PORT TOWNSEND — Fort Worden State Park will break in its freshly renovated digs in style on Saturday, July 28, with a free professional tennis exhibition and tennis clinic.
The facelift of Fort Worden’s two courts was recently completed in early July with new fence posts and surfaces installed.
University of Washington men’s coach Matt Anger will then see if he can tame his own pupil, 2007 All-American Alex Slovic, in an exhibition match on the new-and-improved grounds.
Following the match, the two tennis gurus will put on a clinic sponsored in conjunction with Jefferson County Community Tennis Association.
The event is scheduled to last from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Also providing instruction will be Silverdale’s June Wurden — a top ranked Senior National Women’s 70’s player.
Sequim’s Class 2A girls state championship team will be on hand as well.
“The event is to allow our community and guests of Fort Worden to get a first hand look at professional tennis and show how you can start at any age, compete and play through your golden years,” association president Julie Jablonski said in a news release.
Once ranked No. 23
Anger is a former tennis professional, ranked as high as No. 23 by the ATP in 1986.
He also saw his share of success on tennis’ biggest stages.
Starting with the Australian Open in 1985 through Wimbledon in 1987, no American male won more Grand Slam singles matches.
In that span, Anger reached the round of 16 at both the U.S. Open and Wimbledon in 1986, advanced to the third round of the Australian Open in 1985 and 1987, and also Wimbledon in 1987.
He has professional singles or doubles victories over Pete Sampras, John McEnroe, Boris Becker and Mats Wilander.
And Anger has several Quimper Peninsula ties, with his mother and grandmother both spending time in Port Townsend.
“I’m pleased to help Fort Worden State Park celebrate its tennis court improvements,” he said in a news release. “Fort Worden is a special place for my family.
“My grandparents Jean and Bob Hardy met at Fort Worden, and my great uncle is Dick McCurdy, whom the pavilion is named for.”
Slovic is a Husky All-American with a school-record 184 combined wins and 83 doubles victories.
He was a Pac-10 Championship singles and doubles finalist in 2007.
His 101 singles wins are fourth most in school history and he is a four-time All-Pac-10 team member.
The event begins at 10 a.m. with the singles exhibition match between Anger and Slovic.
Pro and local players will square off in doubles exhibition matches at 11 a.m.
“Bleachers will be available for viewing the matches,” Steve Shively, Fort Worden State Park Conference Programs and Services Manager, said.
For more information, contact, Shively at 360-344-4406, or Julie Jablonski at admin@jeffersoncountytennis.com.
Those interested can also visit www.jeffersoncountytennis.org.
