Chase Robinson Shows Off Family Genes in Florida Finish

Chase Robinson Shows Off Family Genes in Florida Finish
By John Packett
The Little Mo International Junior Tennis Championships bring together some of the best young players from
around the world, competing in age groups ranging from 8-­‐year-­‐olds through 12-­‐year-­‐olds.
So maybe you’d be amazed to learn that a Richmond native made his presence felt in one of the divisions.
Then again, when you realize that the local player is Chase Robinson, son of area teaching pro Cris Robinson and
2002 Virginia State Clay Court champion Melissa Robinson, perhaps it’s not so surprising.
No lack of fine tennis genes in that boy’s DNA!
Cris Robinson made a name for himself as a tough-­‐minded, determined baseliner in the high school and college
ranks, and went on to capture the National Amateur Clay Court Championships, along with five other USTA gold
He’s now the director of tennis at Willow Oaks Country Club, after previously serving in that role at Robious Sports
and Fitness Center.
Chase Robinson, a third-­‐grader at Veritas Classical Christian School, began what appears to be a budding career of
his own when he won the consolation singles bracket in the 8-­‐year-­‐old division of the tournament, held Dec. 7-­‐11
at Palm Beach Gardens, Fla.
After losing his opening match in the main draw to the eventual champion, Chase claimed four victories in the
back draw, including a walkover in the final when his opponent, Great Britain native Raphie Reeves, had to leave
early because of a pre-­‐booked flight.
“The experience of being in a different arena [was important],” said Cris Robinson. “You get used to playing in
tournaments in Richmond and then you want to expand from that. So you go to the Mid-­‐Atlantic for a little bit
and then that starts to be a lot of the same kids.
“But this was an opportunity to see a little snapshot of what the world looks like and different players from
around the world. It was a valuable experience to see that tennis is played at good levels from all different parts
of the world.”
There were more than 250 players (boys and girls ages 8-­‐12) representing 34 countries. The tournament is run by
the Maureen “Little Mo” Connolly Brinker Tennis Foundation, named for the first woman to capture the Grand
Slam (Australian, French, Wimbledon and U.S. championships) in the same year.
The 8-­‐year-­‐old division was played on regulation-­‐size clay courts, using a normal net but a green-­‐dot ball, which
“has 25 percent less bounce,” according to Cris Robinson. “So for the younger, smaller kids, it’s not bouncing as
high. Gives them more time to get to the ball.
“They can ideally keep the ball in their strike zone more often and that encourages proper technique.”
In addition to singles, Chase played in doubles (reaching the semifinals) and mixed (losing in the first round).
“I think it does help his confidence,” said Cris Robinson. “Certainly being able to pull off a victory in a close match
gives you good feelings.”
Actually, Chase got off to a slow start, losing to Ignacio Buse of Peru 6-­‐0, 6-­‐0 in the main draw. Buse went on to
roll through the draw, dropping only 10 games in five matches.

“He was pretty discouraged after the first one,” said his dad. “All the buildup and traveling and the different
things we had talked about working on. He said at the end of the match, ‘Dad, I didn’t even get to work on my
list.’ The guy never really let him in the match.”
But Chase came back strong, winning a two-­‐hour, 40-­‐minute marathon to open the consolation round and pulling
out a two-­‐hour, 15-­‐minute semifinal. He played over six hours of matches in one day, and commented for this
article, “Yeah, I did get tired.”
Cris Robinson said he thought Chase and Raphie would be able to play their consolation final next year in New
York (where Reeves is living) when the two youngsters will be competing in another Little Mo tournament at
Forest Hills prior to the U.S. Open.
“We got his address and we’re going to hopefully meet up another day and play the match eventually … for the
fun of it,” said Cris.
Chase received a large trophy for finishing as the consolation winner. “I thought it was really big and nice,” he
said.
“It was very exciting,” said his dad. “I had to pull him off the doubles court, where they were warming up, for the
trophy presentation.”
Chase, who has been around tennis since he was a baby with his dad teaching in Richmond, is ranked 26 th in the
Mid-­‐Atlantic 10-­‐and-­‐unders, while sister, 7-­‐year-­‐old Ella, is No. 41 . Mia, 5, is an up-­‐and-­‐comer on the courts. Both
Ella and Mia are also into gymnastics.
Cris Robinson said he was impressed with the Little Mo organization and will promote the tournaments in
Richmond. He was also approached about the possibility of providing a host site for a 2013 sectional event.
“One thing I really liked is that it was 8-­‐year-­‐olds against 8-­‐year-­‐olds and 9 against 9, 10 against 10, and so forth,”
said Robinson. “So you don’t have the sense of 8-­‐year-­‐olds playing in a 10-­‐and-­‐under event, which is a far
different competition, being two years older.
“Also having doubles and mixed doubles was fantastic. So you know you’re going to get at least two singles
matches, one doubles and one mixed. At least four times on court. That makes the trip feel a little more
worthwhile.
“For me professionally, I’m very interested in the 10-­‐and-­‐under tennis [initiative by the USTA to start kids younger
on smaller courts with lighter balls] and the player development and growth and the progression of that
[program].”
Chase, who was also accompanied on the trip by his grandfather, Tom Mason, played with and against players
from Peru, Bermuda, Guatemala, Egypt, Bahamas, as well as the states of Alabama, Oklahoma, Florida and Texas.
The tournament was held at the beautiful PGA National Resort and Spa, which has hosted the Ryder Cup and PGA
“It was a really neat experience,” said Cris Robinson. “I think it will provide opportunities for me professionally,
and hopefully, the whole Richmond community, once they hear about it and know about it and maybe get
involved in it.”
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This is the kind of article the RTA web site would like to write more often. If any parents, friends, pros and coaches
know of players who have done well on the court in out-­‐of-­‐town tournaments or have other tennis
accomplishments please send us the information for publication. You can send it to Bridget Reichert at
breichert@richmondtennis.org.