Stamford Junior Player, Terry McGrath, Reaches the Top 10 in New England

Stamford, CT – Stamford junior tennis player, Terry McGrath, is now ranked in the top 10 of the USTA New England 12 and Under after his most recent win at the USTA New England level five tournament in East Hartford, Connecticut. 

This was Terry’s first win at this level. “It felt great to win the tournament because I beat many players that I had lost at other tournaments,” remarked Terry. 

For Terry tennis is more than just a game, it is his life.  This 11 year old junior caught the “tennis bug” from his father, Lawrence, and after watching Rafael Nadal beat Roger Federer in the 2008 Wimbledon Final.  “He began playing at the age of seven and he would spend two to three hours practicing against the side of the house. He started competing at the age of nine,” recalls Iwona McGrath, Terry’s mother.  This past August, Terry and his father, Lawrence, won the Parent/Child 14 and Under First Niagara Family Classic at the New Haven Open. 

Terry has been training with coach Charl van der Merwe at Shippan Racquet Club in Stamford. “We have been focusing on Terry’s serve and also on drills that help him to win the point quickly,” said van de Merwe. “Competing in USTA tournaments is a big part of a player’s development.  My job is to teach Terry the skills he needs to be successful on the court.” 

When not on the court, Terry enjoys skiing in the winter, and swimming in the summer.  His favorite professional player is Rafael Nadal.  “I love watching Rafa play because he never gives up during his matches,” stated Terry.  This past summer, Terry was fortunate to meet his tennis idol while on a family trip to Montreal. 

“It is a great joy to watch Terry develop his skills, even if watching as a parent can be a bit stressful,” said Iwona McGrath.  “I enjoy watching him pretend to be Rafa when he’s practicing and playing in his matches.” The McGrath’s have kept everything in perspective with Terry’s development.  “We don’t push Terry to play, he plays because he wants to do it,” said Iwona.   “I am so grateful to the staff at Shippan and Charl for their support and the many ways they contribute to Terry’s development.”