Florida ‘Bobby Curtis’ Tennis Profile: Miami’s Former Champ Yubel Ubri, 11, Goes for Boys’ 12s Title

[dropcap]Y[/dropcap]ubel Ubri is one tough customer.

Playing multiple matches in one day? No problem. He won the Florida state tennis title in the 10-and-under division at the USTA Florida “Bobby Curtis” Junior State Championships in 2016.

Staring down his favorite food, a pizza, after a big tournament win? He won’t even blink.

Not even a bee sting can stop the 5th grader from Biscayne Elementary School in Miami.

“I was stung by a bee on my right hand,” said the right-hander of his strangest tournament experience, “and I continued to play and I won.”

Yubel will play in the boys’ 12s division beginning next weekend when the 2018 USTA Florida “Bobby Curtis” Junior State Championships are contested on June 9-13 at the USTA National Campus in Orlando.

Here’s a look at Yubel heading into the 2018 Florida state championships:

Full Name: Yubel Federico Ubri
Age: 11
Height: 4-foot-8
School Grade: 5th
Home Town: Miami Beach
Family Background: Dominican Republic
School: Biscayne Elementary School
Age Started Tennis: 3-1/2
Training Base: North Shore Tennis Center
Coach: Yubel Ubri (father)
Racquet: Wilson Burn
String: Cyclone
Favorite Surface: clay
Favorite Player: Rafael Nadal
Other Sports or Hobbies: soccer

Serena or Venus? Serena
Ice Cream or Chocolate? ice cream
Novak, Rafa or Roger? Rafa
Gatorade or Powerade? Powerade
Favorite App? Fortnite

Do you have a pre-match routine?
Stretch, run around the court four times and warm-up with other kids.

What is the best thing about traveling around playing tennis?
I get to enjoy fun times with my family and I meet new friends.

What do you consider your best-ever tournament result?
I played the best 32 in a Florida Level 4 and won the tournament in 12s when I was 10.

What kind of events do you have planned for the rest of the year?
Visiting Key West and Tennessee to enjoy time with family and of course tennis tournaments.

What are your major goals in the near future?
Win the Junior Orange Bowl and the Eddie Herr.
  
What is your favorite tournament?
The Bobby Curtis tournaments.

The 2018 USTA Florida “Bobby Curtis” Junior State Singles Championships will be held on June 9-13 at the USTA National Campus in Orlando. Florida’s top junior tournament will be contested in girls’ and boys’ age 18-12 divisions. For a tournament preview and more click here.