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Weston Tennis Whiz, 8, Wins New Haven Tournament

WESTON, Conn. – Weston Racquet Club tennis player Olivia Wen won the first annual 8-and-under invitational tournament at the New Haven Open, the highlight of a busy and successful summer on the courts for the young girl.

Wen defeated Audrey Magnusen, 7-3, 7-6, in the finals. She served two aces to win the first set, and clinched the match by winning a sudden-death point at 6-6 in the second set.

“She was actually physically shivering with all the excitement, and perhaps nervousness,” her father, Warren, said. “She didn’t go to bed until past midnight that evening as she still was so amazed at her experience.”

Wen is coached by Angelo Rossetti, the director of tennis at Ivan Lendl’s Weston Racquet Club. During the week, she frequently plays her fraternal twin sister, Vivian, and at the family’s home court. Olivia also helped WRC win the United States Tennis Association 8-and-under team state championship earlier this year and participated in a 10-and-under tennis demonstration at the U.S. Open as part of the USTA’s National Teacher’s Conference.

“Olivia rarely misses a lesson, is always on time, but more importantly has a genuine love for the game and is a true example of sportsmanship,” Rossetti said.

Wen, who also ice skates and plays the piano, even caught the attention of other young players at New Haven. When she was awaiting an autograph from Caroline Wozniacki, a girl asked Olivia for her autograph. She was stunned as she signed a large fuzzy yellow tennis ball. "I was there getting autographs from Caroline Wozniacki. I never thought I would be signing one. It was so cool!" 

Norwalk’s Prem Dave, who also plays out of Weston Racquet Club, went undefeated en route to playing in the doubles final in New Haven. Wen and Prem train under the QuickStart system, which utilizes age appropriate equipment–smaller racquets, lower compression balls, smaller courts–to make the game more enjoyable for young learners.

With her splendid summer over, Olivia will concentrate on helping WRC win a second straight 10-and-under team title. For more information about the club, visit its website at www.westonracquet.com.

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