford to properly furnish it,
leaving their tennis-playing prodigy to sleep on an air mattress.
“He sooner wanted to spend the money
on tennis lessons than have a proper bed,” says Wendy Storrie.
Storrie’s foray into the California
tennis circuit has had a similar touch of the David and Goliaths
about it. As a 15-year old, for example, he
held set point against Nicolas Meister, 25 and with a career-high singles rank of 305, the winner of multiple singles and doubles
titles. And when as a 14 year-old Storrie played and lost
against Jeff Tarango, his much older and more decorated opponent went on air during the US Open to sing Storrie’s
praises.
Gordon Storrie says that it is not
unusual for much older players to try to intimidate his son. This has been most
evident, he says, among teenagers worried about securing a full
tennis scholarship to one of the nation’s top colleges:
They would do their utmost to upset
him, call him all the names under the sun, call balls out that were
in, call him a cheat. After he’d beaten
them, they would come up to him afterwards, shake his hand and try to
break his knuckles.
“At the start, we didn’t understand what it all
meant. We just thought it was a tennis match until one of the
referees came up to us and explained how these guys have to maintain
a certain win percentage to be offered a free scholarship to a huge
college. That’s why they would get so hot under the collar. But
it’s quite hard as a parent sitting on the sidelines listening to
them abusing him when he’s just wanting to go out there and play
tennis.”
In light of
recent comments made by Julien Hoferlin, to the effect that British tennis players
are “too
spoiled” to succeed, Gordon Storrie believes his son’s
experiences over the past few years and his unbending work
ethic will stand him in good stead as he stands on the cusp of the
ITF circuit.
“He’s so enthusiastic. He wants to go to the gym and he’ll walk all the
way home. Then he’ll barely be in the house 30 minutes and he
wants to go out and play tennis again for three hours. Then, he wants
to go to the track and run laps.
“I have to tell him: ‘You can’t
operate like that.’ One of the most important parts of training is
the rest period. He’s only just beginning to grasp that. But if he
takes a day off, he’s so annoying. He’s got that much pent-up
energy he hasn’t released.”
'Ryan doesn't have that one big weapon – yet''Ryan doesn't have that one big weapon – yet'
At the Arroyo Seco Racquet Club, three hours into Storrie’s training At the Arroyo Seco Racquet Club, three hours into Storrie’s training session, the June gloom has burned away and the mercury is climbing steadily – as are the number of Teacher’s critiques, disseminated between increasingly shorter intervals:
session, the June gloom has burned away and the mercury is climbing “See that, you hesitated just a split second”; “You’ve got to work on that so it becomes second nature”; “Keep that wrist firm”; “Feel that, a little jolt – keep your upper body smooth and relaxed”.
steadily – as are the number of Teacher’s critiques, disseminated When Storrie does something right, the praise is fleeting but sincere. “Take it early, just like you did then,” says Teacher. “Guys aren’t gonna have a chance against a ball like that.”
between increasingly shorter intervals: At about 5ft 10in, Storrie is a good height for his age, but still a few inches short of what is widely desired in a top tennis player. And as you might expect for a 16-year-old, he is far from the finished article physically – still more a yearling than a battle-hardened racehorse.
“See that, you hesitated One of the reasons fewer male players are making an immediate mark when they leave the junior ranks, Teacher says, is the sheer physicality of the modern sport – a dynamic that places an emphasis on height and raw power. As such, Teacher has spent time developing all aspects of Storrie’s game, to compensate for what he might lack in brute strength.
just a split second”; “You’ve got to work on that so it becomes “Ryan doesn’t have that one big weapon, as yet,” says his coach. “But you see these guys with the massive serves, they just stand there on the baseline pounding away. They don’t know how to get to the net, or what to do once they’re there.”
second nature”; “Keep that wrist firm”; “Feel that, a little In that respect, Teacher sees few similarities between Storrie and Rusedski, who was known for his tectonic serve. It is in the Spaniard David Ferrer, a player with a tough-as-teak all-round game, in whom Teacher finds the closest resemblance.
jolt – keep your upper body smooth and relaxed”. If you look at Ferrer, he competes ferociously – he’s like a pitbull. He’s one of the toughest competitors out there pound for pound, and Ryan’s got to look up to players like him.
When Storrie does something right, the John Letts, who has shared coaching duties with Teacher for the past few years, agrees that Storrie has a more rounded game than players who become too reliant upon one big weapon.
praise is fleeting but sincere. “Take it early, just like you did “The player he most reminds me of is Mikael Pernfors,” says Letts, who reached the quarter-finals in doubles at the 1985 Australian Open. “He didn’t have anything super big, but the thing with Michael was that he had great court sense. He understood the geometry of the court, knew when to hit hard, when to take pace off, knew where to be.
then,” says Teacher. “Guys aren’t gonna have a chance against a ball like that.” “It’s kind of an intangible – it’s not something you can teach so much, it’s more of an understanding of the whole court, and excellent hand-eye control to put the ball where you want it. Those are the kinds of things Brian and I see in Ryan.”
At about 5ft 10in, Storrie is a When it comes to distinguishing a good player from a great one, Letts points to the subtle differences, as well as to individual drive and desire.
good height for his age, but still a few inches short of what is “You watch guys warming up at an elite level, you can’t tell the difference. It gets to the intangibles,” said Letts. “And that boils down to the time you put in off the court. [Storrie’s] a guy who will work his tail off with a really good positive attitude, never slacks off on the court, and … listens very intently. He wants it, and that’s something that you don’t see all the time.
widely desired in a top tennis player. And as you might expect for a 16-year-old, he is far from the finished article physically – still Brian and I see a lot of kids who achieve a lot, but they’re getting pushed by their parents. They’re not there for the long haul. It comes from a desire from within.
more a yearling than a battle-hardened racehorse. It helps, says Letts, when parents have an understanding of the personal sacrifices entailed in getting to the top of any sport. Both of Storrie’s parents have an athletic background. Gordon Storrie was a talented distance runner who competed against likes of Paul Evans, a veteran of two Olympic games, and Olympic champion Steve Ovett. Wendy Storrie is a former steeplechase jockey who recalls beating champion jockey Richard Dunwoody by a nostril in a three-and-a-half mile hurdle in her first competitive race.
One of the reasons fewer male A year before Wimbledon comes round again, Storrie himself is pragmatic about what he must first achieve on the ITF circuit. But he is encouraged by the performance of a 17-year-old American, Logan Smith, in this year’s boys' singles in London.
players are making an immediate mark when they leave the junior In June, Storrie took Smith to three sets in the quarter-finals of the National Open Hard Court Championships, in San Diego. And while Smith was dispatched in the third round at Wimbledon, it was by last year’s runner-up, Hyeon Chung of South Korea, who beat this year’s Wimbledon sensation, Nick Kyrgios, the conqueror of Rafael Nadal, on his way to that 2013 final.
ranks, Teacher says, is the sheer physicality of the modern sport – a “Before Wimbledon, I just want to win a few ITFs,” says Storrie. “In the long term, though, I want to be good enough to be No1 in Britain.”
dynamic that places an emphasis on height and raw power. As such,
Teacher has spent time developing all aspects of Storrie’s game, to
compensate for what he might lack in brute strength.
“Ryan doesn’t have that one big
weapon, as yet,” says his coach. “But you see these guys with the
massive serves, they just stand there on the baseline pounding away.
They don’t know how to get to the net, or what to do once they’re
there.”
In that respect, Teacher sees few
similarities between Storrie and Rusedski, who was known for his tectonic
serve. It is in the Spaniard David Ferrer, a player with a tough-as-teak all-round
game, in whom Teacher finds the closest resemblance.
If you look at Ferrer, he competes
ferociously – he’s like a pitbull. He’s one of the toughest
competitors out there pound for pound, and Ryan’s got to look up to
players like him.
John Letts, who has
shared coaching duties with Teacher for the past few years, agrees that Storrie
has a more rounded game than players who become too reliant upon one
big weapon.
“The player he most reminds me of is
Mikael Pernfors,” says Letts, who reached the quarter-finals in
doubles at the 1985 Australian Open. “He didn’t have anything
super big, but the thing with Michael was that he had great court
sense. He understood the geometry of the court, knew when to hit
hard, when to take pace off, knew where to be.
“It’s kind of an
intangible – it’s not something you can teach so much, it’s
more of an understanding of the whole court, and excellent hand-eye
control to put the ball where you want it. Those are the kinds of
things Brian and I see in Ryan.”
When it comes to distinguishing a good
player from a great one, Letts points to the subtle differences, as
well as to individual drive and desire.
“You watch guys warming up at an
elite level, you can’t tell the difference. It gets to the
intangibles,” said Letts. “And that boils down to the time you
put in off the court. [Storrie’s] a guy who will work his tail off
with a really good positive attitude, never slacks off on the court,
and … listens very intently. He wants it, and that’s
something that you don’t see all the time.
Brian and I see a lot of
kids who achieve a lot, but they’re getting pushed by their
parents. They’re not there for the long haul. It comes from a
desire from within.
It helps, says Letts, when parents have
an understanding of the personal sacrifices entailed in getting to
the top of any sport. Both of Storrie’s parents have an
athletic background. Gordon Storrie was a talented distance runner
who competed against likes of Paul Evans, a veteran of two
Olympic games, and Olympic champion Steve Ovett. Wendy Storrie is a
former steeplechase jockey who recalls beating champion jockey
Richard Dunwoody by a nostril in a three-and-a-half mile hurdle in
her first competitive race.
A year before Wimbledon
comes round again, Storrie himself is pragmatic about what he must first achieve on the ITF
circuit. But he is encouraged by the performance of
a 17-year-old American, Logan Smith, in this year’s boys' singles in London.
In June, Storrie took Smith to three
sets in the quarter-finals of the National Open Hard Court
Championships, in San Diego. And while Smith was dispatched in the
third round at Wimbledon, it was by last year’s
runner-up, Hyeon Chung of South Korea, who beat this year’s
Wimbledon sensation, Nick Kyrgios, the conqueror of Rafael Nadal, on his way to
that 2013 final.
“Before Wimbledon, I just want to win
a few ITFs,” says Storrie. “In the long term, though, I want to
be good enough to be No1 in Britain.”