Budding American tennis star Jack Sock is just 22 years old…
He went to Blue Valley North here in Kansas City. And those who follow local tennis knew that Sock would go pro. He skipped college after he graduated high school because he was 80 and 0 and nobody could beat him.
Not since Tom Watson has our city had a big name star outside pro or college baseball,football or basketball.
Jack Sock well may become our city’s biggest name in sports outside of team games ever.
Watson was the worlds top golfer a couple times and is most famous for his victories at the tough British Opens. He ranks with George Brett and Len Dawson as one of THE all time big names from Kansas City for all time.
Now it’s possible that Jack Sock may join that list.
Yesterday he lost to Rafael Nadal in the French Open. Nadal has been No. 1 in the world and owns the French Open.
Jack lost but did win one set and looked outstanding at times.
He’s a power player.
Once his backhand gets a shade better, he could make a run at becoming the number one man.
He’s currently America’s number two player (ranked 37th in the world overall) but after yesterday, the betting money is he’ll pass John Isner who is currently ranked 16th in the world.
Sock won the Wimbedon Doubles last year. He was ranked 37th in the world before his four rounds of victories at the French. Playing Nadal was a big lift for his young career and looking good as the show moved forward, though he was beaten.
I had a chance to watch Sock play on the Plaza a couple times.
My nephew Jake Glazer even got to play him once.
The little Glaze won one game – not a set – but hey, Jake was a state champ for Kansas two years ago and that helped earn him a scholarship at Creighton where he’s a top tennis player today.
Sock is a big guy at 6’3″ and 185 with huge power and size matters.
Sock’s already won over $2 million in doubles and singles in just a couple years of play. Not to mention the endorsement money.
It will be nice to have an American back in the top rankings again. Especially an American from Kansas City.
Andy Riddick was the last American to win a major back in the 2003 US Open.
So keep an eye on this talented former KC guy from Blue Valley North.
now that you’ve anointed him…
but wait… maybe the curse won’t take hold because you identified him as going to “…Blue Valley North in Kansas City.” which as most of us know is not in KC, but Overland Park, KS.
Andy Riddick, for f’s sake, Glaze. Read your stuff before you submit it.
/Roddick
Ummmmmmmm, the dude’s from Nebraska. Even his Bio lists him as a Nebraska native, not Kansas City. He moved here to play high school tennis and for his trainer/coach. He lives in Florida. The comparison to the “next” big Kansas City star is ridiculous.
Yep. The kid is from Lincoln. NE.
Facepalm.
Glaze never lets the facts stand in the way of a good story! You guys need to leave him alone. He’s an entertainer!
Uh, whut?
Sarcasm and the internet are sometimes a dangerous combination.
Nah man, just put it all in sarcasotext.
What baffles me is that Glazer should have been a publicist.
I was on a flight a few weeks back from MCI to Key West. During the change in Atlanta, the flight attendant told me I was in the same seat Federer had on the earlier flight. She served me a drink. She had served him a drink just 45 minutes earlier. Three people in first class found out and wanted my autograph. True story.
braggard.
kidding…
I guess you could say you were lucky they only wanted an autograph. some might have wanted to smell the seat.
Yeah happens to me all the time when I sit somewhere, they all want to see me…hah…kidding, funny story.
Why accept comments when you only keep the comments you want?
Wouldn’t you want an actual picture of Mr. Sock on an article that is about him?
Thought having a pic of Nadal was kind of odd