By Mitch Lehman
Bryce Pereira, a junior at San Marino High School and his partner, Ivan Thamma, captured the USTA Junior National Tennis Boys’ 16s Doubles title at Kalamazoo, Mich. They defeated William Howells and Danny Thomas, 2-6, 6-1, 6-1, in the final. Pereira and Thamma, a junior attending Point Loma High School, have played together since they were 12 and competed as a tandem in all the USTA National events this year.
Pereira told The Tribune he and his partner used the memorabilia on display at Kalamazoo for inspiration.
“For every match, we warmed up at the indoor courts where we would pass the display case that has Agassi, Sampras, Ashe,” said Pereira. “I remember saying to Ivan ‘we’re going to be up there some day.’”
For his victory, Pereira received the coveted ‘gold ball’ for winning a national championship – his third – following the 2011 Winter Nationals and the 2013 Easter Bowl. It equals the three gold balls won by his sister Alexis, who plays collegiate tennis at TCU.
For the full story, see the print edition of the San Marino Tribune, or download the e-edition.
