Vero Beach, FL (February 28, 2025) … On Thursday, February 27th, more than 300 spectators gathered at The Boulevard Tennis & Padel Club for the 30th Annual King of the Hill Tennis Tournament Open Division Finals.
In one of the longest and most exciting finals in King of the Hill history, Samuel Sippel, lead tennis professional at Orchid Island Golf and Beach Club, won the match and Chase Perez Blanco was the runner-up. Both Sippel and Perez Blanco received a wild card in the doubles draw of the Mardy Fish Children’s Foundation Tournament, a Professional USTA $15,000 event scheduled on April 21st to 27th at Vero Beach Tennis Club.
The full list of players who competed in the Open Division Finals is as follows:
– Chase Perez Blanco – Vero Beach, winner of the open division in 2019, 2020 and 2022
– Andrew Butz – Vero Beach, winner of the open division in 2010
– Yohann Prinsen – Vero Club Tennis, top junior in Belgium, played division I for Idaho State University
– Samuel Sippel – Orchid Island, played Division I for Boise State University
To kick off the Open Division Finals, Youth Guidance student Nina P. performed a beautiful rendition of the Star-Spangled Banner. Next, Youth Guidance Executive Director Phil Barnes announced the recipient of the 2025 Gigi Casapu Scholarship. This $1,000 scholarship is made annually in honor of Casapu, who started King of the Hill in 1996 and is the event organizer and tournament director. To qualify for the scholarship, candidates completed an extensive application packet and interviewed in front of a panel of judges from the community.
Dominic S. was selected as the 2025 scholarship winner. Currently a sophomore at Indian River Charter High School, Dominic is an A/B Honor-roll student. At Youth Guidance he is a member of the Pathfinder’s Excel Club, a student leadership group, and he actively participates in community service projects, including United Way’s Day of Caring and beach clean-ups. Dominic plans to use the scholarship to advance his knowledge of computers and pursue a career in the information technology field.
The Open Division Finals was a thrilling conclusion to a successful King of the Hill season, which spanned six weeks in total.
On February 20th, Mikael Pernfors with The Boulevard Tennis & Padel Club was crowned “King” of the 50s division. Prior to the start of the 50s division finals, Casapu honored players who competed in King of the Hill in the early years to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the event. On February 13th, Lennart Jonason with John’s Island won the 40s Division.
The 2025 King of the Hill Tennis Tournament was made possible by the following sponsors:
– King of the Hill Sponsor: Simsovic Chiropractic & Wellness
– Championship Point Sponsor: Exchange Club of Sebastian
– Match Point Sponsors: Ameriprise Financial Services, John & Charlotte Klein, Peter & Maureen Lee, Publix Super Markets Charities, Roberts Family Foundation, Allen & Judy Zern
– Set Point Sponsors: Ahrnsbrak Nocar Families, Bill Antle, Cravings, Exchange Club of Vero Beach, Trudie Rainone
– Name Your Game Sponsors: Allstate – Allstate – Mary Payne, Archie S. Wingfield Jr. Charitable Trust, Carolyn Butler Norton, Esq. LLC, David & Karen Katen, Chris & Jim Lenehan, Mike & Janice McKenna, Natalie’s Orchid Island Juice Co.
– Real Love Sponsors: Fredi Ash, Dede Ashby, Joseph Carter, Bill & Kate Chambers, Rich & Laura Colton, Brian & Laurie Connelly, Edward & Sherry Ann Dayton, George E. Warren LLC, Gillis & Lynn Green, Joseph & Louise Huber, In Loving Memory of Jack Mello, Joan R. Vinas Associates LLC, Law Offices of Jennifer D. Peshke, Linus Cadillac Buick GMC, Perry R. Lloyd III MD, FCCP, Jacqueline Muller, Offut Barton Schlitt, Smith Services, Susan & Leander Jennings Foundation, Vero Fitness
Gigi Casapu is the founder, organizer, and director of the King of the Hill. He started the event in memory of his brother, Johnny Casapu, who tragically passed away in a car accident in 1994 while visiting his native country, Romania. Johnny was a world-class tennis professional, a teaching pro in Hawaii and Palm Springs, and a close friend and teammate of the legendary Ilie Nastase. Since 1996, Gigi has been a dedicated supporter of Youth Guidance, organizing the King of the Hill Fundraising Tournament to help support the organization’s mission.
Since its inception, the King of the Hill has not only showcased local talent but has also raised an impressive $735,000 to support Youth Guidance programs, making a lasting impact on the community and helping empower the future generation. Proceeds from the tournament will fund life skills and vocational training programs for local children and young adults, including cooking, sewing, money management, bicycle repair, HVAC, plumbing, welding, carpentry, electrical work, and more.
Youth Guidance is committed to enriching the lives of youth in Indian River County by fostering mentoring relationships that build trust, self-esteem, and positive futures. To learn more about Youth Guidance, please call 772-492-3933 or visit our website at www.youthguidanceprogram.org.
