Elk Grove 12-year-old making mark with racket

A seventh grader from Elk Grove Village reached the top of the national tennis rankings for his age group this week.

Jordan Belga of Elk Grove Village learned Wednesday that he was No. 1 among 12 year olds and under in the U.S. Tennis Association national rankings. Previously, he had been rated No. 2.

"I was so excited when I saw it," said Belga, who attends Meade Junior High School. "The first thing I did was send a text (message) to my coach."

Belga trains with Jacek Dabrowski, a tennis professional at Five Seasons Sports Club in Northbrook. He began his tennis instruction at age 8 at Schaumburg Tennis Plus, a park district facility.

"For someone locally to be ranked No. 1 in the country, it's big," says Dabrowski, who also privately coaches the preteen when he travels to compete in tournaments, typically twice a month.

Dabrowski says Belga has the discipline and focus to work at a high level - he leaves school early to train four to five days a week - but he also has the right tools.

"His serve was clocked at 96 miles per hour," Dabrowski says. "He has the right technique and motion, combined with quick hands, for a very big serve."

In recognition of his ranking, Belga recently received an invitation to attend a one-week camp later this month at the prestigious Nick Bollatieri Tennis Academy, in West Bradenton, Fla.

Belga says he aspires to play like Roger Federer, who won his fifth U.S. Open title last month.

"He's an all-court player with a big serve who's humble too," Belga said. "I want to play like him."

Already, Belga has a strong forehand shot as another big weapon, and he's working on covering the rest of the court.

"I'm trying to get up to the net as quickly as possible, and stretch my volleys," he said.

Initially, Belga played tennis along with soccer and basketball like most youngsters his age, but two years ago, he decided he wanted to pursue the sport more seriously.

His parents, Fred and Kelly Belga, who played high school tennis at Mather High School in Chicago and at Glenbard North High School in Carol Stream, respectively, said they supported his decision.

He was home schooled the last two years before working out a modified schedule at Meade to accommodate his training.

"It's his dream, his goal," Kelly Belga said. "He has high aspirations, and as long as he keeps his academics up, we're supportive."