Many stories, one goal at pro tennis tournament

One is a hometown girl; one is from Uzbekistan.

One still has college in mind; one is climbing the ladder on the pro tennis circuit.

Emily Newton, a 17-year-old junior at Northview, is the lone local player in this week’s Movie Gallery Pro Classic at the Westgate Tennis Center. She is a
wildcard entrant, and will play as an amateur today in the qualifying round. Newton is undefeated in high school competition this season and will compete as a
No. 1 player for Northview later this week in the sectionals.

Akgul Amanmuradova of Tashkent, Uzbekistan, is the No. 3 seed in the main draw of this week’s tournament. She won a match this past week in the Family
Circle Cup in Charleston, S.C., and represented her country in the Summer Olympics last year.

Both players are worlds apart, yet very similar in their goals of progressing one day to the highest level of women’s tennis.

For Newton, her match today against a professional will mark yet another chance to boost her tennis resume as she continues to attract the attention of
college recruiters.

Newton played in this tournament two years ago as a wildcard entrant, losing to Carly Gullickson 6-1, 6-1.

“I really wanted this wildcard,” Newton said. “The experience you get is great. I am a little nervous, but more confident than I was when I played in this two
years ago.”

For Newton, just getting the chance to compare her skills against a pro overshadows anything that may happen on the scoreboard.

For Amanmuradova, much more is at stake.

Gaining experience is certainly important, but aiming to win is the name of the game for her as a professional.

“I think with any tennis tournament, if he or she comes without wishing to win, it doesn’t make any sense to come,” Amanmuradova said. “You always try your
hardest in every match.”

Amanmuradova is ranked 99th in the world but hasn’t been playing as well as she would like.

“Last year I was really playing well at this time,” she said. “After that, I injured my back. I’m starting to get back my confidence.”

She continues her tennis journey this week in an unfamiliar place in making her first appearance in Dothan.  Her coach, who was with her last week, has gone
back to France to see his family.

“This week, I’m alone,” Amanmuradova said. “That’s part of life for a tennis player — you’re never home much.”

Amanmuradova said the travel can be difficult, and it’s often hard to stay on a proper diet for tennis.

“Sometimes you fill up your stomach with crap,” she said with a laugh. “I try to be careful and eat more fruits and vegetables.”

She was pleasantly surprised at what she saw once arriving at the Westgate Tennis Center.

“I’ve never been to Alabama,” she said. “I saw Dothan was pretty small, so I thought there would only be a few courts. This stadium is really nice.”

After this week, Amanmuradova will return to her home country for a visit.

“I miss my parents and my brother,” she said. “But that’s (tennis) my job.”

Wii Classic: Fans will have an opportunity to play in a Wii tennis tournament and compete for prizes this week at the Westgate Tennis Center as part of the
activities of the Pro Classic. Registration begins today for three different age groups – 10-14, 15-19 and 20-above. There will be 32 participants maximum in
each age category. The entry fee is $25, which includes a week pass to the Pro Classic. For more information, drop by Westgate Tennis Center, call 793-0399
or visit http://www.dothanprotennis.org.

Today’s schedule: Qualifying matches will be held from 10 a.m. until 5:30 p.m. today with free admission and free ice cream will be served. Qualifying
continues on Monday with the main draw beginning Tuesday.

On the surface: The Movie Gallery Pro Classic is the fourth of seven clay court events leading up to the French Open, and the first at the $50,000 level or
above. Dothan is just one of three $75,000 events on this year’s USTA Pro Circuit women’s schedule, joining Midland, Mich., and Albuquerque, N.M. This is
the ninth year for the event in Dothan.

Past stars: Past finalists in Dothan include current world doubles No. 1 Liezel Huber, former Top 40 player Ashley Harkleroad and defending Dothan champ
Bethanie Mattek-Sands, who is currently the No. 3-ranked American and No. 38 in the world for singles.