By Tom LaDue

Neil and Dale Radermacher (Eagan, MN) have been playing tennis since they were kids. Being eight years apart, the two always wanted to play doubles together in school, whether at high school or in college, but never got the chance until they found the USTA League program.

“The best thing about the USTA League program is that it allowed Neil and me to finally accomplish what we wanted to do as kids – play on the same court as a team,” Dale said.

Once the two got into the program, they set the goal of making it to the National Championships together, and last year they reached their goal.

“The best thing about being at the tournament was that we got to share the whole experience, not only with each other but with our team from the Northern Section,” said Neil.

“It just fits,” Dale added. “If one of us plays bad, the other always picks it up. It’s like we know what the other is thinking.”

With Neil having a son and Dale with three boys of his own in the past few years, tennis has taken a back seat for the duo, but even with limited time to hit the court, they always find a way.

“We have a school between our houses,” laughed Neil. “When we have the chance, we call each other up and say, ‘Hey, I’ll meet you at the courts.’”

What made the tournament even more special for the two Radermachers was that their mother, who had not seen them play as a doubles team in years, got to make the short drive down from Phoenix to watch.

“She surprised us after our match when she told us she was moving back to Minnesota to be closer to the both of us,” replied the guys.

It came down to the last match of the day to make it to the semifinals for the team from Minnesota. After the last ball had been played, they came up just a bit short.

It may have also been the last time that Neil and Dale would play at the National Championships together, as Dale is moving up to the 4.5 level.

“This was an experience of a lifetime – something that we will never forget,” replied Dale.

Neil then summed it all up by saying, “The fact that Dale and I left it all out there on the court just like we had dreamed of as kids says it all.”