The 77th annual Michigan/Wisconsin Tennis Open took place this past weekend at Abrahamson Courts in Escanaba, drawing in over 80 participants from across the region. Among the competitors, one familiar face stood out in the Men’s A singles field – Denny Lunenberg, who had previously reached the finals in 1975 and 1977 but fell short to Enrique Quimbaya from Colombia. Fast forward to 2024, and history repeated itself as Juan Guerra, a resident of Williamsburg, Mich., claimed the Men’s A singles title by defeating Traverse City’s Kace Lovejoy in a thrilling match.
In other divisions, Escanaba’s own Chris Ogren, a math teacher and girls‘ tennis coach, emerged victorious in the Men’s B singles category with a solid 6-2, 6-2 win over Dan Hawkins from Gaylord. Felix Albano from Niagara, Wis., dominated the Men’s 40’s singles class with an 8-0 victory over Escanaba’s Ken Swanson. Dennis Kreuser was crowned champion in the Men’s 55 singles division, showcasing the diverse range of talent present at the tournament.
The youth divisions also saw intense competition, with Escanaba’s Chase Korpi triumphing over Iron Mountain’s Malakai Broersma in the boys 12-16 category. Landon Adam from Iron Mountain secured a win over Isaac LeBouet, also from Iron Mountain, in the boys 16-18 division. Marquette’s Payton Bullock emerged victorious in the girls‘ 16-18 category, defeating Escanaba’s Sonya Maki in a competitive match.
Doubles action added another layer of excitement to the tournament, with various pairings showcasing their skills on the court. In the Men’s A doubles division, Lovejoy and George Lowe emerged victorious over Guerra and Aaron in a closely contested match. Ogren and Chris Bonzyck claimed the Men’s B doubles title with a solid 6-3, 6-2 win over Dan Hawkins and Kyte Hawkins. Earl Lepisto and Kreuser teamed up to secure the Men’s 55 doubles title, while Katy Hicks and Audrey Veale triumphed in the Women’s doubles division.
The mixed doubles categories also saw some thrilling matches, with Katie Hicks and Alek Shanks emerging victorious in the Mixed A doubles class, and Tom Penegor and Sue Penegor claiming the Mixed B doubles title. The tournament showcased the passion and skill of tennis players from across the region, highlighting the camaraderie and competitive spirit that defines the sport.
Overall, the 77th annual Michigan/Wisconsin Tennis Open was a resounding success, bringing together players of all ages and skill levels for a weekend of intense competition and sportsmanship. The event served as a testament to the enduring popularity of tennis in the region and the talent that continues to thrive in the local tennis community.