• Madison County Record
    • Madison Living
    • Living 50 Plus
    • Explore
    • Classifieds
    • Public Notices
      • Public Notices
      • Alabama Public Notices
    • E-editions
    • Contact Us
    • Services
      • About Us
      • List of Locations
      • Subscribe
      • Policies
      • Terms of use
      • Submit a news tip
      • Submit a photo
      • Birth announcement
      • Engagement announcement
      • Wedding announcement
      • Submit a Classified Ad
      • Letter to the Editor
    • Madison County Record
    • Madison Living
    • Living 50 Plus
    • Explore
    • Classifieds
    • Public Notices
      • Public Notices
      • Alabama Public Notices
    • E-editions
    • Contact Us
    • Services
      • About Us
      • List of Locations
      • Subscribe
      • Policies
      • Terms of use
      • Submit a news tip
      • Submit a photo
      • Birth announcement
      • Engagement announcement
      • Wedding announcement
      • Submit a Classified Ad
      • Letter to the Editor

Hartselle Enquirer
  • Home
  • News
  • Sports
  • Obits
  • Opinion
  • Public Records
  • Madison County Record
  • Madison Living Magazine
  • Classifieds
  • Public Notices
  • Contact Us
  • Services
  • About Us
  • List of Locations
  • Subscribe
  • Policies
  • Terms of use
  • Submit a News Tip
  • Submit a Photo
  • Birth Announcement
  • Engagement Announcement
  • Wedding Announcement
  • Submit a Classified Ad
  • Letter to the Editor
    Hartselle Enquirer
      • Site logo
      • Home
      • News
      • Sports
      • Schools
      • Opinion
      • Events
      • Lifestyles
      • Business
      • Records
      • Special Sections
      • Site logo
      • Home
      • News
      • Sports
      • Schools
      • Opinion
      • Events
      • Lifestyles
      • Business
      • Records
      • Special Sections
    Madison Players Make USTA Southern; Nick Heng Makes Round Of 16
    ***Caption/Cutline*** Madison's Nicholas Heng qualified for and made his way to the field of 16 at the USTA Southern held in Huntsville. The current player at Auburn University was highly recruited out of high school and will make his way to his sophomore season this fall. Photo: Ron Cioffi/USTA Southern
    Bob Jones High School, FRONT PAGE FEATURED, Madison, Madison Academy, Madison County Record, Sports, Z - News Main
     By  Bob Labbe Published 
    9:47 pm Monday, June 5, 2023

    Madison Players Make USTA Southern; Nick Heng Makes Round Of 16

    MADISON- The recent USTA Southern Pro Circuit Tennis Tournament was a showcase event for three players with ties to Madison as former Bob Jones star Vince Rettke, current Madison Academy player Houston Jacques and current Auburn team player Nicholas Heng made their way to the tournament held on the courts of the Athletic Club of Alabama in Huntsville.

    Heng, an Auburn redshirt player, lives in Madison and attended Alabama Connections Academy, which is a home-school based institution, was the recipient of the 2022 USTA Southern DeWitt Redgrave III Achievement Award. He was highly recruited for college after being named No. 1 in the U.S. in both the 14U and 18U Jr. Tennis.

    Rettke was a 2016 graduate of Bob Jones where he was a two-time AHSAA State Champion in singles play and was named the USTA Junior Player of the Year for Alabama in both 2015 and 2016. He chose to play tennis at Gonzaga where he graduated in 2020 and transferred to Alabama where he played as a graduate student through the 2020-2021 season. He currently works as a test engineer at Torch Technologies.

    Jacques is a sophomore at Madison Academy and was the 2022 AHSAA State Champion in doubles play with his older brother, Parker.

    Jacques won his first qualifying match 6-2, 5-7, (10-8) over Jared Thompkins (USA) before falling to Enzo Aguiard (Aus) 7-5, 6-3 and not making the singles draw.

    Rettke advanced to the singles draw with qualifying wins of 6-4, 6-1 over Drew Van Orderlain (USA) and 7-6 (3), 6-4 over Evan Bynoe (USA). In the main draw, Rettke did not fare very well losing in straight sets of 6-0, 6-4 to Elijah Poritzky (USA).

    As for Heng, he qualified for the main draw in a Wild Card Tournament held in Mississippi. The 5-foot-9, 150 pound 19-year old plays for the Auburn Tigers earning a scholarship in both athletics and academics as he carries a 4.65 grade point average in his studies of prelaw. He said, “My number one goal is to be a professional tennis player, but if that doesn’t work out, I can go to law school. My dream for years was to play college tennis and now that’s what I’m doing the focus will be on the professional side of tennis.”

    Heng began playing tennis at age seven as both his older sister and brother hit the courts and played for both Bob Jones and James Clemens High Schools. He narrowed his choices of playing collegiate tennis to Texas, Michigan and Auburn before accepting the Tigers’ offer of a scholarship to play on The Plains. In his spare time the 12-year resident of Madison loves to read, cook, play video games and play the ukulele.

    In the USTA Southern, he took down American Jose Garcia 6-4, 6-3 earning Heng his first professional ATP point and advancing to the tournament’s quarterfinals. Heng said of his first match, “I knew exactly what I wanted to do as Jose is a good friend of mine. My nerves of facing my first match went through the roof as I was physically shaking, but after I settled down and my nerves completely subsided, I had all the confidence I needed.”

    “My second match was against 29-year old Roberto Cid Subervi of the Dominican Republic as he’s been ranked as high as No. 200 in the world,” said Heng. “Though he was coming back from an injury, he was very good as he played at a level I never before experienced first-hand. I ripped the ball as hard as I could in front of my family who was there in support of my efforts.”

    The fourth-seeded Subervi defeated Heng 6-4, 6-4 in the tournament’s round of 16 on the clay courts of the Athletic Club of Alabama. The match was played under the club’s balcony, which was filled with an enthusiastic crowd of Heng’s family and friends as he trains at the facility, which he calls his home club. The difference in the match came down to one service break per set by Cid Subervi. Heng scored one ace, but threw in six double faults.

    Heng also played in the doubles action of the USTA Southern where he teamed up with Eli Stephenson, 18, who will play for the Kentucky Wildcats next season. They’ve played junior tournaments together and were eager to step onto the clay courts for the professional side of tennis versus the doubles team of Sathi Reddy Chirala (India) and Cid Subervi. Heng and Stephenson scored a 6-2, 6-2 first match victory as they advanced to round two versus Chad Kissell (USA) and Roy Stepanov (Canada).

    “Although the match was close, we weren’t expecting that high level of play as they came out firing away and we had a slow start,” said Heng of the doubles match in which he and his partner lost 7-6(3), 7-5. “They certainly knew how to play doubles. In the tie-breaker, I missed a few shots I should have made. In the second game we were down 4-1, but came back to tie the score at four-all, but just couldn’t hold on for the victory.”

    Unseeded Fnu Nidunjianzan, from China, who plays at Princeton University, showed grit in the men’s singles final focusing in the second set to defeat fourth-seeded Cid Subervi 7-5, 6-3 in the finals of the USTA Southern. In the women’s finals, top-seeded Frenchwoman Tiphanie Lemaitre downed Floridian D.J. Bennett 6-7(3), 7-6(5), 6-2 for the Southern title.

    As a redshirt, Heng was allowed to train and travel with the Auburn team and allows him to have four more years for the SEC squad. “Next season I get to compete, but in the meantime this summer I’ll be playing in ITF events, which is lower level tournaments including in locales such as the Dominican Republic and Illinois, plus in Oklahoma where I used to train. The Southern was a great experience and I now have points allotted to my professional resume.”

    Also on The Madison Record
    Madison girls planning annual Lemonade for St. Jude on July 12
    A: Main, Events, Lifestyles, ...
    Lemonade Stand for St. Jude
    Madison girls planning annual Lemonade for St. Jude on July 12
    KADIE VICK kadie@themadisonrecord.com 
    July 10, 2025
    MADISON - Two local girls in fifth and sixth grade are selflessly using time during their summer break to raise money for a great cause. Landri Kruse ...
    {"epopulate_editorials_prism":"epopulate_editorials_prism", "madison-record":"Madison Record"}{"madison-record":"Madison Record"}
    Sparkman track star qualifies for AAU Junior Olympic Games
    A: Main, Madison County Record, News, ...
    Sparkman track star qualifies for AAU Junior Olympic Games
    Bob Labbe 
    July 9, 2025
    HARVEST - With his sights set on attending college within weeks, Joe Quez Keith has a major event he has prepped for that has occupied his entire summ...
    {"epopulate_editorials_prism":"epopulate_editorials_prism", "madison-record":"Madison Record"}{"madison-record":"Madison Record"}
    Little Booths Market Day will debut at The Grove Church July 12
    A: Main, Events, Lifestyles, ...
    Little Booths Market Day will debut at The Grove Church July 12
    Gregg Parker 
    July 9, 2025
    MADISON – A special event for young, aspiring entrepreneurs and vendors will debut this Saturday in Madison with Little Booths Market Day. Little Boot...
    {"epopulate_editorials_prism":"epopulate_editorials_prism", "madison-record":"Madison Record"}{"madison-record":"Madison Record"}
    Discovery recognizes Quamae Jackson as ‘Staff Member of the Year’
    Madison County Record, News, Schools, ...
    Discovery recognizes Quamae Jackson as ‘Staff Member of the Year’
    Gregg Parker 
    July 9, 2025
    MADISON – Quamae Jackson’s job carries personal importance in his life. Teachers and staff at Discovery Middle School selected Jackson as “Staff Membe...
    {"epopulate_editorials_prism":"epopulate_editorials_prism", "madison-record":"Madison Record"}{"madison-record":"Madison Record"}
    Mill Creek archers qualify for World Archery Tournament
    Madison County Record, News, Schools, ...
    Mill Creek archers qualify for World Archery Tournament
    Gregg Parker 
    July 9, 2025
    MADISON – Mill Creek Elementary School is home to numerous toxophilites . . . but there’s no cause for alarm. In fact, the campus is fortunate to have...
    {"epopulate_editorials_prism":"epopulate_editorials_prism", "madison-record":"Madison Record"}{"madison-record":"Madison Record"}
    Madison City Chess League youth augment skills at summer meets
    Madison County Record, News, Schools, ...
    Madison City Chess League youth augment skills at summer meets
    Gregg Parker 
    July 9, 2025
    MADISON – Chess players can avoid the ‘summer slide’ and keep their skills sharpened with numerous tournaments across Alabama and in other states. “Ar...
    {"epopulate_editorials_prism":"epopulate_editorials_prism", "madison-record":"Madison Record"}{"madison-record":"Madison Record"}
    Shakespeare in the Garden returns to Huntsville Botanical Garden
    Events, Lifestyles, Madison County Record, ...
    Shakespeare in the Garden returns to Huntsville Botanical Garden
    Annual tradition making Shakespeare’s plays accessible
    Maria Rakoczy 
    July 9, 2025
    HUNTSVILLE - A midsummer night’s dream becomes reality with Huntsville Shakespeare. Set to a backdrop of golden hour at the amphitheater at the Huntsv...
    {"epopulate_editorials_prism":"epopulate_editorials_prism", "madison-record":"Madison Record"}{"madison-record":"Madison Record"}
    Hallman, Auffenorde, Bartley and therapeutic art set for Blue Apple Books in July
    Events, Madison County Record, News, ...
    Hallman, Auffenorde, Bartley and therapeutic art set for Blue Apple Books in July
    Gregg Parker 
    July 9, 2025
    MADISON – Nail-biting literary drama, self-help and healthy relaxation are on the July schedule at Blue Apple Books. Alabama author Jennifer Hallman o...
    {"epopulate_editorials_prism":"epopulate_editorials_prism", "madison-record":"Madison Record"}{"madison-record":"Madison Record"}

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    ❮ ❯
    Get Legals or Public Notices Published
    Latest Local News
    Madison girls planning annual Lemonade for St. Jude on July 12
    Madison girls planning annual Lemonade for St. Jude on July 12
    MADISON - Two local girls in fifth and sixth grade are selflessly using time during their summer break to raise money for a great cause. Landri Kruse ...
    July 10, 2025
    Sparkman track star qualifies for AAU Junior Olympic Games
    Sparkman track star qualifies for AAU Junior Olympic Games
    HARVEST - With his sights set on attending college within weeks, Joe Quez Keith has a major event he has prepped for that has occupied his entire summ...
    July 9, 2025
    Little Booths Market Day will debut at The Grove Church July 12
    Little Booths Market Day will debut at The Grove Church July 12
    MADISON – A special event for young, aspiring entrepreneurs and vendors will debut this Saturday in Madison with Little Booths Market Day. Little Boot...
    July 9, 2025
    Discovery recognizes Quamae Jackson as ‘Staff Member of the Year’
    Discovery recognizes Quamae Jackson as ‘Staff Member of the Year’
    MADISON – Quamae Jackson’s job carries personal importance in his life. Teachers and staff at Discovery Middle School selected Jackson as “Staff Membe...
    July 9, 2025
    Mill Creek archers qualify for World Archery Tournament
    Mill Creek archers qualify for World Archery Tournament
    MADISON – Mill Creek Elementary School is home to numerous toxophilites . . . but there’s no cause for alarm. In fact, the campus is fortunate to have...
    July 9, 2025

    More Local News

    Our Latest E-edition
    Read the most recent edition
    Latest Stories
    Flow&Grow hosts second Flow Jam on July 26
    Flow&Grow hosts second Flow Jam on July 26
    HUNTSVILLE - Huntsville Flow&Grow provides a community for locals who practice flow arts with weekly meetings and an upcoming Flow Jam. “I was rea...
    July 9, 2025
    USTA U16 Girls Clay Court Nationals set for Huntsville
    USTA U16 Girls Clay Court Nationals set for Huntsville
    HUNTSVILLE - For eight consecutive days, the top under 16 girls tennis players in the United States will spring to action at the Athletic Club of Alab...
    July 9, 2025
    Declining gas prices buck annual trend and earlier expectations
    Declining gas prices buck annual trend and earlier expectations
    MADISON - Bucking earlier expectations for mid-summer, gas prices have continued to decline. Even though the cost for gas locally has risen some since...
    July 8, 2025
    Limestone Co. Sheriff’s Office: Violent felon arrested with weapon, stolen identities in multi-state fraud case
    LIMESTONE COUNTY - According to the Limestone County Sheriff’s Office, a Birmingham man with a violent criminal history was arrested after detectives ...
    July 8, 2025
    Exclusive: Movie planned on life of baseball’s Jose Canseco
    Exclusive: Movie planned on life of baseball’s Jose Canseco
    Editor’s note: Former Major League Baseball superstar Jose Canseco spoke exclusively with Bob Labbe of the Madison Record about the former All-Star’s ...
    July 2, 2025
    poll
    Latest Sports
    Sparkman track star qualifies for AAU Junior Olympic Games
    Sparkman track star qualifies for AAU Junior Olympic Games
    HARVEST - With his sights set on attending college within weeks, Joe Quez Keith has a major event he has prepped for that has occupied his entire summ...
    July 9, 2025
    USTA U16 Girls Clay Court Nationals set for Huntsville
    USTA U16 Girls Clay Court Nationals set for Huntsville
    HUNTSVILLE - For eight consecutive days, the top under 16 girls tennis players in the United States will spring to action at the Athletic Club of Alab...
    July 9, 2025
    Exclusive: Movie planned on life of baseball’s Jose Canseco
    Exclusive: Movie planned on life of baseball’s Jose Canseco
    Editor’s note: Former Major League Baseball superstar Jose Canseco spoke exclusively with Bob Labbe of the Madison Record about the former All-Star’s ...
    July 2, 2025
    Mitch Daly on the move: Former Bob Jones standout moving from Trash Pandas to 66ers
    Mitch Daly on the move: Former Bob Jones standout moving from Trash Pandas to 66ers
    MADISON- The Rocket City Trash Pandas has made a series of player moves including Mitch Daly. The Bob Jones High graduate and only local player to sui...
    June 18, 2025
    Daly returns home to play for Trash Pandas
    Daly returns home to play for Trash Pandas
    MADISON - Since birth, Mitch Daly has always been on the move as his father, Ed, is a four-star general in the U.S. Army causing him to pack up his wi...
    May 26, 2025

    More Sports Stories

    x

    Sections

    • Home
    • News
    • Sports
    • Opinion
    • Lifestyles
    • Obits
    • Business
    • Sponsored Content
      • Home
      • News
      • Sports
      • Opinion
      • Lifestyles
      • Obits
      • Business
      • Sponsored Content

    Other Publications

    Madison Living Logo Living 50 Plus Logo

    Services

    • About Us
    • Subscribe
    • Advertise With Us
    • Policies
    • Terms of use
    • Submit a news tip
    • Submit a photo
    • Birth announcement
    • Birthday announcement
    • Engagement announcement
    • Wedding announcement
    • Sign Up For Our Free Newsletter
      • About Us
      • Subscribe
      • Advertise With Us
      • Policies
      • Terms of use
      • Submit a news tip
      • Submit a photo
      • Birth announcement
      • Birthday announcement
      • Engagement announcement
      • Wedding announcement
      • Sign Up For Our Free Newsletter

    Follow Us

    Copyright

    © , The Madison Record