January 30, 2013 at 5:54 p.m.
Evert Tennis Academy awaits budding tennis prodigy
Evert Tennis Academy awaits budding tennis prodigy
The hard-hitting 15-year-old was invited to attend the Evert Tennis Academy on a full-time basis after impressing coaches at a summer camp last year.
The youngster - currently competing in the Island Construction Open at Pomander Gate - hopes his two year stint at the academy - a partnership between the Evert family and sports media giant IMG - will be the springboard to bigger things.
"The main goal is to go pro but if not then I would like to play Division One college tennis."
Though Chris Evert, who won 18 Grand Slam titles and dominated women's tennis for almost a decade, lends her name and expertise to the academy, it is her brother John who is in charge of the day-to-day running of the centre.
Based in Boca Raton, Florida, the school attracts top young players from around the world.
The youngsters train daily from 7am until 10am, attend classes from 10:30am until 2pm and are back on the court from 2pm until 4pm.
"It's going to be a different experience," says Towlson, who currently attends Warwick Academy.
"The people that I have spoke to say the tennis training is really good. There is a lot of court time and a lot of match practice.
"It's exciting to get a chance to play against a lot of different players. Bermuda only has a certain amount of high quality players and there is obviously more variety out there."
Most judges believe Towlson, who describes himself as an aggressive baseliner, has all the tools to reach the top.
Bermuda number one Andy Bray dispatched him 6-0, 6-0 in the semi-finals of the Bermuda Open last month. But after the match he spoke admiringly of Towlson's power - a crucial tool in the armoury of any would-be professional.
"He's always very encouraging," says Towlson, who admits he needs to add a bit more control to his power game.
"People have said that about me since I was 12 but power without control and consistency is nothing. That's something I have to work on."
Still a ways to go
Towlson admits it may be some time before he is beating the likes of Bray, Gavin Manders and Jenson Bascome - his doubles partner and someone who he cites as a big influence in his career.
"I think I'm improving against them. It depends how I play on the day. I always go in there with the best intentions not always thinking about winning but in terms of how I play."
It's a strategy that has worked well for Towlson so far in the Island Construction Open where he beat Davis Cup player Jacob Trott in straight sets earlier this week.
But the youngster, whose dad Paul Towlson played football for Vasco during their heyday and Robin Hood and whose mom Allison represented Bermuda in the Fed Cup, has bigger ambitions as he heads to Florida.
"It's a big opportunity and I'm just hoping to make the most of it."
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