'Shy' Pinay teen rises to become champion tennis player in US

By ANDREI MEDINA, GMA News

Published July 25, 2012 3:30pm

Her mom describes her as a shy person, who loves to sit in a quiet corner, listening to music. Now, sixteen-year-old Marian Jade Capadocia has become a celebrity of sorts after becoming the single and doubles tennis champion for the 18 and under categories of the United States Tennis Association (USTA). In an interview with GMA News Online on Wednesday, Charito Capadocia, Marian Jade’s mom, said, “Tahimik lang siya lagi, hindi mo aakalaing tennis player kasi lagi lang siya nasa gilid at nakikinig sa music.” “Mabait din siya, disiplinado, masipag at ayaw niya mag-home study,” Charito added. Charito said Marian Jade, who recently graduated from high school at the Arellano University Mabini Campus, has been playing tennis since age eight. Charito and her husband Joenito, being former tennis players themselves, were the ones who encouraged Marian Jade to play tennis. The couple played together in tournaments when they were in high school. However, they do not play tennis anymore unless Joenito needs to give Marian Jade actual lessons. Charito said they are weighing their options on whether to let Marian study abroad or in the Philippines but will prioritize tennis.

“Maraming offers and invitations kahit sa America pero focus muna kami sa tennis for now kasi nasa peak pa siya. Yung schooling nandiyan lang naman yan,” Charito said. She also mentioned that Marian Jade’s first choice was to become a fashion designer while her second choice was to take up a Business Administration course.

US champion Marian Jade became the 18 and under single and doubles tennis champion for the United States Tennis Association (USTA) Canyon Crest Summer Junior Open Tournament held from July 14 to 15 and July 21 to 22 in Riverside, California.

Marian Jade is currently #1 in the 18 and under and women singles category in the Philippines.

She partnered with Marian Ante for the doubles match, eventually winning the championship.

According to Charito, Marian Jade's achievements include:

2012 Champion for 4th Gov. Anacleto Alcala Memorial Cup National Open, Ladies Singles at Lucena City, April 30 to May 5, 2012

2012 Champion for 2nd Cainta Open in Cainta Rizal, April 9 to 15

2011 Champion for 18 and under ITF singles, Hong Kong Open Junior Tennis Championships, Victoria Park Tennis Court, Hong Kong, October 3 to 8

Won gold for “Palarong Pambansa” six times, most recent is last year at Dapitan City, May 8 to 14.

2011 South East Asia tournament bronze medalist, one of youngest at 16

2011 Champion of Women’s Udondhani Open in Thailand, March 12 to 15

2012 Cainta Open Champion, April 9 to 15

One of the highlights of her career was when she won the Philippine Columbian Association (PCA) Open last December 5, 2011 where she defeated Clarice Patrimonio during the finals becoming the youngest winner in PCA history.

Patrimonio is the daughter of Philippine basketball legend, Alvin ‘The Captain’ Patrimonio and is currently the # 2 of the women’s single category in the Philippines. In need of sponsors Marian Jade, who is ranked # 338 in the International Tennis Federation (ITF), trains five times a day for eight hours in various exercises, her mother said. She initially went to the United States with her coach and dad Joenito to train and gauge her skill. She will stay there until October 29 this year. Marian Jade also has the chance to compete in two important tennis tournaments if she can be backed up by a sponsor, her mother says. The tournaments are:

Maryland USTA International Hardcourt Open from August 20 to 26

US Grandslam Tournament: US Open Junior Tennis Championships from Sept 2 to 9 in New York

Interested parties may contact them through email: mariancapadocia@yahoo.com chat_cap12760@yahoo.com - VVP, GMA News

Tags: marianjadecapadocia, unitedstates, tennis