By Scoop Malinowski | The Sarasota Open Experience | Friday, April 4, 2025
Photo credit: Elizabeth Moore Sarasota Open Facebook
I never imagined writing a book about an ATP Challenger tournament.
But after covering the Sarasota Open over a decade, the accumulation of so many interesting memories and anecdotes both on and off the court of battle, inspired the idea to create a book about this little-known but wonderful annual tennis event.
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The Sarasota Open Experience is a collection of stories, memories, articles, interviews, all connected to the tournament since 2009.
Here’s a teaser excerpt from the book.
One player signed an autograph for a ballboy in between points… an adult film video on high volume interrupted one Frances Tiafoe match and made international headlines… One year the trophies were a beer mug, another year an Easter basket… that’s just a tip of the iceberg.
The Sarasota Experience is available now on Amazon for $9.99.
The Ray Collins Sarasota Open Interview
Nobody has been associated with the Sarasota Open longer than the official tournament announcer, Mr. Ray Collins. He shared a fraction of his catalog of memories…
FIRST MEMORY: I was sitting in the stands at the Longboat Key Club in 2011, watching the Sarasota Open and saw a guy I knew doing a post-match interview and the only thing that stood out about it was his loud pants. I later approached Tournament Owner Tony Driscoll, who I had met previously, and told him I’d be interested in doing his on-court announcing.
I was anchoring the news in Sarasota, played college tennis—and was already the honorary umpire for a dozen exhibitions in town. Names like Pernfors, Arias, Krickstein, Jensen, etc. But Driscoll didn’t share my vision. However, a year later, the Director of Tennis at the Longboat Key Club, John Woods, told Tony he saw an on-court emcee in a tournament out west that was quite effective. Woods told Driscoll the announcer even read off sponsors names, a lightbulb went off in Tony’s business brain and I began announcing the next tournament in 2013 and have been doing it ever since.
The women’s pro tournament in the Naples area reached out to me in 2019 and I’ve been traveling to announce their tournament each year as well. I enjoy being up close to pro tennis and serving as the on-court emcee.
People seem to like that I am very informal: I actually go on the court, interview the winner after the match and am not just a detached voice reading off a scroll somewhere in a press box. I’ve sort of re-shaped my job description over the years.
FAVORITE PLAYERS: I smile when I think of the arc I witnessed of Frances Tiafoe’s growth in the Sarasota Open. He arrived in 2015 when the tournament was in Lakewood Ranch. He came in the tournament office, sat down and interacted with the staff like no player has ever done before or since. He was confident, quick to laugh and had a million-watt smile.
When I later heard his life story, I liked him even more. His father was a maintenance man at a tennis facility in Maryland. Frances and his twin brother—and father—would often sleep at the club. In the morning, Frances would eavesdrop on the other kids his age getting lessons—and the rest is history. He didn’t win that first year, or the second year—but he did win in 2017 when the tournament was at the United Tennis Club.
I have to admit, I was happy for him. His father was there too. In his victory remarks, Frances said something like, “Even though I’m happy to have finally won, this probably means I won’t be playing in this tournament again.”
He was right. He’s gone on to big things, but I have fond memories of watching him grow up before our eyes. There’s another player who hasn’t had the same level of success as Tiafoe, but who is the nicest pro athlete I’ve ever met in any sport.
Christian Harrison has had more than his share of physical challenges, but he’s still out there grinding away, talking to fans–and always gives me a “Hi Ray” when he sees me around town. Class act.
Other nice guys I’ve met through the Sarasota Open include Taylor Dent, Ireland’s James McGee—and Brian Battistone who charmed the audience on Longboat Key with his double-handled racquet, ambidextrous groundstrokes and volleyball-like serve. Battistone was happy to show his racquet, pose with fans and shrugged off the attention.
Though I’m not really a fan of his, I was amazed how Nick Kyrgios came through Longboat Key in 2014. His level of play was like a man among boys…a hot knife through butter. It was fairly obvious he was going to win that year, and I’ve never had that sensation before or since. He was very low key back then. Barely said a word. Too bad he changed. He could have been one of the greats.
Alexander Zverev played one year at Lakewood Ranch in 2015. He was surrounded the entire time by his parents–and while Tiafoe was social, Zverev didn’t talk to anyone outside his posse. Though he looked like a carefree surfer dude back then, his demeanor and appearance appear to have changed over the years. (His brother Mischa won it that year. He was much friendlier but also several years older.) Also, I never saw Stevie Johnson enjoy himself around the court. Rarely—if ever–cracked a smile. Jack Sock and Ryan Harrison are two others low on the charm scale.
FAVORITE MOMENTS: Tiafoe came in the office looking for someone to hit with before his match in Lakewood Ranch. I called my long-time friend Chris Marquez, Head Pro at Lakewood Ranch, and he brought over one of his top juniors, Ashley Bongart. I was a little nervous he would overpower her but he won his match that day and asked me the next day if I could get her back over for a hit.
I also remember a moment back at Lakewood Ranch when I was sitting between Nick Bollettierri and Dick Vitale. Just the three of us. No one else around. “My two dads.” They were talking about a certain player who didn’t have the right character, and they consequently didn’t think he would go very far.
Another moment that stood out—not overly exciting but satisfying to me: I like to interview VIPs in the audience for the benefit of others who may not realize the big names are present. I remember a night where I bounced between former no. 5 in the world, Jimmy Arias, and the then-Mayor of Sarasota Kyle Battie. They are both friends of mine–and at that moment, I felt well-connected and well-informed to pull off two entirely different interviews. Arias and I grew up playing tennis during the same era in Buffalo—but that’s where the similarities end. He went on to 5 in the world, and I was no. 5 on my college team.
MOST PAINFUL: There are several ways I could take that question, so I’ll take it literally: There was a moment when I was in brief pain while I was on center court awarding the doubles trophies at Laurel Oak in 2018. One of the runners-up, Peter Polansky of Toronto, thought it would be funny to reflect the sun off his new trophy toward my eyes. I was momentarily blinded while trying to read my notes on the mic. I didn’t know where it was coming from until I saw him laughing a few feet away on the sidelines. I liked him, but I didn’t think that was appropriate.
MOST EMBARRASSING: During my first year at Longboat Key (2013) I was awarding the runners-up their trophies when I lost my place. When the second player finished speaking, I said, “Okay, folks, that’s the doubles–now stand-by for our singles final.” Suddenly I heard a buzz, and Driscoll simply pointed to the net where the winners of the doubles final were still waiting patiently for their trophies and checks. Whoops!
There was another incident that was almost embarrassing: We start each day with the National Anthem, and as I walk to the court to begin the proceedings I say ‘hello’ to the singer and bring them out to the court with me. This was Payne Park 2022 I said to the woman, “Hi…follow me!” And she did. We were standing behind the umpire’s chair and I asked her what her name was and where she sings. She said, “I’m not a singer.” I said, “Aren’t you our National Anthem singer?” She said, “No!” Turns out she looked a lot like another singer we had earlier in the week. At that point the actual singer materialized, and our impromptu karaoke contest was cancelled.
Another incident wasn’t embarrassing for me but it didn’t make the tournament look great: In 2024, the ATP asked me to interview the winning player after the match. We’d stand on the court and a camera–20 yards away in the corner—would shoot us with the help of a zoom lens. But not everyone knew that we were broadcasting worldwide, and some court maintenance people and photographers blocked the camera, thinking it was just an interview for the people in the stands.
It got worse at the closing ceremony when the tournament organizers brought their friends and family on the court and blocked the camera shot entirely, forcing the ATP to dump out of coverage. I know for a fact there were reporters overseas waiting to hear from the winner and the runner-up from their respective countries.
FUNNIEST MOMENTS: I’d be remiss to not start with the incident that received the most attention in the history of the Sarasota Open. It was 2017 at the United Tennis Club. Tiafoe was playing a night match against fellow-American Mitchell Krueger of Texas. The club was in a residential area and one of the neighboring condo owners decided to play a prank by blaring an adult video. After a couple minutes, Tiafoe turned toward the direction of the noise and yelled, “It can’t be that good!” The crowd laughed, the worldwide media seized on the incident and Driscoll—always the marketer—produced t-shirts that said, “The Sarasota Open. It IS that good.”
Another funny moment also involved a prank I orchestrated against Tiafoe minutes after he won the Sarasota Open that same year. I got one of the young staff members to approach him with me in the clubhouse when he walked in with his trophy. Eva Teitlebaum said, “Frances, great win. Congratulations. How about a picture before you leave?” He thanked her for her comments and began to take his big bag off his shoulder to pose for a picture when she handed him her camera and she and I posed. “Oh, you want me to take it of you! Oh, you got me! You got me!” I can still hear him laughing.
Another funny thing happened on Longboat Key in 2014. 6’11” Serbian Ivo Karlovic came in the tournament office and noted the nerf racquets and balls on a table. He and I each grabbed one and started volleying the ball back and forth. For a couple minutes, we were a couple of kids, laughing away while tapping that sponge ball back and forth.
STRANGEST MOMENT: During the 2017 tournament at United Tennis Club in Bradenton, a fan was kicked out for allegedly tipping off sports bettors in Las Vegas. He was apparently clicking a signaling device in his shoe to immediately let his co-conspirators know across the country who had won a point. Driscoll called the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office to eject him. He went quietly.
FUNNIEST PLAYER: There was a Serbian player named Ilija Bozoljac who was funny, silly–and didn’t seem to mind the nickname other players gave him, “Bozo.” He got the job done–along with India’s Somdev Devvarman, they won the doubles title on Longboat Key in 2013. Loved his demeanor. Reminded me of that expression, “People will never remember what you said, but they’ll never forget how they felt when they were around you.” He made me smile.
RANDOM MEMORABLE MOMENTS: Tennys Sandgren was playing a late-night singles match at Laurel Oak in 2019. During the match, a little boy walked up to the fence behind his chair during a break and asked Tennys to sign his hat. Sandgren said he’d do it after the match. The kid walked away and headed toward the exit with his mother. As Sandgren got up to resume the match he looked back, “Hey kid, are you leaving?” It was a school night and it was after 9. The boy nodded. “Okay, come back, I’ll sign your hat now.”
I got a picture of that moment, and showed Sandgren later. He asked me to text it to him which I did. We wound up texting for a couple hours that night. Sandgren can come across as a complainer on the court but he’s a pretty thoughtful guy away from tennis.
It’s amazing how many players came in as no. 1 seed in the Sarasota Open—and promptly lost in the first round. Michael Russell, Denis Kudla, J.J. Wolf and several others.
As the tournament announcer and media liaison, I enjoyed getting to know Nick Bollettieri over the years. I was originally nervous to meet him, being in awe of his resume. But I introduced him dozens of times to various audiences around town. I was at his bedside in the weeks before his body finally gave out. I really developed an affection for that affable character. I miss him. I can still hear his gravelly voice, “My man Ray.”
Maria Sharapova caused a buzz when she came to the matches on Longboat Key during the height of her popularity. She owns a home in the area. I think she came to watch Taylor Dent.
WHY DO I LOVE THE SARASOTA OPEN? As a tennis player, it’s a treat to watch the matches up close. It’s even more of a thrill to meet, interact and interview these players. Most are nice and fun. It’s also been fascinating to see what no-name teenagers become big names in the sport… Kei Nishikori, Krygios, Tiafoe, Zverev, etc.
I enjoy meeting new people—and I meet dozens during the week of the Sarasota Open. Plus the event is a reunion of the local tennis community. The tennis club at which I played for 15 years—and the biggest club in Sarasota—closed a few years ago, and hundreds of players scattered to other facilities around the community.
Even though being the on-court emcee is a series of long monotonous days and some frustrations along the way, it’s one of the highlights of my year. It can be that good!
MOST INTELLIGENT PLAYER: I was impressed by Michael Russell who seemed to be a smart guy, not just a jock. Not surprised he’s coaching Taylor Fritz. I also liked Devvarman who was funny, charming and superstitious: He said to me in the staff office, “I hear (during your introductions) that I’m a fan of the Miami Heat.” I said, “Yes, I read that about you. Isn’t that true?” He said, “No.” I said, “Oh my gosh, I’m sorry–I will take that out immediately.” He said, “No, don’t take it out, I’m winning, keep saying it!”
Devarrman came back to coach ten years later (ATP player Sumit Nagal). He and I were talking in the players lounge at Payne Park in 2023. I asked Somdev about a high-profile player who seemed to have two very different personalities. And he cracked back, “Just two?”
