The Anguilla Tennis Academy has announced the tenth scholarship it has secured for outstanding players. Over the years, the Academy has sought and obtained scholarships for Anguillian-born players at a cost of US $31,000 annually, amounting to well over US$850, 000. Now, the lucky awardee is 18-year-old Rodrigo Vazquez who was born in Mexico.
Vazquez, who became a tennis player at the Anguilla Tennis Academy two years ago, will be studying engineering at Le Tourneau University in Longview, Texas. His studies will also include aeronautical science, education and business.
Mr. Michelle Lake, Founder and CEO of the Anguilla Tennis Academy, commended Vazquez for his achievement. His spoke about the student’s outstanding tennis performance and, in particular, how he had impressed the coaches from T Bar M Raquet Club in Texas as well as Chris Wade, a longstanding associate of the Academy.
Le Toureau University’s coach, Suzanne Merritt, said in part: “I am very excited to welcome Rodrigo to our university family. He represents all the qualities I look for in a player. He is dedicated to succeeding both in academics and on the tennis courts. He has been very well taught and coached and I am excited to work with him.”
Rodrigo, who is the son of Paul and Alicia Vazquez, said he won his first national tennis tournament in Mexico in the under 14 category. A year later he made a choice between being a tennis and soccer player. He eventually pursued tennis and dedicated much time to that sport when he took up residence with his parents in the Turks and Caicos Islands.
He said he benefitted much from playing tennis in Anguilla and was grateful to Mitch Lake and the coaches of the Anguilla Tennis Academy – as well as the coaches from T Bar M Raquet Club – for their assistance.
