by Randy Walker
@TennisPublisher
Playing 12 matches on 12 straight days as an American in Tehran, Iran – advancing from the pre-qualifying tournament to the final of the main draw – is the incredible story of Alexander Stater of Bethesda, Maryland at the recent ITF World Tennis Tour event staged in the capital of Iran. The effort earned Stater his first ever ATP ranking points in his first ever main draw appearance on the ITF World Tennis Tour.
It just might be one of the biggest sporting accomplishments by an American in Iran since the U.S. Davis Cup team beat Iran in Tehran in 1963.
Stater talked about his inspiring tale in this interview with me here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vLR4GHMyRBg&t=98s about the risk he took traveling to Iran, one of the most politically uncomfortable countries in the world for an American, and how he was welcomed with open arms by the Iranian people, who vociferously cheered for him in the singles final against his Italian opponent.
Stater, a former college player at Cal-Poly and the University of San Diego, also provides tips and inspiration for competitive players at his level who are searching for opportunities to get into ITF World Tennis Tour events in search of their first ATP ranking point.
