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The "I Love Brian Vahaly" Thread

11K views 68 replies 21 participants last post by  Fee 
#1 ·
:See Title:

Yes it's true, I love Brian Vahaly. He is so sweet and nice, we sat and talked to him for a while yesterday, and then he found out we didn't get A-Rod's autographs, so he took our draws down into the players room and got him to sign then brought them back up to us. How many people would do that?? We also watched him hitting with Brad Gilbert's son yesterday. He has taken over the ranks as one of my favorite tennis players. And we told him if he came back to our challenger, we're personally be his ballgirls, lol. Though, he did say "See you in Champaign!" when we had to leave. :) Brian Vahaly rocks.
 
#3 · (Edited)
Learned some things about Brian today. First of all, he was named one of the "Most Eligible Bachelors" by People. And second of all, he once dated Alicia from "Step by Step" (love that show, was just watching a rerun today)! Anyway, she is gorgeous, but they split.
 
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#5 ·
guys... i joined a yahoo group, and i want to help revive it. Brian has a hell of a lot of fans, and i think it'd be ggood if we could regularly keep in touch with each other...what do you think?

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/brianvahaly/
 
#7 ·
I really like Brian because he is a really nice person. Even though he has struggled this year, he still continues on believing that he will be able to win matches. He, by the way is a strong devoted Christian, something that I would love to see more of in tennis.
 
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#8 ·
Brians first round match in Indianapolis 2004. :wavey:
 

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#9 ·
Brian Vahaly

Very happy to see him in the singles and doubles finals at College Station :yeah: even if he could only manage the doubles title :p

Go Brian! :woohoo:
 
#10 ·
Good, I'm glad that he finally won something, anything. Perhaps I will see him next week at the Tiburon Challenger.
 
#13 ·
Well Brian won his first ATP main draw match today in a long time! Too bad he had to beat Kendrick, but this was a long time coming. I hope Brian can stay healthy!
 
#14 ·
About time Brian! :yeah:
Hopefully his ankle (was it?) won't give him any more issues. I'm crossing fingers he'll be able to get to the Aus Open next year! LOL... so here's to an injury free, and higher-ranked 2005 :D
 
#15 ·
Rock and Roll Brian!!!!!!!!!!!!
 
#16 ·
Björkman_Girl said:
About time Brian! :yeah:
Hopefully his ankle (was it?) won't give him any more issues. I'm crossing fingers he'll be able to get to the Aus Open next year! LOL... so here's to an injury free, and higher-ranked 2005 :D
According to the updates that were posted on his website, it was a couple of different injuries in his right arm, but one of his more recent updates said he's feeling better every day. So hopefully things are going in the right direction for him :)
 
#17 ·
he said he broke his middle finger also.
 
#18 ·
Indian Wells Qualifying:
B Vahaly (USA) d (4)L Burgsmuller (GER) 64 76(6)
:woohoo: But... I feel bad for Lars :awww:
 
#20 ·
Brian made it into the main draw with an incredible 6-2 6-0 win over Noam Okun, including an ace on match point!

:bounce: now win your first round main draw match, Brian!
 
#22 ·
Fee Fee Dobson?

Anyway, here you go Fumus, just for you :D. Yes, I am aware that I look like a complete goober in this pic.
 

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#24 ·
http://www.cavalierdaily.com/CVArticle.asp?ID=23651&pid=1307
Former college star shines on ATP tour
Pro tennis player gives back to local community; looks to make his way back into top 75, qualify for this year's U.S. Open
Warren Waterman
Cavalier Daily Staff Writer

The Virginia men's tennis team has made gigantic strides in recent years from an average program to a national powerhouse. This year the men's team finished fifth in the nation -- its highest ranking ever. One of the people responsible for this meteoric rise is Brian Vahaly, arguably one of the greatest players to ever swing a racquet at U.Va.

Vahaly and close friend and teammate Huntley Montgomery put U.Va. tennis on the map by achieving amazing results for the Cavaliers. In 2001, his final year at Virginia, Vahaly reached the finals of the NCAA singles championships and he and Montgomery ended that year ranked No. 1 in the nation in doubles. Currently ranked 176 in the world on the ATP tour, Vahaly has been ranked as high as 64 and believes he can be there again.

"I still feel I have some great tennis left and feel as though I have room to improve," he said.

Great tennis is something with which the Virginia alumnus is familiar. Vahaly beat Juan Carlos Ferrero when he was ranked No. 1 in the world just before Ferrero won the 2003 French Open. Additionally, he has had good results at several ATP tournaments that year, reaching the quarterfinals at Indian Wells and the semifinals of Memphis before losing to Andy Roddick. Roddick, a close friend, and Vahaly teamed up to beat the top ranked doubles team of Mike and Bob Bryan in Washington D.C. that same year.

Being part of the ATP tour has allowed Vahaly to travel the world, but Vahaly says it's not as glamorous as people think.

"I'm on the road every week and rarely get to spend anytime at home with friends and family," Vahaly said. "I can't remember the last time I was in the same city for over two weeks."

With all of his energy devoted to tennis and travel, it's hard to imagine that Vahaly has time for anything else. Yet with the help of some of his friends in the sports community including Roddick, Atlanta Braves infielder Keith Lockhart and fellow Wahoo Patrick Kerney of the Atlanta Falcons (CLAS, '99), Vahaly has established a charitable foundation for after school programs for underprivileged kids in Atlanta that provides computers, tutors, and free tennis lessons to keep them off the streets.

"I always felt it was important to give back to the community, especially when so many people took part in the success of my career," Vahaly said. "It's really an awesome thing and something I'm very very proud of."

Of course, he stills follows the Cavaliers and the great tennis program he helped build.

"They've had an amazing run," Vahaly said. "I honestly feel as though they can win the national championship next year. I continually speak with [Virginia men's tennis coach] Brian Boland and know he has what it takes to take this program to the top."

He regularly keeps tabs with Montgomery and other former teammates as well.Montgomery has fond memories of the glory years with Vahaly.

"We've had some great times together," Montgomery said. "I think some of the best times were just coming up with big wins to help the 'Hoos take down tough teams. We are good friends and I'm sure it will remain that way."

Vahaly is currently playing World Team Tennis for the New York Buzz in Albany, NY. At the end of July it is back on the tour which he hopes will culminate in a berth at the U.S. Open in New York at the end of August. But what about life after the tour?

"I graduated from the Comm. School so I've always had life after tennis on my mind," Vahaly said. "I never saw my self completely as a one dimensional tennis player, but right now my focus remains on tennis...as long as I'm still enjoying myself."

Whatever he does in the future however, Virginia will almost certainly always remain in Vahaly's blood.

"I continue to wear my U.Va. clothes wherever I go," he said.

Once a Cavalier, always a Cavalier.
 
#25 ·
Fee! Your hair looks quite small in the pic with Brian. (I am having great difficulty in trying to make that sound...normal. LOL!)

Thanks for the article smucav. Hope to see him in Australia next year :)
 
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#26 ·
Kristen :lol:
Yes, it was having a 'small' day. That happens more often in warmer weather, if I get a little sweaty from sitting in the sun and such.

Where have all of Brian's fans been? I know you're here. This week, he's playing in the Bronx Challenger (Sasa Tuksar of Croatia is his first opponent)
and it looks like next week he'll be in the USO qualifying. I don't think he's going to get a WC this year, he's kind of off the radar these days.
 
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