Omar Parker

The name Omar is not common in the U.S., and Greenwood’s Omar Parker is a very uncommon boy. Omar has been a member for close to two years and is currently ranked #10 in the Boys 12 and Under division. Omar is only 11 years old, and he started playing tennis at age five in La Jolla, California. “ He did a sports camp with lots of different sports like football and soccer, but when he came home, he said he only wanted to play tennis, “ his mom DeeDee says. Tennis is what Omar still concentrates on, and he attended every single tennis camp that Greenwood offered this summer.

Even more impressive is that Omar tried out for Team Colorado and made it the first time. According to Kavan, Greenwood tennis pro and Omar’s coach, making the team the first try is unusual.  “Team Colorado took the top 12-year olds in the state, and that places Omar among the top fifteen, probably.” This level of play will pit Omar and his teammates against the best players in Texas, Utah, and other states. But Omar isn’t easily intimidated. “He has a list of players he’d like to beat,” his mom laughs. “He just beat the boy who was at the top of the list, the #1 ranked Teller Hoskins, 6-0, 6-4, and he was very pleased.”

Kavan paints the same picture of a very dedicated and passionate player. “His best asset is his mental game; he’s very confident.” When asked if it was typical to see this level of assiduousness in junior players, Kavan says, “No, it’s very surprising. I’ve coached college players who have that kind of determination, the love of the game. But not an 11 year old.” Omar probably got his excellent footwork from his mother who was a dancer, but otherwise, his parents don’t play tennis. Omar has a strong forehand, but “he’ll need to develop more of a power game,” says Kavan. “Right now he’s more of a retriever.”

Still, Omar is sure he’ll be 6 feet tall. Kavan points out that Roger Federer is one of the slimmest men on the tour and has held the #1 spot for years. “Tennis is such a timing game; you don’t need to have big muscles.” In fact, Omar won the prize for attending more tennis camps than anyone else at Greenwood and got to take home a life-size, cardboard cut-out of Roger Federer. His mom says, “His real idol is Nadal, but I had to get this huge thing in the back of my car for him.” Kavan gives a knowing laugh. “Yeah, that’s Omar. He’s quite a character, always a joy.”