By HARRIET PROTHRO PENROD, Journal Sports
It was good news for local junior tennis when Anthony McMaster decided to get back in the game.
Burned out on tennis and deciding to concentrate on football, McMaster went out to California to play quarterback at Fullerton College. His college football days were short, however, when he broke his hand in the spring of 2011 (his first year on the team) and decided to move back to Shreveport that summer.
That is when McMaster got back into tennis – both playing and coaching junior players. Then when Centenary coach Todd Killen suggested McMaster join the Gents’ tennis team, he transferred from LSUS and was officially back in love with the game.
Since then, McMaster has thrived as both a player and coach.
On Sunday, McMaster won his second consecutive (and third overall) City Championship men’s open singles title at The Bossier Tennis Center with a 6-2, 6-3 victory over Jackson Hinderberger.
“When I think about all the past winners of the city tournament, I am humbled and honored to be on that list,” McMaster, 30, said after Sunday’s championship match. “It’s super rewarding. But the best part is that every time I’ve beaten someone or been beaten by someone for the title, it’s been by someone who I have coached.”
McMaster’s latest victory was no different.
Eight years ago, local pro Grady Wilson and legendary coach Lee Hedges told McMaster about Hinderberger. “They said, ‘Look at this kid. He’s something special,’” recalls McMaster.
Even though Hinderberger was just six years old, it was apparent that he had something special.
Ever since then, McMaster has been coaching Hinderberger, who now lives and trains in Florida.
Traveling back to Shreveport for The City Championship gave the now 14-year-old the chance to see – and play against – his longtime coach.
“Even though I work full-time (as a financial advisor for Edward Jones), I still fly down to Florida to work with Jackson,” said McMaster.
McMaster’s first city title came in 2018 with a victory over Killen (his past coach). Last year’s championship came against Stafford Yerger, who he has been coaching since the junior phenom was 8.
Coaching junior tennis players comes naturally to McMaster, who helped Killen build a strong junior program at Pierremont Oaks Tennis Club about 10 years ago. And with his oldest son Francis (6) starting to play the game, McMaster will be busy coaching for years to come. At age 3, son Thomas will probably be picking up a racket soon and, chances are, daughter Emma (18 months) will follow in her father’s footsteps.
Who knows – McMaster may find himself in the future across the court from one of his sons competing for the city men’s open singles title.
“If it wasn’t for that broken hand, he would still be in California and would have never met me,” McMaster’s wife Emily says with a laugh. “Funny how things work out.”
And lucky – for local junior tennis players.
Photo by JOHN PENROD