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2025 Canadian Amateur Recap

Writer's picture: Detroit Racquet Club DRCDetroit Racquet Club DRC

The curtain closes on another Canadian Amateur Championship, and what a championship it was! 


The weekend kicked off with an energetic stag on Thursday, a dinner with over 90 members and guests in attendance. The early tournament energy was there for all to see and the dining room was absolutely rocking all night. Friday, saw over 15 hours of play with the last ball hit a little after 12:30am Saturday morning. As ever the gallery was in high spirits the entire evening, especially when Louis Winstanley decided to run the ever popular 'ladies night development squad' in the early hours of the morning. 


Saturday was when things got serious and despite A few sore heads that morning, some top quality singles quarter finals began at 9am sharp. Twelve hours of play later and we were ready for the Steak and Magnum Dinner with the names of our finalists in hand. Julius Manton-Jones would try to defend last years singles title against James Rossiter whilst, Tanner Austin and Tarquin Sotir would play Julius Manton-Jones and new kid on the block, Spencer Yager for the doubles title. A legend of the game (John Prenn) and a legend of the MRC (Bryce Maher) stole the show at dinner, regaling some classic stories from years gone by. It was a privilege to watch John work his magic on the court and the locker room conversation was never too far away from 'WOW, he's still got it'! It was great to see Bryce looking so well and have him back at the club where he belongs too. 


Now on to the singles final, we expected it to be a closely run contest but nobody could have predicted quite what was in store for the onlooking gallery. It was an ABOSLUTE CLASSIC from the very first ball with both players (quite literally) hitting the cover off the ball. There were swings back and forth with neither Jules or James giving the other an inch. Locked at 2 -2 we deservedly headed into a deciding set. After some beautiful shot making and at 11-4 up, it looked like James had finally wrestled control of the tie. With the finish line in sight he tightened just a little and that was all Jules needed to win the next 10 points and sit on the cusp of victory at 14-11. Rossiter, fresh off the back of a successful US Amateur defense, volleyed a huge forehand down the right wall to fend off the championship ball. After another tug of war which saw a total of 3 championship balls saved, we headed into a deciding set. Momentum in hand James 'the most celebrated George' Rossiter was this time able to hold on and close out one of the greatest CanAm finals of our time: 11/15-15/7 16/13 12/15 17/14.


All were wondering what kind of effect such a close singles loss would have on the doubles finals, would Jules be able to put it behind him or would the disappointment be enough for the underdog pair of Sotir and Austin to take the tie? the gallery didn't have to wait ling long to find out, after a brief pause for a show stopping brunch, we were ready. The first game and a half went by in an instant, with Sotir and Austin seeming to have more on court chemistry. Their more 'traditional doubles' style an advert for the game as they raced into early lead. Determined not to be on the end of two defeats in one afternoon, and spurred on by his partner, who was now striking the ball very cleanly indeed, Manton-Jones and Yager knuckled down and fought back to take games 2, 3 and 4 to lift their maiden doubles title: 4/15-15/10-15/9-15/6.


Congratulations to all who were brave enough to play in the Rolland cup. Team Canada successfully winning the competition 5-4. 


This weekend could not have run as smoothly without all of the efforts of the MRC Staff: Rick, Phil, Trina and the rest of the kitchen and service staff. A huge thank you also goes out to all of the fellows, past and present who worked tirelessly marking, stringing and wrapping balls all weekend!


Play!

Dan Fisher (Racquets Professional - Montreal Racket Club)



Doubles Finals Award Presentation
Doubles Finals Award Presentation

Julis Manton-Jones (Singles Finalist) and James Rossiter (Singles Champion)
Julis Manton-Jones (Singles Finalist) and James Rossiter (Singles Champion)

Doubles Champions Spencer Yager and Julius Manton-Jones
Doubles Champions Spencer Yager and Julius Manton-Jones

Team Canada: 2025 Rolland Cup Champions
Team Canada: 2025 Rolland Cup Champions

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