Local Tennis Star Is Competing In Super National Hard Court Meet

Patrick Siritara
Mirror Contributing Writer

   Eleven-year-old junior tennis champion Logan Hansen of Santa Monica began her pursuit of the USTA Super National Hard Court Championship in the 12 and under division over the weekend. 
   The annual tournament held at the Windward Lake Club in Alpharetta, Georgia fields 129 players from across the nation and is generally regarded among the most premier amateur tennis competitions in the country. 
   Logan has had previous success on this stage as she won the “Little Mo” tournament, a USTA competition named after tennis star Maureen Connolly, three consecutive years before moving into the 12 and under bracket.
   Logan honed her game at the precocious age of three. Along with her older sister, Austin, she grew up practicing on the local courts of Santa Monica. Austin is nationally ranked as well, and currently competing in the national clay court competition. As the sisters have grown, they have practiced against each other less often. Logan now also plays adults three to four times her age at the Santa Monica Tennis Club and Riviera Country Club.
   Part of Logan’s tennis success can be attributed to her exceptional physical skills. With most child sports stars, there is a considerable difference in physical skills in relation to their peers. Logan is no different. 
   “She [Logan] has exceptional hand-eye coordination,” says her father, Stuart Hansen. “She’s has a natural fluid motion and great serve. This coordination is evident in other sports such as volleyball. Overall, Logan has very good motor skills.”
   Physical skills are just part of the equation for Logan’s success. Much like Tiger Woods’ publicized “killer instinct,” Logan has already developed some of the mental approaches to success on the court.
   “She [Logan] really doesn’t like to lose,” continues Hansen. “This is not to say that she’s a sore loser or anything like that, but she really wants to win. On the court she’s good at working her opponents throughout the course of the match. She finds their weaknesses and goes from there.” 
   Logan is also competing in the doubles championship with another local player, Maggie Mello. Hansen was quick to give praise to Logan’s coach Bobby Berger.
   “We give him a lot of credit for their [Logan and Austin’s] development in tennis,” says Hansen. “He’s a really great coach.”
   Logan continues her run at the USTA throughout this week. Should she reach the finals, she will play on Saturday, July 14.