Youngsters prevail in 64th ÂÒÂ×ÄÚÉä Public Courts tennis tournament

Stacy, a 2025 graduate of Fairmont State University, and Prince, 27, were each making their first appearances in the men’s open singles championship, won by Stacy on the Public Courts tournament’s final day.

For Stacy and Prince, they both supplanted the 2024 winner Patrick Walker and runner-up James Kent.

Prince defeated Kent head-to-head, and while Stacy said he was anticipating facing Walker, the defending champion was defeated in the quarterfinals by Rico Williams. Stacy then defeated Williams to earn a spot in the championship.

Neither said, though, that they think Walker or Kent are done.

“That’s tough to say,� Stacy said. “They’re going to be coming with a vengeance next year.�

Walker and Kent have each won 11 men’s open singles titles and faced each other in the final at the 63rd ÂÒÂ×ÄÚÉä Public Courts. Walker won in three sets.

“I think those guys are always a threat,� said Prince. “Anytime you see Pat, James or any of those names in the tournament you’ve got to give them the respect and go out there and win the tournament for sure.�

Walker also competed in open mixed doubles and with partner Emily Thayer, made it to the final where they were defeated by Orcutt and Mullins.

Kent and Walker also competed in the men’s open doubles, facing each other and their partners in the semifinals. Walker and his partner, William Sinclair, defeated Kent and Scott Zent.

Kent reflected on the youth movement after his loss to Prince in the men’s open singles semifinals.

“Youth prevailed,� Kent said. “He was the better player.�

Kent left some doubt about whether he would return for the men’s open singles tournament next year. At 47, the Huntington native said his recovery time is longer now than in years past.

A tennis pro in Hilton Head, South Carolina, Walker said he plans to return to the tournament in 2026, though the tourist season at the club where he and his wife work dictates each year whether he can make the trip to ÂÒÂ×ÄÚÉä to compete.

“Totally,� said Orcutt, when asked if she thought there was a youth movement. “In the women’s open draw, I was surprised to see the number of juniors who played in it. Last year I was the only player under 18.

Orcutt said she plans to play in the ÂÒÂ×ÄÚÉä Public Courts again next year and could team up with older sister Nadia, a recent George Washington High School graduate, to enter the women’s open doubles tournament.