14-Year-Old Northfield Boy Breaks Through With Tennis Tournament Triumph in Las Vegas

A 14-year-old Northfield boy hit the jackpot recently on a trip to Las Vegas: he won the Muterspaw Championships, a highly competitive United States Tennis Association tournament that drew players from across the nation.

But unlike some other Vegas visitors, Alan Matyjas is anything but lucky: his dominance over his five opponents-he didn't drop a single set-stems from years of hard work and discipline.

In the finals against Tyler Stewart of Midland, Texas, Matyjas wrapped up his triumph by a 6-1, 6-3 margin. The final point was a long rally that Matyjas punctuated by smacking a forehand winner down the baseline.

Matyjas, who is home-schooled, has been training at Five Seasons Family Sports Club in Northbrook for the past five years. There, especially over the past two years, his main instructor has been Suhel Malhotra, one of the club's foremost junior tennis coaches.

He pointed to Matyjas's competitiveness and speed as key elements in his success. Another vital ingredient: work ethic, which is reflected by his 90-minute daily workout regimen at Five Seasons.

"That's a big testament to his discipline…he pushes himself off the court to be better," said Malhotra. "He's a dedicated kid who has high aspirations."

Unlike many of his peers, who rely on being especially strong in one area of the game, Matyjas is a "complete player, which is rare for younger players," Malhotra added.

Held March 25-27 at the Darling Memorial Tennis Center in Las Vegas, the Muterspaw Championships were a USTA National Level 3 Tournament.

The victory bolstered Matyjas's ranking, which is 8th for his age group in the Midwest. But more significant than any numerical rating-which can inflate a player's head or spark needless discouragement- Matyjas has a mental toughness that is impossible to measure, said Malhotra.

"He's a real fighter," said the coach. "He doesn't give up."

Indeed, when asked what he took away from his tourney-winning experience, Matyjas said simply, "This makes me want to win more tournaments."

One of the keys to his tournament win, added Matyjas: "Not getting mad when I made mistakes. I stayed mentally focused the whole time and I didn't give any points away."

The Matyjas family has an impressive athletic pedigree: Alan's sister, Julia, has been an accomplished badminton player at New Trier High School and is heading to the University of Chicago, and his father, Ziggy, was on Poland's junior national team as a speed skater and competed internationally.

He views his son's tennis development in the context of life's bigger picture: "It's really important for them to develop the discipline that they can use in the future for their lives."

The elder Matyjas referred to Five Seasons as "my second home."

"I'm at the club daily, and we're in the club as a family all the time," he said. "It's a great place to be and it's where I have met a lot of friends. I'm also very happy with the level of coaching that Alan receives. When one coach isn't available, there's someone else who is and provides the same routine for the players. It's perfect teamwork."

Looking ahead, Matyjas plans to compete in his 14-and-under age group's USTA national clay court championship in July, and national hard court championship in August.

Winning and losing will inevitably come as his career on the court unfolds, but Malhotra continually emphasizes the formation of good habits that support positive results in tennis and beyond. "That's my number one goal with my students-create good habits, so they can shine."

Five Seasons is the premier year-round high-energy, high-touch sports club focused on family leisure and entertainment, improving sports performance and maintaining overall health.

For more information, please call Five Seasons Family Sports Club in Northbrook at 847-897-5030 or visit the club at 1300 Techny Road. Online: http://www.fiveseasonssportsclub.com/northbrook/