Dynastic Davises triumph

NEWPORT BEACH ? The only thing that seems to get old for father-son doubles champions Scott and Gordon Davis is the competition.

The top-seeded duo defeated No. 2-seeded Ernie and Chris Schoop, 6-0, 6-3, Sunday to win the super seniors division of the 12th annual United States Tennis Assn. national father and son hardcourt doubles championships at the Newport Beach Tennis Club.

Scott, a Corona del Mar resident, is director of tennis at the Newport Beach Tennis Club. The 43-year-old spent 14 years on the ATP Tour, winning 22 doubles titles and three singles crowns.

Teamed with his father and former coach, Gordon, an Encino resident, Davis and his dad have built a dynasty at this annual event.

The Davises have won two straight super seniors division titles (fathers age 70 and older). They also won four straight crowns in the senior division (fathers ages 60-69) from 2000 to 2003. They missed the tournament in 2004, when Scott was coaching a doubles team at Wimbledon.

Not only have the Davises won each father-son title in which they have competed, they had not lost a set, until Saturday’s semifinals.

Ojai residents Karl and Derek Pope, who upset the No. 4 seeded pair in the round of 16, broke up the Davises’ perfect record, before relenting, 6-2, 3-6, 6-1.

“We were glad to get that one out of the way,” Scott Davis said of the lost set in the semifinal.

Both Davises, who first played together as a father-son entry when Scott was 8, said winning tournaments never gets old.

“Absolutely not,” said Scott, who was once ranked No. 1 in the world in doubles and as high as No. 11 in singles. He has won 35-and-older titles at Wimbledon and the U.S. Open.

And, Scott Davis said, playing with his father, only grows more special with time.

“I think it’s fantastic that they have this event on Father’s Day weekend,” Scott Davis said. “It’s great just to hang out and spend time with my dad. But it’s even better to spend time together competing.

“My dad was my coach from Day One. When we first started playing together, I remember marveling at how he could run down shots.”

Gordon Davis quickly chimed in: “Now that’s [Scott’s] job.

“It’s special playing together every year,” Gordon Davis said. “I think I appreciate every year even more than the last. To be together like this on Father’s Day ? What more could you ask for?”

Scott Davis was quick to supply an answer to that hypothetical question, stating, “How about a winner’s barbecue on Father’s Day? That’s what we have planned next.”

Gordon Davis, 70, is fit and still possesses ample skill on the court.

“He was moving well today,” Scott said of his partner.

But the elder Davis was quick to point out who remains the not-so-secret behind their success.

“My other son, Gordon Jr., is an airline pilot, so he flies around up there,” Gordon Davis said while pointing to the sky. “But Scott flies around on the court.”

Scott Davis, whose strength and quickness make him a devastating serve-and-volley threat, capped the first-set sweep with back-to-back aces.

Chris Schoop, playing with his father, Ernie, held serve to open the second set. The Schoops broke Gordon Davis’ serve to even the set, 2-2.

But the Davises broke back with the younger Schoop serving and built a 5-2 lead, before going on to victory.

The Davises, who received a first-round bye, won four matches to reign supreme.