Tennis: Tiburon Challenger alums shine at French

Tiburon Challenger alums continue to dazzle on the sport’s biggest stages, including the famed red clay of Roland-Garros in Paris.

Marcel Granollers has used the annual Tiburon pro tennis tournament to tune up his game en route to an extraordinary run in doubles with Horacio Zeballos, highlighted by capturing the French Open men’s doubles crown last Saturday.

Adding an extra layer of local appeal, Tiburon’s Dan Grossman manages and advises the newly crowned Grand Slam champions and was prominently featured in the players’ box during the worldwide broadcast.

“Winning Roland-Garros is a great Tiburon Challenger story,” said Grossman. “The French Open title was the (career) highlight for all of us.”

Former Tiburon Challenger players have combined to capture 11 Grand Slam doubles titles. Rajeev Ram, who reached Tiburon’s 2013 doubles final, has won six. Jack Sock, the 2012 Tiburon singles champ, claimed four.

In their fourth Grand Slam final together, Granollers and Zeballos defeated Great Britain’s Joe Salisbury and Neal Skupski 6-0, 6-7 (5), 7-5. They reached the Wimbledon doubles finals in 2021 and 2023 and the 2019 U.S. Open.

“This time, they were ready and came out strong,” said Grossman. “Before the match, in the locker room, Horacio asked (two-time French singles champ) Carlos Alcaraz what it takes to win a Slam. Carlos told him you have to take the match. Be aggressive, play with full confidence, and take the match. Don’t wait for the match to come to you, because it won’t.”

Zeballos, a 40-year-old from Argentina, and Granollers, a 39-year-old from Spain, have been ranked No. 1 in the world, but are currently No. 3 as a team. In singles, Granollers ranked as high as No. 19 in 2012; Zeballos rose to No. 39 in 2013.

Grossman also has an impressive resume. He played No. 1 singles and doubles at Yale and revived his game to achieve No. 1 world rankings in the 65s and 70s divisions.

With Grossman in their corner, Granollers and Zeballos have played together since 2019. Their six-year partnership is the longest of any current pro doubles team.

Grossman began managing and coaching pro players in 2015 after seeing Julio Peralta play in Tiburon, and convincing the Chilean he could excel in doubles. Peralta played with Zeballos from 2016-18.

After an injury sidelined Peralta, the door opened for Granollers to partner with Zeballos. Granollers was already an established doubles player in 2018 when he reached the singles final in Tiburon, losing to Michael Mmoh.

“This has been a 10-year labor of love,” said Grossman. “They have improved as a team every year and continue to improve this year. Winning a Slam has been their goal for a long time.”

To support Zeballos and Granollers, Grossman has attended every Grand Slam tournament since 2019 and most Masters 1000 events.

Here’s an excerpt from the note Zeballos sent to Grossman after their championship run in Paris:

“We will never forget this moment. You made it possible. There are not words that can describe how happy we are and how grateful we are to you. Thanks, Dan.”

The 2025 Tiburon Challenger presented by Raymond James is Sept. 28-Oct. 5.

Marin Championships

The 49th annual Marin Championships drew a record 300 entries to the six-day Level 2 National Tournament.

Headquartered at Mill Valley Tennis Club, the tournament showcased top players from throughout the Bay Area and beyond. Action also took place at The Club at Harbor Point in Mill Valley and Belvedere Tennis Club.

Dan Hiddleson of Larkspur won men’s 45-and-over and 50 singles. He beat Mt. Tam Racquet Club pro Bo Lal for the 50 title, 7-5, 5-7, 6-3.

Candace Davenport, the grande dame at Boyle Park, won women’s 75 singles and 75 doubles with Sandy Lim of Fairfield. Mariko Fritz-Krockow of San Rafael claimed honors in women’s 40 singles and won 40 mixed doubles with Darrin Cohen of Alamo.

Steve de Martini of San Rafael won men’s 70 doubles with Matt Khourie of Houston. Ron Stark of Sausalito and Louis Ramirez of Mill Valley won men’s 75 doubles.

Lisa Trushiem, who runs PlayTennisMarin, won 55 women’s singles. Michelle Kohn of Mill Valley and Kristin Morrell of Greenbrae won women’s 45 doubles.

In 35 mixed doubles, Mill Valley’s Jonathan Aspatore and Jenny Sperry took advantage of the home-court advantage for national honors.