Lucas Hammond

Lucas Hammond (8) and Cesar Castro (10), doubles partners for Summerlin Tennis—the USTA Intermountain section entry in the USTA Jr. Team Tennis National Championships 14-U Intermediate Division—define the “under” in 14-and-under. But it would be a big mistake to underestimate them.

The duo, the youngest players here at the National Championships, split their two matches on opening day, losing narrowly (6-5, 6-5) to Flight 1 leaders WFDL Challengers of Fon Du Lac, WI from the USTA Midwest section, then topping the Fridley (MN) Flamin’ Flamingos of USTA Northern, 6-4 and 6-0 on Friday evening.

“It’s been fun,” said Hammond, whose father Gordon, the team’s coach, arrived in Mobile today after leading the Bishop Gorman HS girls team to its fifth straight Nevada state title yesterday. “Sometimes I get killed by the older kids I play, but I just try to do my best.”

The older kids on their own team, both agree, have been very supportive.

“They’ve all been really nice,” said Castro, who, like Hammond, hopes to one day play tennis professionally.

Until then, the two players still have long careers ahead of them in the 14-and-under division.