PETE ZIEBRON
15 year-old Parris Todd is currently competing on the ITF Challenger Circuit.
Parris Todd was discovered in 2012 when she was working on her tennis game, practicing on the courts near her home in Newport Beach, California. While training with her strategy coach, Mike Saunders, Parris caught the eye of University of California-Irvine coach Trevor Kronemann. As a result of her crisp ball striking during her session with Saunders, Parris was subsequently invited to be an alternate player for the Orange County Breakers World Team tennis franchise and eventually became a hitting partner for the team, also coached by Kronemann.
For Parris Todd, it was a thrill to join the Breakers, as she received the invitation from Coach Kronemann on her 14th birthday. The next day, Parris became teammates with Lindsay Davenport on the Breakers and joined a professional tennis league as a result of her ability to replicate match play when hitting with the world's elite tennis players.
Today, like most promising 15 year-olds, Parris Todd is currently competing on the International Tennis Federation Challenger circuit. On this stage, players are using match play to fine tune their game and concurrently seek to eventually win the $10,000 and $25,000 Challenger events. Perfecting proper technique and consistently executing strategy on the court are the primary and foundational goals at this level in professional tennis.
In addition to performance on the court, positive and encouraging coaching and feedback are essential to establishing a solid foundation in both the belief and the training regimen of the prospect. Last year Liga Dekmeijure, a seasoned WTA veteran and member of the Breakers squad, was paired with Parris as a hitting partner. Liga was immediately impressed with what she saw in Parris' game and reached out to Sandy Mittleman, President and CEO of the MLJ Group, suggesting that he take a closer look at Parris Todd's efforts on the tennis court. Mittleman has a keen eye for talent as he spent time at the Bollettieri Tennis Academy and has worked with several professional players including Dekmeijure and Camila Giorgi.
- "There are three things I look for in a player; honesty in who they really are, passion for the game and the ability to do what others are not willing to do to be successful and Parris fits all three like a glove." - Sandy Mittleman
Following a one week trip to Rochester, NY to practice with Sandy Mittleman, their decision to work together was mutual. Parris Todd recognizes that Mittleman is someone who allows her to maximize her talent and abilities on the tennis court. Concurrently, Sandy Mittleman sees a jewel of a player in Parris Todd - an athlete who possesses the necessary passion, character and willingness to put in the hard work - yet also someone who is in need of polish and refinement.
- "Sandy encourages me to be ME and play my game." - Parris Todd
Parris Todd serving on the practice court.
Working with Sandy Mittleman has immediately paid dividends. As the business manager of Parris Todd, he has been able to provide her first professional contract with Wilson and as her tour coach continues to improve her game on the court, now with clear and professional direction, intention and focus. Coach Mittleman will also schedule the rest of Parris' year accordingly, strategically competing in the tournaments that will benefit her the most. Mittleman will travel with Parris to provide the day to day counsel that is imperative for promising players to continue to be able to mark their progress on and off the court to gradually and eventually achieve success on larger stages.
Parris cited Maria Sharapova as one of her favorite players because Sharapova is a fighter. She also mentioned Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, since he is fun to watch on the court. The game of Parris Todd also provides spectators with flashes of entertainment as she excels at taking the ball early, especially in backhand exchanges with opponents.
The combination of the fact that Parris has been on the roster of the Orange County Breakers, was briefly tutored by Billie Jean King and is currently working daily with Sandy Mittleman is allowing her to improve her techniques while competing on the ITF Pro Circuit. Parris recently decided that she is ready to maximize her efforts and abilities as a professional tennis player and Sandy Mittleman will provide the firm yet gentle instruction and implementation to help Parris win in Paris and throughout the rest of the world in the very near future.
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