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Wednesday, Oct. 28, 2009
Heart of a tennis champion: The resilient Robert Quall
If Robert Quall's proven anything in his 70 years of life, it's that he's resilient.
The last few weeks have only reiterated that fact.
Less than a month after a heart condition caused him to faint on the court during a tennis tournament, the former Merced County judge will board a plane to Australia today.
Merced Sun-Star - PHOTO BY LISA JAMES
A couple weeks after having a stent inserted into his heart, Robert Quall is off to Australia to represent the U.S. in the Crawford Cup.
Merced Sun-Star - PHOTO BY LISA JAMES
Former Merced County judge Robert Quall will finish 2009 ranked as the No. 2 tennis player in the nation for his age group. Quall will participate in the Crawford Cup down in Australia.
Quall is one of four members representing the United States in the 70-75 division at the Crawford Cup.
He earned his place on the team by finishing ranked No. 2 in the nation for his age bracket this year.
"It's essentially the Davis Cup for seniors," Quall said. "Only four guys get invitations for the team, so it's a really big honor.
"We're a very strong group and should be ranked No. 1 heading into the tournament."
The two-week tournament held in Perth, Australia, begins with the team competition and then concludes with an individual tournament.
Quall spent the last few days down in Palm Springs training on a grass court in preparation for the tournament.
"Grass isn't my best surface, but I don't do badly on it," Quall said. "I feel really good and am looking forward to the experience."
It wasn't too long ago that Quall was feeling anything but good.
While playing in the semifinals of the National Clay Court Tennis Championships, Quall charged in after a drop shot and collapsed unconscious onto the court.
Quall learned he had 75 percent blockage in one of the arteries in his heart. He had a stent put into his heart two weeks ago and has since been cleared to resume playing.
"I think I was going to the tournament no matter what, but at least I have some peace of mind now," Quall said.
Quall said the USTA arranged a couple extra days for the U.S. team to explore Australia, but despite the trip and his recent scare, his main focus will be the tennis.
"You're waiting for the other shoe to fall with something like this," Quall said. "Nobody wants to drop dead while lunging for a lob, but in the heat of competition, you're not going to let a shot go by.
"I didn't feel bad before this happened, but in my mind I actually feel a little bit better now."
Sean Lynch is a Sun-Star sports writer. He can be reached at 385-2476 or via e-mail at slynch@mercedsun-star.com.
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