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Keleske’s take marriage to the court

Ian Cropp
Vail, CO Colorado
SPT Tennis Couple 1 DT 8-16-07
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VAIL ” In doubles tennis, it’s all about having a good partner.

One you can trust. One you won’t get too made at.

Like a husband. Or a wife.



Just ask Marc and Vicky Keleske of Vail. The Keleske’s, almost six years into their marriage, are ripping it up on the court in the husband and wife circuit.

“We started playing in local tournaments, then a few across the state and it progressed into national tournaments for us this year,” Marc said.

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The Keleske’s are the No. 4 ranked couple for the husband and wife 30-and up division nationally.

“We enjoy being together out there, spending time out there,” Marc said. “Most of the time it’s good.”

“Ninety percent of the time it’s good,” Vicky added.

And in tennis, hitting 90 percent of the time is way above the curve. It helps, though, when you win, which the Keleske’s do quite well.

“We’ve played together so long that we kind of know what shot either one of us would hit before its hit, so that kind of sets up the other person,” Marc said.

In May at the United States Tennis Association National Husband and Wife Indoor championships, the Keleseke’s took second, falling 6-4, 6-4 in the finals.

Eight years ago, Marc met Vicky through a mutual tennis friend. And only then did Vicky, who is from South Africa, start playing competitively. It didn’t take long for Vicky to excel.

“I have a full-time coach, and that’s a huge difference,” said Vicky, who is now an assistant pro at the Ford Park Tennis Center, where Marc served as an assistant pro for 12 years.

“It’s impressive for Vicky to get to the level she’s at,” Marc said.

In addition to all the time the Keleske’s spend practicing on the court, they rack up the hours together at Marc’s business ” Chicago Pizza in West Vail.

“We only work together, train together and play tennis together,” Vicky joked.

“We’ve been together 24-7, which is like married for six years times three,” Marc said.

But they do spent time apart on the court. Both Marc and Vicky play singles, as well as doubles with other partners, and are just as proficient when they are playing solo.

Marc is ranked No. 23 for his age group nationally, while Vicky is ranked No. 5. ” both personal highs.

As far as preference in playing, Marc likes all three, unlike Vicky.

“Singles,” she said. “You’re responsible for your actions. You don’t feel guilty when you miss a shot. It’s such a team thing where you feel like you let the other person down if you miss a shot. I hate that. But in singles if you miss a shot, you can only be mad at yourself. And I think my strategy is better at singles. Marc teaches me a lot about the strategy in the doubles.”

Marc also serves as the scout.

“When (Vicky) is playing singles, I’ll watch (her opponents) play. And in mixed doubles, I’ll do the same and try to watch (our) opponents and bring some strategy.”

Legwork begins even before the Keleske’s head out, though.

“The Internet has really provided a lot of information,” Marc said. “You can look up (opponents’) record, see what they play and see their rank.”

The Keleske’s plan on continuing their partnership on the court for a while.

“It’ really unique,” Marc said. “We can play open or mixed doubles. It doesn’t’ have to be husband and wife.”

And for a long time.

“There are age groups up to 90,” Vicky said. “If you can live that long, you can keep going.”

Sports Writer Ian Cropp can be reached at 748-2935 or icropp@vaildaily.com.


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