eday, but its not likely to be any time soon. Still, the repor

Back in the early 1980s, Ernesto Escobedo Jr. dreamed of becoming a professional tennis player.But I did not have any talent, he explained last week from Las Vegas. No, no, no. I wasnt really a tennis player.As a teenager, he played events in Mexico and found his way to small-money tournaments in Holland, France, Italy and Spain. But after a few years of scuffling -- his career-high doubles ranking was No. 727 -- he returned to Mexico.I loved everything about tennis, he said, laughing. But when I hit 20, I started to realize it wasnt my future. I always had the feeling that I was going against the water, the ocean.In Mexico, where most of his family was, he met his future wife, Cristina. In 1986, they moved to Los Angeles, Ernesto Jr.s birthplace.A decade later, Ernesto III appeared, and although his father tried to steer him into team sports like soccer and basketball, he was happiest with a tennis racket in his hand. This made Ernesto Jr. very unhappy.He didnt want to me to go through what he did, Ernesto III said.The son hit against the wall at school, sometimes joined by his mother. Initially, Ernesto Jr., who drove a truck for UPS, stayed out of it. But when he saw those unnaturally fluid strokes, Ernesto IIIs precocious court sense, he eventually relented.The first tournament, at the age of 8, came at Pacific Palms in Industry Hills, California.I lost first round, Ernesto III said. But it was so much fun. I liked being out there and competing.Gradually, the fathers deferred dream came true -- for the son. And today, the son is succeeding primarily because of his father.On Oct. 15, when Ernesto III won the ATP World Tour Challenger event in Monterrey, Mexico, the first call was to his father.He cried, Ernesto III said. He said he was proud of me.That meant a lot.Escobedo, at 20, is one of the most dynamic young players in this country. Brad Gilbert, former coach of Andre Agassi and Andy Roddick (one of Escobedos idols growing up) sees him as a future top-50 player and maybe better.The title at Monterrey completed a spectacular 53-week cycle that saw his ATP ranking rise from No. 541 to a career-high No. 129. After reaching the semifinals a year ago in Monterrey, Escobedo ripped through the Challenger circuit, reaching the finals in Sao Paulo, Brazil, and Cary, North Carolina, and winning in Lexington, Kentucky, beating highly regarded American teenager Francis Tiafoe in the final.At 6-foot-1, 180 pounds, Escobedo hits the ball big off both wings and, according to Gilbert, has a better serve than his modest body would suggest. Gilbert, however, describes his movement as average.When this was relayed to him, Escobedo started laughing.Im not the quickest guy on the court, he said. Its something for me to improve on. Ive been working hard for the past two months on the track with explosive weights, and thats been helping me a lot.Working hard is something he picked up from his father, who like Richard and Oracene Williams started his child on the public courts of southern California.Same thing, Ernesto Jr. explained. I didnt want to get into tennis because I knew how hard it was. I had no resources, no money. So it was the parks, not the clubs. I started hitting with him and, little by little, we got hooked again.I told him then, If youre going to be good one day, its not going to because of the money.Ernesto Jr. cut his job back to part time so he could spend more time on court with his son. Like the Williams parents, he also avoided the conventional junior system, saying he wanted to keep the family together.He started playing Futures tournaments when he was 16, Ernesto Jr. said. When he reached a semifinal, we started practicing harder. My plan was for him to go to college, but he said he wanted to see if he could make it in the pros.He told me, A lot of players dont have this opportunity. I dont want to be regretting this for the rest of my life.I wasnt convinced.But his sons persistence -- and evident happiness -- changed his mind. Ernesto Jr. still wishes he was pursuing a college degree that he said was offered by USC, but hes seeing progress.A year ago when Ernesto III reached the semifinal in Monterrey, he wasnt ready.I couldnt focus at all, Escobedo said. It was too big of a stage for me, and my emotions got in the way.I learned a lot from that match. Ive matured a lot. Im much more comfortable in that situation.His goal is to be in the top 100 pretty soon, which would qualify him automatically into the main draws of Grand Slams. He said he is trying to be a more aggressive player, coming to net more often and serving and volleying. This isnt the conventional baseline style, but Escobedo isnt as big as some of the ATPs other #NextGen players, such fellow American?Taylor Fritz, with whom he shares coach Peter Lucassen, or Alexander Zverev of Germany.This weeks Las Vegas Challenger, where he won his first-round match, was his 28th event in a jammed calendar that included a good mix of Futures, Challengers and ATP tournaments. He won his first ATP-level match after qualifying in Nottingham back in June, beating Diego Schwartzman. Escobedo, a wild card at the US Open, split four sets with Lukas Lacko before winning by retirement. Escobedo will finish up with Challengers in Ecuador and Colombia.With the help of the USTA, Escobedo is getting coaching and support as he travels the world and learns the nuances of the game. His father still insists he play hard and exhibit good body language.Understandably, because of his personal experience, he is cautious.You cant get ahead of yourself, Escobedo Jr. said, speaking more of his son than himself. Im trying not to get too excited. We dont know what lies ahead, two, three years.But, Ive already done my part.What was it like to hear that his son had won an important tournament?Doing what I dreamed of, he said, voice trailing off. Its a beautiful feeling. Beautiful. I cant ask anything for more. Air Max 270 Moins Cher . Note: The Calgary Flames announced Tuesday that Sean Monahan would not be made available to Canadas World Junior team. Air Max 97 Pas Cher Chine . The Clippers were angry about blowing a big lead; the Kings didnt like being in that kind of hole and nearly digging themselves out only to lose. http://www.airmaxpaschersite.fr/basket-air-max-200-outlet.html .com) - The Chicago Blackhawks aim for their third three-game winning streak of the season when they host the struggling Edmonton Oilers in Sundays battle at the United Center. Air Max Plus Noir Pas Cher . The FA rejected Wilsheres appeal that the length of his punishment was "clearly excessive" and said Thursday his suspension begins with immediate effect. He will miss league matches against Chelsea on Monday and West Ham on Dec. Air Max Pas Cher En Ligne . -- Former San Diego Chargers safety Paul Oliver was found dead at his Atlanta-area home Tuesday night, and a medical examiner said Wednesday that the ex-player committed suicide. Though the winter meetings began in the aftermath of the newly minted collective bargaining agreement, the events in Maryland last week played out more or less as usual. There were a few trades. Some headline-making free-agent signings. A Rule V draft that has most of us reaching for the nearest prospect guide. Still, even though the new CBA doesnt take effect until next year -- and thus had no direct effect on the meetings -- its presence was felt in discussions of something that didnt happen.That thing -- a potential trade of Bryce Harper away from the Washington Nationals?-- could certainly happen someday, but its not likely to be any time soon. Still, the reports that emerged during the meetings about Harpers reported desire for a $400 million contract and Washingtons reported desire to not dole out said contract set the stage for what promises to be a multiyear drama. And how that drama is resolved, eventually, may be the first real evidence wee get about whether the new CBA will have a significant effect on how much teams are willing to commit to any one player -- even a generational talent in his prime like Harper.ddddddddddddSince the labor calamities of 1994, the owners have shifted their negotiating strategy away from an overt push for a salary cap to a more incremental approach. By implementing and gradually expanding the reach of the luxury tax, theyve made the punitive costs of excess spending increasingly severe and more likely to apply to even those teams that dont play at Yankee Stadium. Those costs have moved beyond financial and into the realm of amateur player acquisition in the form of draft position and limits on international spending. As a result, while there still is no salary cap in baseball, with this new agreement, there might as well be. ' ' '