For Tennis Parents by a Tennis Parent

Sixteen of the world’s top boys’ 12-and-under players battled for the title of 2013 Longines Future Tennis Aces champion last week, with Germany’s Rudolf Molleker finally taking home the championship in a dominating performance. For the first time, the tournament was played in front of the Hotel de Ville (City Hall) in the center of Paris.

Molleker defeated Carlos Sanchez Jover of Spain 4-1, 4-0 in the final in the fourth annual tournament. Following the final match, the two had the opportunity to meet Longines Rising Tennis Stars Ryan Harrison [Note: I got to see Ryan’s match vs. John Isner at Roland Garros. More on that when I return to the States next week!] and Sabine Lisicki and teamed with Fabrice Santoro, patron of the 2013 edition of the Longines Future Tennis Aces, and former ATP star Arnaud Clément of France, friend of Longines, in an exhibition doubles match.

Molleker dropped just five games in four matches en route to the title. Both finalists won a Longines watch and will receive tennis equipment courtesy of Longines until their 16th birthday. Countries participating in Future Tennis Aces program included Australia, China, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Poland, Russia, Singapore, Spain, Switzerland, Taiwan, United Kingdom and the U.S. The United States representative at the event was Adam Neff of Bradenton, Fla., who faced Molleker in the first round.

Longines has been the official Partner and Timekeeper of the French Open at Roland Garros since 2007. For the first time this year, the U.S. representative was selected by virtue of winning the USTA Boys’ 12s National Spring Championships played in Delray Beach, Fla., in April. The Longines Future Tennis Aces tournament is part of Longines’ global commitment to support and develop tennis’ superstars of tomorrow.

LONGINES
Longines has been based at Saint-Imier, Switzerland, since 1832. Its watchmaking expertise reflects a strong devotion to tradition, elegance and performance. It has generations of experience as the official timekeeper at world championships and as a partner of international sports federations. Over the years, the brand has built strong and long-lasting links with the equestrian sports. Longines is a member of The Swatch Group S.A., the world’s leading manufacturer of horological products. With an excellent reputation for creating refined timepieces, the brand, whose emblem is the winged hourglass, has outlets in over 130 countries.