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Published on 08/24/1998 All articles from this issue

11-year-old tennis player making noise nationally

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By Vincent Tsai

Town Crier Editorial Intern

For a tennis player who doesn't possess overwhelming weapons such as a rocket forehand, a blistering serve or a backboard backhand, Joseph Lok sure is making the most of what he's got.

The 11-year-old Los Altos resident is ranked No. 2 in Northern California in his age bracket and is beginning to make his presence felt on the national level.

At last month's National Hardcourts tournament in Alameda, Lok placed fifth out of a draw of 128 players.

While doing so well was surprising to Lok, he attributes his hard-working regimen to his success.

"I was kind of shocked at my performance at first. But I know I've been working hard and my hard work is finally paying off," Lok said.

Lok practices with his coach Sylvano Simone at West Valley College in Saratoga. Simone said Lok makes up for his lack of prominent weapons with tenacity and speed.

"Joseph doesn't have anything that is overpowering. He just plays extremely fiery and gritty. He doesn't miss to many balls and he's really quick for a guy his age," Simone said.

Lok has been training rigorously for up to four hours each day over the summer. This hard work accounts for much of his success on the regional and national level. But he also finds the sport very enjoyable.

"Sometimes in addition to playing at the clubs, I practice with my dad, just to play more tennis. It's such a fun game," Lok said.

In Alameda, Lok used both his passion and consistency to stymie Southern Californian Uda Yuichi 6-1, 6-3 in the Round of 16. Despite succumbing to Maryland-based Jason Pinsky in a hard fought quarterfinal match 5-7, 6-4, 6-4, Lok still had the opportunity to play for fifth place.

And he made the most of this opportunity. Lok convincingly defeated the No. 2 and No. 3 players from New York and eventually derailed Greg Ouelette of Florida in a 6-4, 4-6, 6-3 slugfest.

"I won a lot of big important points in the final of the playoff for fifth place," Lok said.

Lok, who's entering the seventh grade at King's Academy in Sunnyvale, appears to have quite a future ahead of him. Lok said that as long as his work ethic and love for the sport remain at a high level, he can make it to the pros.

His coach agrees.

"I don't see why not," Simone said, "with his intensity and habit of working very hard, he can go anywhere."