home    clubs    tips    personalities    equipment    advertising    trivia    matchmaker

personalities

Jon Causon

What racquet sports have you competed in?

Tennis

Tell us about your early years playing raquet sports.

I started playing tennis when I was eight and started competing when I was nine. I trained with the Manitoba Provincial Tennis Team from the age of twelve to sixteen. I was sponsored by Wilson Sporting Goods for four years (1989-1992). I am currently sponsored by Prince Sports. I've travelled heavily around Canada and the US in my early years competing. I competed in five national championships and finished as high as #16 ranked Junior player in the country in 1991.

Why did you start playing?

I started playing tennis at first because my parents played tennis. I started watching my brother play and compete and wanted to follow suit. I've always been a competitor and I knew that at a very young age. It kept me out of trouble and taught me the benefits of hard work.

Who inspired you?

I couldn't really single out one person who inspired me to play. I've had tons of coaches in my early years and they all pushed me to a different level. I guess if I could name a few who had a little more influence on me would be Kevin Nimchonok, Rob Johnson, and Susan Stone. I would say that Kevin and Rob had more influence on me as a player but Susan taught me that competing is only one aspect of the sport. She was a great teacher and administrator and I always admired that. The respect that she was given as a player and coach was something I wanted to achieve.

Who are your favorite players and why?

I always liked Stefan Edberg. Solid game and nobody had any negative things to say about him. Yanick Noah and Henri Laconte. Both go for broke and go for shots (more so Laconte). Not the most consistent but always crowd favorites. Wayne Ferraira. Didn't say much but had a huge forehand! Pat Rafter. Like Edberg, solid. If there was anyone who's footwork and courtspeed to emulate it would be his. Richey Reneberg. I always liked watching him play doubles. He would have won the 1994 US Open but he pulled a hamstring. Todd Martin. Extremely talented for a huge guy. I think it's amazing how a guy 6 foot 6 can crank the two handed backhand. Evegeny Kafelnikov. Cranks balls and is as good a doubles player as he is a singles player. That's how I measure a good player. If he can play both singles and doubles well. That's a complete player.

What are your career highlights?

Finishing as the 16th ranked Junior in Canada in 1991. Finally developing as a singles player. Making the Mens Singles Final at the 1998 Manitoba Open as an unseeded player. Beating Ray Daumler for the first time in the semi-final of the 1998 Manitoba Open. Beating Ray again in the final of the 1998 Winnipeg Open Final for my first "Adult Open" singles title. Pulling off back to back triple crowns (singles, doubles, mixed winner) at the 1999 Manitoba Indoor Open in Sept and then at the Ensis Winnipeg Open in Nov. Being a part of the 1995 and 2000 University of Manitoba Tennis team that recently won the Western University Tennis Championships.

Anything else you want to share?

Start playing tennis, it'll only do you some good.

Where do you play?

I play at the Winnipeg Winter Club

What is your work?

I'm the Assistant Tennis Pro at the Winnipeg Winter Club.

Peter Otto (owner)
312 Springfield Rd
Winnipeg, Manitoba
204-229-6025
peter@courtathlete.com