McAdoo, Kwiatkowski win tennis titles

By: Jon Johnson | Dothan Eagle
Published: February 18, 2009

Maybe there’s another famous McAdoo in the making.

Rasheeda McAdoo of Miami, daughter of former NBA great Bob McAdoo, won her first national tournament by defeating No. 1 seed Hannah King 6-4, 6-4 of Dunwoody, Ga., in the girls championship of the USTA National Open 14s at the Westgate Tennis Center on Tuesday.

The boys division was won by No. 1 seed Thai Kwiatkowski of Charlotte, N.C., who defeated Yale Goldberg of Beachwood, Ohio, 6-2, 6-0.

Championships in the main draw were completed a day earlier than originally scheduled due to the possibility of rain in the area today. Doubles and consolation finals are scheduled today as the five-day tournament wraps up.

As McAdoo put the finishing touches on the girls singles title, her father clapped proudly.

“It’s nerve-wracking — a lot tougher than playing,” the five-time NBA All-Star said of watching his daughter play. “I don’t get to see her play very much.”

Bob McAdoo is now an assistant coach for the Miami Heat, and said he was able to be in attendance since it was the NBA All-Star break this past weekend. Miami returns to action tonight to host Minnesota.

Rasheeda McAdoo was happy her father was able to watch her victory.

“It’s really special,” the 13-year-old said. “I was really hoping that he at least would get to see me play well.”

Play well she did, taking the fight to the No. 1 seed with a strong serve and aggressive play throughout the match.

Down 4-3 in the second set, McAdoo won the next three games to win the title.

“First of all, I’m relieved I got through it,” McAdoo said. “I was really scared, though. I just really wanted to win.”

In the boys division, Kwiatkowski was in charge from the start in putting away the talented Goldberg.

“This is what I live for, to play these type matches,” Kwiatkowski said. “I haven’t won a national event in two or three years, so this is big.”

Several hours earlier, he had a tougher time of it in the semifinals in beating Tyler Kratky of Greenwich, Conn., 6-3, 6-3. Often during that match, Kwiatkowski became irritated with himself and showed his temper on the court.

He realizes that’s a part of his game he needs to work on controlling.

“My opponent started off a little slow, then he started putting pressure on me and it made me nervous,” Kwiatkowski said. “My strength is how much I want it — I have a passion. But my weakness is the other side of it when I get upset.”

In the championship match against Goldberg, Kwiatkowski kept his focus and played an aggressive and smart match.

“I like to be aggressive, come to the net and finish points my way,” Kwiatkowski said.