Stineman to play in pro tourney

Updated: June 21, 2011 1:24PM

Some would say Robert Stineman has grown up quickly.

Just days after graduating from New Trier, winning back-to-back state titles and carrying his team to its second consecutive IHSA crown, Stineman jumped right into another tennis competition in the Midwest District tournament.

And in just a few more days, he will compete in his first-ever pro tournament, at the Nielsen Pro Tennis USTA Championship at the Nielsen Center in Winnetka. The 18-year-old from Winnetka will compete in the qualifying rounds on Sunday, hoping to advance to the main singles draw, June 27 to July 2.

“It’s going to be a really good chance for me to get some experience playing at the next level and see where my game kind of stands right now,” said Stineman, who is ranked No. 6 in USTA Boys 18.

Among the 32-player field, only the four who win three matches in the qualifying rounds advance to the bigger tournament and contend for the $50,000 prize. Most importantly, the event is a Challenger — one step behind the ATP World Tour — and is an opportunity for pros to improve their rankings.

Stineman found his way into the qualifying rounds by receiving one of three wild cards from tournament director Linda Goodman.

A wild card is the only way for someone like Stineman, who is unranked and not listed as a professional, to compete in the tournament, which features players ranked between 40-200.

The event is the only professional tennis tournament in the Chicago area. Goodman remembers legends like eight-time Grand Slam champion Pete Sampras playing in the Nielsen Pro tournament, which will receive a plaque next week commemorating its 20th year.

“We have the reputation on the USTA Pro Circuit as being one of the nicest tournaments,” Goodman said. “Sam Querrey (who has earned more than $3 million on the ATP Tour) won the tournament four years ago. As I was walking with him down to meet with the press, he told me, ‘Linda, this is like being at the U.S. Open.’ ”

With the other wild-card bids still pending, Stineman, who celebrated his birthday on May 4, currently is the youngest player in the event, fresh out of high school.

As a local from the area and one of the most decorated prep athletes in Illinois, Stineman’s name easily caught Goodman’s eye.

“It’s a wonderful, wonderful exceptional opportunity for him,” said Goodman, who has directed the tournament all 20 years.

Goodman was surprised to learn that Stineman was a ball boy for the tournament as a youngster, as well as a volunteer the last five years with the North Shore Special Recreation Association’s tennis team, a charitable recipient of the tournament’s proceeds.

Though it may sound intimidating facing more experienced players from around the world, Stineman had no hint of nervousness in his voice.

“I’m not really going into the tournament with any expectations,” Stineman said. “My major goal throughout this tournament, throughout this entire summer, throughout my career is to stay focused no matter what the match is and treat every match the same and not put too much pressure on myself. Going into this tournament, which is probably the biggest tournament I’ve ever played, I think that will help me a lot.”

Stineman does not lack for exposure. Last week he was in Sports Illustrated’s “Faces in the Crowd,” after finishing his senior year undefeated and will play for Stanford in the fall.

“We’ll see what happens in these upcoming tournaments,” Stineman said. “Hopefully I can try to make a name for myself.”

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