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| Prakash Amritraj (second from right) poses with (from left to right) uncle Anand Amritraj, cousin and doubles partner Stephen and father Vijay during the Mercedes-Benz Cup in Los Angeles (Jeff Gross/Getty Images) |
PRAKASH AMRITRAJBirthdate: Oct. 2, 1983
Birthplace: Encino, Calif.
Residence: Encino, Calif.
Height: 6’ 2”
Weight: 165 lbs.
Plays: Right-handed; two-handed backhand
Eighteen-year-old Prakash Amritraj of Encino, Calif., son of tennis great Vijay Amritraj, captured the singles championship and reached the doubles semifinals at the USTA Boys’ 18 Super National Hard Court Championships, held Aug. 2-11 in Kalamazoo, Mich. Amritraj, the No. 2 seed in singles, defeated No. 8 Doug Stewart of Malibu, Calif., in the best-of-five set final, 5-7, 6-3, 6-4, 6-2. In doubles, he advanced to the semis with cousin Stephen Amritraj, before losing a third-set tie-break, 2-6, 6-4, 7-6 (4), to John Isner of Greensboro, N.C., and Brett Ross of Roswell, Ga. With his victory in singles, Amritraj earned a spot in the main draw of the US Open, which will be held from Aug. 26-Sept. 8 at the USTA National Tennis Center.
Amritraj, who is currently ranked third in the country in the boys’ 18s, completed his freshman year at the University of Southern California in May. He helped lead the Trojans to the NCAA team championship and was named Most Valuable Player after clinching the team’s last three victories.
RANKING HISTORY
2001 – 10 (USTA 18s), 159 (ITF)
2000 – 84 (ITF)
1999 – 21 (USTA 16s), 293 (ITF)
2002 HIGHLIGHTS
- Won the singles title and advanced to the doubles semifinals at the boys’ 18 USTA Super National Hard Court Championships… In singles, Amritraj, seeded second, defeated No. 8 Doug Stewart, 18, in the best-of-five-set final, 5-7, 6-3, 6-4, 6-2… In doubles, he teamed with cousin Stephen Amritraj and advanced to the semifinals before losing to John Isner and Brett Ross, 2-6, 6-4, 7-6 (4).
CAREER HIGHLIGHTS
2001
- Reached the singles quarterfinals and the doubles round of 16 (with Stephen Amritraj) at the boys’ 18 USTA Super National Hard Courts Championships.
- Advanced to the doubles quarterfinals (with Stephen Amritraj) at the LTA International Junior Championships, Roehampton.
- Won the boys’ 18 doubles championship (with Stephen Amritraj) and reached the singles quarterfinals at the USTA Super National Spring Championships – The Easter Bowl.
- Was a semifinalist at the 12th Mitsubishi Lancer International Junior Championships.
- Reached the singles and doubles quarterfinals (with Stephen Amritraj) at the Mali Milk Cup, 21st Thailand Open Junior Championships.
- Won the doubles title (with Stephen Amritraj) at the Singapore International Junior Championships.
2000
- Reached the singles and doubles quarterfinals (with Stephen Amritraj) at the Eddie Herr International.
- Advanced to the doubles quarterfinals (with Stephen Amritraj) and the singles round of 16 at the Regional ITF Junior Tennis Championships – Baton Rouge.
- Won the doubles championship (with Adam Kennedy) at the Canadian Open.
- Advanced to the doubles semifinals (with Stephen Amritraj) at the USTA Junior International Grass Court Championships.
- Finished in third place in singles and advanced to the doubles quarterfinals at the boys’ 16 USTA Super National Hard Court Championships.
- Won both the singles and doubles titles (with Stephen Amritraj) at the 9th Copa Merengue.
- Won the singles championship and reached the doubles quarterfinals (with Stephen Amritraj) at the Aruba International Junior Tournament.
- Reached the boys’ 18 singles quarterfinals at the Quiksilver Roxy.
- Was a singles quarterfinalist at the Malaysian International Junior Championships.
- Won the doubles title (with Yeu Tzuoo Wang) at the 11th Mitsubishi Lancer International Junior Championships.
- Won the doubles title (with Yeu Tzuoo Wang) at the Indonesia International Junior Championships.
1999
- Reached the boys’ 18 singles final at the Dallas T-Bar M International Junior Tennis Championships.
- Was a singles semifinalist at the Thailand Open Junior Championships.
Finished runner-up in doubles (with K.C. Corkery) and reached the singles quarterfinals at the USTA National Clay Court Championships.
PERSONAL
- Father, Vijay, is a former standout on the ATP Tour; mother, Shyamala; younger brother, Vikram, 14.
- Was introduced to tennis by his father at age 2. Vijay is now his personal tennis coach.
- Says his best playing surface is indoor carpet and grass.
- Is a serve-and-volleyer.
- Attended Harvard Westlakes High School through his junior year and began a home-school program through Laurel Springs in the fall of 2000… Graduated from high school in June 2001.
- Completed his freshman year at the University of Southern California, where he led his team to the NCAA team championship… Was named Most Valuable Player after clinching the Trojans’ last three victories… At USC, he is majoring in business, and he earned a 3.1 GPA his first year of college.
- Is sponsored by Prince (racquet, clothing and shoes).
- His birthday is a national holiday in India – it is also Ghandi’s birthday.
- Interests besides tennis include basketball, girls, movies and music… Is also a huge Los Angeles Lakers fan.
- Favorite place to visit is Goa, India.
- Favorite tennis players/pro athletes include his father Vijay, Boris Becker and Mohammed Ali.
- If he was not a tennis player, says he would be an actor.
- Nicknames are Master P and Hollywood.