Redondo looks for a rewarding singles life

By: DAN HAYES - Staff Writer | Wednesday, March 2, 2005 12:12 AM PST ∞

Ryan Redondo is a doubles specialist in a single player's world. At age 21, Redondo is already a proven doubles commodity: He and teammate Oliver Maiberger reached a No. 1 collegiate tennis ranking during the 2002 men's tennis season at San Diego State.

In 2001, the pair also won one of four college Grand Slam events, the Omni Hotels Indoor Championships in Houston.

But as his pro career gets under way, Redondo must prove himself again ---- this time, as a singles player. Redondo will play in the USA F6 Futures Tournament in McAllen, Texas beginning Monday.

"I definitely know I have the game to do it," Redondo said. "I just have to be patient and let it come instead of worrying about it."

The Encinitas resident has the background for it.

In his only year of high school tennis, Redondo helped Fallbrook to a CIF tennis title. As a 16-year-old, he was part of the first U.S. squad to win the Junior Davis Cup (1999). And he owns a 78-27 college doubles record and a 46-36 singles mark.

As impressive as Redondo's resume is, Gene Carswell, his former San Diego State coach, said his work ethic is even better.

"He was eager to learn and take on new things," said Carswell, a Mt. Carmel High graduate. "His ability to continue to learn while out on tour (will help). He can tour at the highest level (in doubles). On the singles side, he's not at that same level yet. That's why he's working as hard as he is."

Said Maiberger, his former partner and now an Aztecs assistant coach: "Mostly because of his work ethic, he has a good shot. He's probably one of the hardest-working guys I know."

Hard work on and off the court is a staple ----- practically a birthright ---- in the Redondo family.

From the surface, it appears to be something Redondo takes as seriously as his family's previous generation did.

Whether it is spending hour after hour practicing with his dad and coach, Skip, or working out with his strength and conditioning coach, Danny Wright, Redondo is putting in the hours needed to fine tune his game. But he's just following the example set for him.

Redondo's uncle, Walter Redondo, and aunt, Marita Redondo, were ranked in the top 50 and top 20 in the world, respectively, in the 1970s.

After passing up a pro career of his own for a family, Skip, served as San Diego State's head coach in the 1977-78 season. Skip currently heads the West Coast Tennis Academy at La Costa Resort and Spa.

All of the above adds up to a laundry list of career advice for Redondo.

"I've always dreamed of him playing professional tennis," Skip Redondo said. "I've learned a lot from my sister and brother (about the pros). I've coached a few pros. I kind of know the system and what to do."

No matter how much information Skip passes on, Ryan must learn to deal with the hardships of life on the road on his own. It's an existence far different from the college game, where short trips with teammates are replaced by extended solo trips.

Plus, he has a tennis game to nurture.

"Right now with traveling being so new," Redondo said, "it's just trying to fit in and find myself. The best advice (given) is being happy ... be calm within yourself. You can go crazy (sitting around in hotels)."

Redondo knows it's an adjustment he will have to make if he is to advance from the Futures level to Challengers and eventually to the ATP Tour.

This season, Redondo will play at least 20 tournaments ----- the minimum called for in his contract with First Serve, a North County-based tennis company.

The first-year pro signed with First Serve following the 2003 season at San Diego State but was sidelined until last October after undergoing elbow surgery.

Although the setback was frustrating, it wasn't an entirely bad experience.

"I got to play a good amount of matches," Redondo said. "I struggled the whole time. Some days I felt great, other days I couldn't hold the racket ... I was learning to win hurt."

More important, he got a refresher on handling a big challenge ---- much like becoming a pro singles player or dealing with life on the road.

For Redondo, they're all just obstacles he must cope with on the road to success.

"It's such a fine line," he said. "Once you get to this level, everybody can hit the ball well. It's that one inch. For me, it's playing as much as I can to get that opportunity to break through."

Contact staff writer Dan Hayes at dhayes@nctimes.com or (760) 739-6643.