...the US teen tennis champ

'Shy' Pinay teen rises to become champion tennis player in US

ANDREI MEDINA,

GMA News

July 25, 2012

Her mom describes her as a shy person, who loves to sit in a quiet corner, listening to music. Now, sixteen-year-old Marian Jade Capadocia has become a celebrity of sorts after becoming the single and doubles tennis champion for the 18 and under categories of the United States Tennis Association (USTA).

In an interview with GMA News Online on Wednesday, Charito Capadocia, Marian Jade’s mom, said, “Tahimik lang siya lagi, hindi mo aakalaing tennis player kasi lagi lang siya nasa gilid at nakikinig sa music.”

“Mabait din siya, disiplinado, masipag at ayaw niya mag-home study,” Charito added.

Charito said Marian Jade, who recently graduated from high school at the Arellano University Mabini Campus, has been playing tennis since age eight.

Charito and her husband Joenito were the ones who encouraged Marian Jade to play tennis, being former tennis players themselves.

Charito said they are weighing their options on whether to let Marian study abroad or in the Philippines.

“Maraming offers and invitations kahit sa America pero focus muna kami sa tennis for now kasi nasa peak pa siya. Yung schooling nandiyan lang naman yan,” Charito said.

US champion

Marian Jade  became the 18 and under single and doubles tennis champion for the United States Tennis Association (USTA) Canyon Crest Summer Junior Open Tournament held from July 14 to 15 and July 21 to 22 in Riverside, California.

Marian Jade is currently #1 in the 18 and under and women singles category in the Philippines.

She partnered with Marian Ante for the doubles match, eventually winning the championship.

According to Charito, Marian Jade's achievements include:

• winning gold in the “Palarong Pambansa” thrice, with the most recent being last year

• 2011 South East Asia tournament bronze medalist, one of youngest at 16

• 2011 Champion of Women’s Udon Dhani Open in Thailand, March 12 to 15

• 2012 Cainta Open Champion, April 9 to 15

One of the highlights of her career was when she won the Philippine Columbian Association (PCA) Open last December 5, 2011 when she defeated Clarice Patrimonio during the finals becoming the youngest winner in PCA history.

Patrimonio is the daughter of Philippine basketball legend, Alvin ‘The Captain’ Patrimonio and is currently the # 2 of the women’s single category in the Philippines. - VVP, GMA News