June Yu completes men’s national tennis team

The CNMI Men’s National Tennis Team heading to Honiara, Solomon Islands for the 2023 Pacific Games in November is now complete.

Fifteen-year-old June Yu bested two other hopefuls in a three-day tryout for the team. In the first matchup at the Crowne Plaza Resort Saipan tennis courts last Monday, Yu defeated Simon Tang in two sets, 6-0, 7-5.

The next matchup on Tuesday, Yu won against 14-year-old Nason Wessel—losing the first set, 4-6, bouncing back in the second set, 6-3, then dominating the third set tie breaker, 10-6—for the fourth and last spot on the team.

Wessel then defeated Tang in three tough sets in the last matchup, 7-6, 3-6, 10-2, and secured the alternate position on the team.

Yu, a Mount Carmel School student, said on his selection into the team, “I would say I am very happy to be on the team and I would try my best on my matches!”

As for how he dominated the tryouts, he said “The competition was stressful and tiring. What I did to get the advantage in the game was to reset in the second set and play more aggressively and smarter.”

The men’s team is now made up of Yu, Moris Villanueva, Colin Ramsey, and La Hun Lam. Dr. Bobby Cruz, who was the fourth team member, pulled out of the team citing personal reasons, hence the need for a fourth player.

There’s no CNMI women’s team representing the CNMI in the Pacific Games.

Lydia Tan, who helped coordinate the tryouts as national coach Jeff Race is off-island, said of Yu’s selection into the team, “It’s good for June to represent NMI in the Pacific Games and he will gain a lot of exposure. He will be a good addition to the team”

For the young athletes who tried out, she said, “It’s good for them. They are our upcoming junior [representatives]. If they want to play college tennis, it’s good exposure for them,” she said. “If you train for it, you might have a chance. Just go out there and do your best. Success comes from hard work and training.”

When asked what the chances are for the CNMI getting a podium finish in the Games, Tan was hopeful. “It’s hard. Other countries will send their best players. Too bad Colin Sinclair won’t be able to join us… but I feel like they would place something.”

With the team now set, they will continue their training and practices at the American Memorial Park tennis courts until before the Games in November.