Colin Fleming Tennis

A little bit about Ken….

As Colin takes a rest week before heading out to the USA with the other half of Flemski, Ken has a little something to share…

Hi everyone! As part of the new Flemski partnership I think it is only fair that you find out a little more about ‘SKI’.
 
My full name is Kenneth David Skupski. I was born on April 9th 1983 in Liverpool, England. My mum is Mary and dad is Ken Senior. I have one younger brother called Neal who is also a tennis player. He is six years younger and is currently attending University in America at Louisiana State University where I attended between 2002 and 2007.
 
My dad was my biggest inspiration to take up tennis. My parents house backs onto Palmerston Tennis Club in Liverpool. This is where i began my tennis over 20 years ago. My junior career was pretty successful. Winning county and national championships in numerous age groups. I was a much better doubles player from an early age. I was fortunate to take part in the Junior Wimbledon Championship having qualified in 2001. I was matchpoints down in both rounds of qualifying so I was on a high going into the event. I ended up winning three matches during the championship before being beaten by Phillip Petzchner (Ger). On route to the quarter final match I beat Robin Soderling which is still one of my best singles results.
 
My life was at a cross roads at end of my junior career. I was in two minds whether to play professional or go to University. I wasnt given enough support to take the professional route so college was my only option. This was one of my best decisions and changed my life. Jeff Brown and Mark Booras the coaches at LSU were incredible and gave me everything I needed to improve and grow into the player I became after five great years. I was able to graduate with a degree and still compete at a high level. I was a six time All American during my college career. Three time academic, two singles and once in doubles. I made the NCAA final with Mark Growcott in my sophmore season and was the only player in history to win back to back SEC Indoors Singles Titles. My highest singles ranking during my time at college was number 4 but maintained a top 25 ranking for most of my career. In doubles I was ranked number 1 for a period with Mark Growcott and almost repeated this achievement with James Cluskey.
 
My college career finished in May 2007 where I began playing on the professional tour. My coach Pete Russell and travelling playing partner Richard Bloomfield were very enjoyable and I was doing very well throughout my first season. I did want to see how far I could go in the singles ranks but never really thought I could make a living. My career high in singles was 527 back in 2008 but at the start of 2009 I decided to dedicate all my efforts to doubles. I had some good success in doubles throughout 07 and 08 but things have really started to push on since teaming up with Colin in November 2008.
 
I have high hopes that I can achieve my life long ambition to be inside the top 50 in the world in the next 12 months. Another goal in life was to play Davis Cup and compete at all the majors. This is now a driving force behind my success and really intend to achieve all my ambitions and more as part of the Flemski partnership.