Denver City Open defending champions Mallory Voelker and Cory Ross are quite familiar with one another after working at Cherry Hills Country Club last summer.
And while the two devoted the majority of their time teaching children to play tennis, the top seeds for this year’s Open, which begins today, have faced off a few times in the past year.
“We used to hit around and get out there,” Voelker said. “I used to try and take him down, but he is pretty good, so I can’t really beat him.”
So instead, Voelker will attempt to join him.
Her march toward the women’s Colorado Grand Triple begins today and continues over the next few months in the Boulder Open (Aug. 7-15) and Colorado State Open (Sept. 10-19).
“Cory has (won all three tournaments), so I can try to do that as well,” Voelker said. “It would be cool if I can win all three.”
Ross completed the Colorado Grand Slam in 2007, becoming only the second player in state history to do so. On the men’s side, players also have to win the Elam Tennis Classic — which doesn’t draw a women’s division — to qualify for the slam.
For Voelker, the magic number is three.
She is searching for her third Denver City Open championship in as many years. Voelker’s first step is to make it to the City Open’s June 27 finals.
“Whenever I enter a tournament or any type of match, I want to win,” the 22-year-old said. “I definitely want to win a third one.”
Entering her first match, Voelker will feed off her experience, though this is the first scenario her tag as a former University of Denver star will be replaced with Colorado State assistant coach. She’s not worried.
As far as preparation, practicing with the Rams players during the season and teaching tennis at Fort Collins Country Club has kept the rust off Voelker’s game.
That’s good for Voelker, because, according to Ross, any display of corrosion at any point in a match could result in an early exit, and the Colorado Grand Triple would shrivel down to the Colorado Tiny Two.
“Every time you step on the court is potentially a time when your goal of winning a Grand Slam could be taken away from you,” Ross said. “Every single thing is on the line.”
Similar to her job description at Cherry Hills and CSU, Voelker expects to teach the competition a thing or two.
“If I’m the No. 1 seed, then I feel I should probably win the tournament,” Voelker said. “I’ll go into the tournament with the same expectations, and I feel I will do well.”
Shemar Woods: 303-954-1609 or swoods@denverpost.com
Denver City Open tennis tournament
When: Today-June 27
Where: Denver Tennis Club
Participants: Approximately 500
Schedule
Semifinals: June 26, women at 9 a.m., men at 10:30 a.m.
Finals: June 27, women at 9 a.m., men at 10:30 a.m.
Top seeds: Mallory Voelker, women; Cory Ross, men
