NEW YORK TENNIS MAGAZINE’S
J U N I O R P L AY E R S P O T L I G H T BY BRIAN COLEMAN
C AT H E R I N A K R E S P I R O O S E V E LT I S L A N D R A C Q U E T C L U B hen Catherina Krespi dition to the team, and she is a was a little girl, her natural leader.” mother would spend Her on-court success is the remost Saturdays playing sult of a lot of hard work over the tennis. Because she looked up to her last few years, most notably, her mother, she naturally began to take a time spent at Roosevelt Island. liking to the sport. Her game was very raw when she “My mom was a really big influence first started receiving formal trainon me,” Catherina said. “I would aling, and her hard work has helped ways ask where she was and she produce that well-rounded game would be out playing tennis. Soon I that Forman refers to. Krespi even started taking private lessons.” recalls a time when she was Krespi, who also goes by the name younger and was struggling with “Kat,” was born and raised in Manher serve. Xavier Luna, Director of hattan and, now a freshman in high Junior Tennis for Roosevelt Island school, trains at Roosevelt Island Racquet Club, noticed that she Racquet Club where she has been for wasn’t using a Continental Grip, about seven years. This past fall, she and so he had her serve for over made the varsity team at Columbia an hour with the proper grip until Grammar and Preparatory where she she became comfortable. helped lead the Lions to a perfect “Now my serve is one of the season. strongest points of my game,” Despite being just a freshman, said Krespi. “I owe Xavier for that. Krespi was integral to her team’s sucOur relationship is really close. I cess this past season. She played in can always approach him about the third singles spot and went undeanything. He is a really good feated as Columbia Prep captured Catherina Krespi, who trains out of Roosevelt Island Racquet Club, coach and is always pushing me the Private School Athletic Associa- was undefeated at third singles for Columbia Prep in her towards my goals. He is always freshman season tion (PSAA) Championship. checking in on me when I am “Her overall passion for the playing tournaments. I owe him game is contagious,” said Columbia could always count on her. She did and the Roosevelt Island team so much Prep Head Coach Stefanie Forman. “Kat whatever she could to make us better because without them, I would not be was undefeated at third singles this year, and was always at her best. Additionally, the player I am today. Roosevelt Island which was a very impressive feat. We her sense of humor was a wonderful adhas been like a home to me.”
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New York Tennis Magazine • January/February 2018 • NYTennisMag.com