It's impossible to talk about doubles results in junior tennis without the name Tanner Cochran coming up. While she is also an outstanding singles player, Tanner has dominated doubles events the past few years, mostly with partner Kristen Schlukebir. These days, however, Tanner is widening her options and showing her skills in singles at various events.
Seventeen-year old Tanner Cochran is currently ranked No. 4 in the USTA Girls' 18 National Rankings. She also appears in the Top 100 of the ITF International Junior Rankings in singles and doubles.
I caught up with Tanner at the Apple & Eve Long Island Tennis Classic. Though this was a USTA Professional Circuit event, Tanner is still keeping her amateur status.
by Marcia Frost
Q: What made you decide to play this professional tournament?
A: "I'm trying to get my pro ranking up so I've just been playing all the Pro Circuit."
Q: You're not playing any junior tournaments this Summer?
A: "I'm playing the US Open Juniors, for sure. It's just a lot more expensive to travel overseas (for ITF junior events). You don't get money for winning here (as an amateur), but you get a little expense money. It's just cheaper and it's helping to get my ranking up. It high quality too."