Gender Guilt

Maybe I’m getting soft in my old age, but ever since I wrote the last post on the boys’ results from Kalamazoo, I’ve been feeling a little guilty for ignoring the results in the same hard-court championships for girls. It’s an easy thing to do for two reasons: First, while plenty of potentially great boys are still playing in juniors at 17-years-plus, many of the most gifted girls of that age have already embarked on pro careers. Second, “the Zoo” is a storied event with a rich history and tradition—it ranks right behind the junior Grand Slams and Orange Bowl as a coveted title for U.S. players. The same can’t be said for the girls hard-court nationals, which are held in San Diego.

Still, let’s congratulate Mary Gambale of Billerica, Mass., winner of the girls’ 18-and-under in San Diego. Just like Donald Young, the King of the Zoo, she gets a wild card into the main draw of the U.S. Open. The doubles winners in the girls’ 18s were singles runner-up Alexa Glatch and Vania King.

If you want the full rundown of winners from the hard-court nationals, just click here. And a hat-tip to Marcia Frost, editor of a website dedicated to covering the junior and college games.