Profile:

Past Golden Ball Finalists: Rahber (3x) and Zoran (2020)

Past Champs–Rahber (2019, 2020)

Former College Players: Michael Tieu

Biggest Hitter–Chris and Raja?

With perhaps only 2 players per division making the tournament (and the rest fighting to avoid the brutal 15 person Qualifying tourney this year) the central is ready to show what they have. Two weeks in and the favorites from Central appear to be our 2x defending Champ Rahber and the “game within a game” Professor of Tennis, Zoran, last year’s runner up. Will the Championship once again go through Rahber’s backyard (Greenlake)? Can anyone neutralize his solid all-court game baseline game and solid serving? OR, can Zoran or someone push him? Watch them this week in Week 3 key matchup and rematch of 2020 final.

However, it appears also that our newcomer Chris possesses the weapons to challenge ANYONE. Can he peak by the end of season for the playoffs and challenge? Tomas, another new player who also gets to the net in the Golden Ball appears to have the goods. But don’t forget….Raja!!! He was a close tiebreaker from taking out our reigning Champ in the early parts of the playoffs last year so don’t sleep on him, particularly with his GIANT forehand. Which leaves us with the rest…Can Michael put his serve and one of the top backhands in the league into play to get to the playoffs? Can the new Eric Meir bring his speed and passion to the court, particularly after he plays a regular season and gets accustomed to the seasoned (old) vets’ games?

Get yourselves to GreenLake this year folks. Listen to the dogs bark at the park, watch the pretty people walk around the lake, and ready yourself for some Seattle tennis, Lower Woodland style!