It was a meeting of tennis royalty in Mason, Ohio last week, when Roger Federer took to the court with a teenage player from King’s High School in nearby Kings Mill. The teenager was 18-year-old Matt Allare, who last Monday was named high school Player of the Year by the National High School Coaches Association.
The 6’ 6,” 195-pound Allare, like his long-limbed professional counterparts Sam Querry and John Isner, is known for his big serve and went 27-0 this year, becoming the Ohio Division I singles champion for the fourth straight year.
He has signed on with Ohio State University, where he will be a freshman this fall. And while many an American player has gone to play college tennis only to opt out after a couple years – the Bryan brothers, James Blake, Lisa Raymond – there are a handful like Paul Goldstein, who stick it out.
Allare has his sights set on “a normal college life” for now. “I have every intention of being there all four years,” says the aspiring business major. “I may try to play some futures and satellites but the pro tour is a long way away.
“I had always had the intention of going to college because it is the right thing to do. To skip college for me would just be dumb because education is really important in the world today.”
There’s something to be said for embracing the sport away from the glare of the professional spotlight, but what if the spotlight comes calling?
Last week, Allare was awakened by a call on his cell phone from someone at his tennis club, asking if he would be available to hit with Roger Federer in 15 to 30 minutes at the Linder Family Tennis Center, home of the Western and Southern Mutual Life Masters event.
Of course, Allare couldn’t resist. He made the short walk from his home to the tennis complex, where he found Mirka Vavrinec, Federer’s longtime girlfriend and frequent hitting partner, at the tournament desk. She was asking if the tournament had found someone who could hit with her No. 1 man, since the scorching temperatures made it difficult for her to do so. Shortly thereafter, Federer himself walked in and introductions took place.
Within minutes, Allare was on court in front of nearly 300 people hitting with Federer in what he calls “an experience I will never forget.”
“It was the most amazing thing,” he said. “I just thought ‘Wow, I am hitting with the best player who ever picked up a racquet.’ I hope I didn’t mess up too much.
“His ball is so incredibly heavy. His slice backhand stays an inch off the ground. The spin is great and he is fast. Even when I would hit the ball away from him, he would get to it as if I had hit it right to him,” he says of what makes Federer so great on the court.
“He is not known for his serve and volley tactics, but he never missed them. He is an incredible athlete.”
The Swiss stylist also made an impression on Allare off the court with his his low-maintenance, high-class demeanor. He picked up his own balls, arrived without security or an entourage, and stopped to say hello to Allare by name in the lunchroom the day after they practiced.
“He is just a fantastic person, a really nice guy,” said Allare. “He is a great person from what I have seen.”
“He is the best player of all time and I can say I got to hit with him.”
And during breaks, did the youngster hit up the world No. 1 for any advice? Not really, said Allare, but Federer did inquire about his future plans and approved of his decision to attend college. He also suggested that the Ohio State freshman play some futures events for a small taste of what lies ahead, should Allare want to take that path.
Allare was first coached by his mother, a former player at Florida Southern who played professional tour in the early 1980s. His father played for Notre Dame. He credits not only his parents for his tennis success, but also his coaches Steve and Mario Contardi at Harper’s Point Racquet Club, where he trains.
"He's the most talented player I've seen come out of Cincinnati," Mario Contardi has said of his charge. "Aside from his size and strength, he's just a natural athlete."