Rich: Welcome back to Denver. How does it feel to be home for a little while?

Kellen: It’s alright. I have to do a lot of homework. But it’s good because I get to see my parents and friends.

Rich: How are you able to keep up with school with such a busy tennis schedule?

Kellen: Well, I’m taking classes online so I can study and finish courses on the road and I also have tutors helping me.

Rich: What’s your favorite subject?

Kellen: Spanish.

Rich: You just came back from the Easter Bowl in Palm Springs where you had a tough loss. Tell me about your match.

Kellen: I never do well at the Easter Bowl. I lost to Matt Bruch. I guess I was tired and he played pretty well. I let him get into my head.

Rich: Well, we’ve worked a lot on your mental toughness and positive attitude in the past. So, you’re still having some trouble with it?

Kellen: Oh no, it’s a lot better now. I guess I just needed a break.

Rich: You’ve recently won a big tournament in Malaysia and got to the finals of another in Indonesia. Tell me about your experiences there.

Kellen: I lost in the finals of a Grade 2 tournament in Salon Pas, Indonesia to Robin Roshardt from Switzerland. I was down 7-6, 4-1 and I had to retire because of heat exhaustion and cramping. The tournament in Indonesia was pretty easy though. Malyasia was a lot tougher. I had my best match ever winning the Grade 1 in Malaysia. I beat Andrew Kennaugh from Great Britain 5-7, 7-6, 7-6. I hit a huge serve in the third set tiebreak to win the match. It was awesome!

Rich: Would you explain the different grades of tournaments?

Kellen: Sure. Grade A offers the most ranking points and they include the Junior Grand Slams as well as bonus points to the winners. Grade B is for regional championships and Grade C is for team competitions. And then there’s Grade 1-5. Grade 5 tournaments offer the least ranking points and it’s where I started playing the ITF Circuit.

Rich: I bet you’re excited about playing the Junior French Open and Wimbledon. What’s your full schedule like this Summer?

Kellen: Well, first I have Junior Davis Cup and then I go to the Italian Open which is Grade A and then to the Astrid Bowl in Belgium (Grade 1) and then to the French Open (Grade A). I come back to practice on grass with Andy and then I head to Roehampton which is another Grade 1 and then to Wimbledon (Grade A) and then I have some training time before Kalamazoo.

Rich: You’re going to practice with Andy Roddick?

Kellen: Yeah, I’ve practiced with him a bunch of times in Texas.

Rich: What is that like? Have you ever played a set with him?

Kellen: It’s pretty fun. He’s a really cool guy. We play butts-up and he always hits me. We haven’t played a set yet.

Rich: Is Andy Roddick your favorite player?

Kellen: Yeah. I also like Nadal.

Rich: Why don’t you like Federer?

Kellen: Because everyone likes Federer.

Rich: Have you hit with any other pros?

Kellen: I practiced with Jennifer Capriati once and Chanda Rubin.

Rich: I noticed you switched racquets to the Babolat Aeropro Drive.

Kellen: Yeah, it’s the same one Nadal uses. It has a lot power. I like it.

Rich: I’m sure you know if you win the Nationals in Kalamazoo, Michigan you get wildcard into the Men’s U.S. Open. What if you have to play Andy Roddick in the first round like Scoville Jenkins did last year?

Kellen: That would be awesome! That’s my plan - to win Kalamazoo and get a wildcard into the U.S Open.

Rich: You’re going to invite me when that happens, right?

Kellen: Definitely. You can even come to Wimbledon this Summer. My Mom is renting a house there.

Rich: Cool! I will take you up on that offer. So, what’s your current junior world ranking in singles and doubles?

Kellen: Well, they combine points from both singles and doubles. I’m ranked 38th.

Rich: Wow, that’s great! Have you played against any of the top 10 players?

Kellen: Yeah, I’ve played against Donald Young who is #1 and I almost beat Robin Haase who is ranked #5. I lost to him 6-4 in the third.

Rich: You’re heading back to Texas next week. Tell me about your typical day at John Roddick’s Academy.

Kellen: A typical day in Texas - wake up at 8, practice 9-11:30 then do some conditioning, lunch break, play practice matches from 3-5:30 and then we’re supposed to do homework, have dinner and that’s it.

Rich: Who’s your best friend there?

Kellen: Nate Schnugg. We room together and he’s my doubles partner.

Rich: Your sister Krista is also at the Academy. How is she doing with her tennis?

Kellen: Good. She got to the finals of the Orange Bowl and she might be going to Morocco and Tunisia for some tournaments.

Rich: Does John Roddick coach her too?

Kellen: No, Christina Moros is her coach.

Rich: How big is the Academy? And what do you do there besides tennis?

Kellen: It’s a small Academy. There are only two pros and two trainers. There are about 10 boys and 4 girls. I practice a lot with Nate Schnugg, Jason Mcnaughton, Jay Wong and Spencer Vegosen, who are all really solid players. We hang out a lot when we’re not playing. We go to the movies, listen to music, talk about girls and stuff.

Rich: Speaking of girls… So, you’re going to the Prom on Saturday. How did you get so lucky being only a sophmore?

Kellen: How do you know about that?

Rich: Your Mom told me.

Kellen: Oh. Yeah, she’s cool. I have to catch a flight back to Texas in the morning right after Prom.

Rich: Back to tennis… As a junior player I had a few different coaches and trainers. Tell me about some of the coaches here in Colorado that have helped you develop your game these past couple of years.

Kellen: Well, you’ve helped me a great deal with my technique and constructing points as well as other parts of my game. I had my breakout tournaments traveling with you and winning my first two National Opens in Michigan and Pennsylvania last year. Gary Seymour has also been a great hitting coach, Scott Ford has worked on my mental game and Cary Hodges has also helped me out a lot.

Rich: This is our last practice session together before you head back to Texas. Are you ready to challenge me in a practice match?

Kellen: Oh, yeah!

Rich Benvin has coached Kellen Damico and Krista Damico as well as other top junior and professional players. Rich is available for private and group lessons, team coaching, match play and racquet stringing. Visit www.richbenvin.com for more information and pictures. Send an email to Rich at richb(at)mentornet.com


Kellen Damico and Jennifer Capriati

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