Tennis’ teen titans to meet

By Kirk Bey / kbey@lacrossetribune.com

It took a few years, but at long last they’ll get to face each other in an honest-to-goodness match.

Kristy Kroker says both she and Maddie Johnson are busy people. They’ve known each other and have been friends for about three or four years, but the only time tennis has brought them together on a court is when they’ve just hit the ball back and forth.

Their meeting Tuesday afternoon will be anything but casual. Johnson is a freshman at Onalaska High School. Kroker is a sophomore at Logan. They both play No. 1 singles for their respective schools. And arguably, both are the top two players in the area. Johnson is 13-0. Kroker is 12-2. “I love playing matches (like this),” Kroker said. “Tennis is an exciting sport.”

Tuesday afternoon’s Mississippi Valley Conference match at the Logan courts might be the first of many exciting contests between Johnson and Kroker over the next three years.

Onalaska freshman Maddie Johnson (13-0)



INTRODUCTION TO TENNIS: When she was about six or seven years old. Her parents, Paul and Kay, took her out to hit with them one day and she liked it from the start. “It was fun to hit with my parents,” Johnson said. “It was a family sport.”

BIGGEST INFLUENCES: Her parents and local pro Rick Bonner, who has worked with Johnson since she was eight years old. “They’ve all taught me how to get better, and they’re all fun to be around,” Johnson said. “They’re never too serious.”

STRENGTHS: Johnson likes to wear down her opponents by making them run all over the court. She also has good footwork.

SHE WANTS TO IMPROVE ... : her volleying, her ability to finish off points at the net, her serve and her consistency.

RACKET:A Wilson N-Code Surge. Wilson has discontinued that particular model, but “I’m going to stick with it,” Johnson said.

FAVORITE FOODS/DRINKS: Johnson always keeps a chocolate chip granola bar or two handy when she plays. Water is her drink of choice.

SUPERSTITIONS/RITUALS: None. “I just go out and play,” she said.

PROS SHE ADMIRES: For the men, it’s Roger Federer (“I like watching him because he’s really calm, and he can hit anything.”). For the women, it’s Maria Sharapova (“When she gets in a close match, she’s able to pull it out.”).

SEEING STARS: Johnson watched the likes of Federer, Rafael Nadal, Andy Roddick and Andre Agassi at the Pacific Life Open in Palm Springs, Calif., and she saw James Blake play at the RCA Dome in Indianapolis.

SECRET TALENT: Johnson likes to draw, particularly animals and flowers.

BEST PART OF BEING A HIGH SCHOOL TENNIS PLAYER: “I just have fun at every match and every practice. It’s fun playing a team sport. You’re representing yourself and your school, so you want to do well.”

Logan sophomore Kristy Kroker (12-2)



INTRODUCTION TO TENNIS: Kroker remembers first picking up a racket when she was about five years old thanks to her mother, Leslie. “Tennis is a family sport. We’ve all played a long time,” Kroker said.

BIGGEST INFLUENCES: Include her mother and her sister, Lizzy, a Logan junior who plays No. 1 doubles. “We bring out the best in each other,” Kristy said.

STRENGTHS: The ability to thrive in and learn from difficult matches. “The hard matches are the best ones,” Kroker said. “I like to be challenged a lot because that’s more fun. ... Some of the best games I’ve played are the ones I’ve lost.”

SHE WANTS TO IMPROVE ... : every aspect of her game. “One thing can be off one day, and another thing can be off another day,” Kroker said.

RACKET: A Head Extreme Pro.

FAVORITE FOODS/DRINKS: Kroker likes organic foods — no sugar allowed. Peanut butter and jelly sandwiches are a staple in her diet.

SUPERSTITIONS/RITUALS: Watch Kroker before she serves, and you’ll see her jump on the baseline nine times, then stretch her legs. (“Nine is my lucky number,” she said.).

PROS SHE ADMIRES: The late Arthur Ashe, who won three Grand Slam titles and also championed social causes before his death in 1993. When Kroker was in eighth grade, she produced a documentary on Ashe that earned her a trip to Washington, D.C., for National History Day. Needless to say, she got an A on the project.

SEEING STARS: Kroker saw Andy Roddick play in Minneapolis about five years ago.

SECRET TALENT: She likes to sing. You can hear her occasionally performing the National Anthem at Logan sporting events.

BEST PART OF BEING A HIGH SCHOOL TENNIS PLAYER: “There are so many different aspects about tennis, both mentally and physically, that challenge you in so many different ways. You can never get bored.”