STEVE REID & MEL RHINELANDER
news@lbknews.com
Club championships take many forms. Some players enter for a weekend of fun, while others chase
the ghosts of past glories. For most, the competition sits somewhere on the spectrum between lighthearted recreation and serious athleticism. Often, a year later, the only people who really remember who won are the victors themselves.
But occasionally, a story unfolds on the courts that transcends the scorecard—a story that crafts a lasting memory.
Last weekend, the Longboat Key tennis community was treated to exactly that kind of narrative. Defying the odds, the elements, and even the painful hurdle of a broken toe, a mother and son fought their way to victory, ultimately raising the 7.0 Mixed Doubles Championship trophy together.
A Clash of Styles and Tennis Idols
The decision for Carol Kalikow and her 31-year-old son, Max, to enter the Longboat Key Club tournament was a special one, though Max admits it wasn’t exactly his master plan.
“It was her idea,” said Max, who currently resides in Manhattan.
The pairing brought together a fascinating contrast in both experience and tennis philosophies. Carol, a former marketing director in the fashion industry for Oscar de la Renta, carries herself on the court with a sharp tactical mind and an appreciation for elegance. It’s no surprise that her tennis idol reflects that.
“Federer was always my favorite,” Carol noted. “He is the epitome of class.”
Max’s tennis journey, however, was born from a different kind of inspiration. He first picked up a racquet at age five, heavily influenced by the grueling, physical baseline play of Rafael Nadal. “I looked up to Nadal,” Max recalled. “I think part of the reason I started swinging with a big whip motion… I had his racquets and I had his shoes. When younger, Nadal was very fast. He was the most animated when playing. Such a physical player.”
Trying to match that physical intensity, unfortunately, took a toll. At 15, while attending a demanding Nike tennis camp that required eight hours of nonstop play a day, Max suffered a stress fracture in his wrist. The injury sidelined him and derailed his confidence for nearly 15 years. “Even when it felt better, any swing makes you nervous,” he admitted.
It wasn’t until recently back in Manhattan, when a friend convinced him to hit around, that Max realized his wrist no longer hurt. The mental blocks faded, paving the way for his return to the court alongside his mother. “I felt good at the Key Club playing,” he said.
Strategizing Their Strengths
Entering a 16-team tournament packed with past champions and seasoned veterans, the duo knew they had a tough road ahead—especially since Max is not traditionally a doubles player. But what they lacked in established doubles rhythm, they made up for in raw talent and synergy.
A fixture in the local tennis scene, Carol brought the veteran know-how. “I’m on three teams here,” she explained. “I’m pretty good, but Max is fast as lightning.”
To counter their highly experienced opponents, the Kalikows had to be smart. “We strategized each strength,” Carol said.
Max, armed with plenty of speed and power, quickly realized the key to success was to neutralize their opponents’ net game. Battling intense, swirling winds, the younger Kalikow executed a relentless series of high, looping lobs deep to the baseline. It was a masterstroke that used the wind to their advantage, forcing one opponent into an exhausting sprint while effectively stranding the other at the net.
Meanwhile, Carol anchored the team with the poise of a grandmaster playing a high-stakes game of chess. Patient and calculating, she kept her groundstrokes remarkably consistent, waiting for her opponents to leave a sliver of an opening before striking with brilliant, wide-angled shots.
The Final Showdown
The championship match proved to be an uphill battle. While they had cruised through the semi-finals against opponents who gave away free points, the finals were a different story.
“The match before, they made a lot of unforced errors,” Carol observed. “I think in the final match, they were not making as many.”
After a strong start, the Kalikows found themselves on the back foot as their opponents rallied to take the second set. “They won the second set and we let it go,” Carol admitted.
With the championship hinging on a high-pressure tiebreak, it was the 31-year-old who delivered the crucial tactical adjustment. Max recognized that his baseline lobs needed the perfect complement at the net.
“Max was 100 percent right,” Carol recalled. “After the second set, he said, ‘Mom, stay up to the front of the court.’”
The adjustment worked flawlessly. With Carol commanding the net and Max utilizing his lightning speed to cover the backcourt, the mother-son duo dominated the final stretch, storming away to win the tiebreak 10-3.
As the final ball was struck, the tactical brilliance took a backseat to the heart of the moment. Considering Max’s 15-year journey to trust his swing again, and the beautiful partnership they displayed, it was a wonderful match to watch.
“I’m so proud,” Carol said, aglow after the victory. “I am very happy.”
It was a hard-fought title, but more importantly, it was a shared family triumph—a lasting memory that will undoubtedly outshine the engraving on their trophy.
