Sudsy Monchik

Sudsy Monchik (born October 12, 1974), is an American racquetball player. As a five-time Pro World Champion, Monchik is considered by many to be the greatest player in the history of the sport.^[1] Monchik was known for his power and speed, as well as his shot-making ability, especially his backhand, which many believed was the best in the game. Sudsy revolutionized the sport with his electric personality combined with his tremendous shot power from both his backhand and forehand along with his jaw dropping shot making ability.

Professional career

Monchik won the US Open, racquetball's most prestigious event, in its first year 1996, and then again three more times, in 1998, 2000, and 2002. He and Kane Waselenchuk are the only two men to win the US Open more than twice.^[2]

Monchik's 50+ tournament wins places him fourth in career tournament wins behind only Cliff Swain (70), Kane Waselenchuk (70), and Marty Hogan (60). He compiled those wins in 137 tournament appearances, 13th all time,^[3] a tournament winning rate of 29.9%.

Monchik won at least one pro tournament in each of his first 8 seasons competing on the pro tour from 1993-94 to 2000-01. However, after failing to win for a second season, Monchik retired from the International Racquetball Tour (IRT) after the 2003-04 season. He came back in the 2006-07 season, playing 9 of 13 events, but only reached the semi-finals once, and retired again.

Sudsy continues to stay involved as a commentator and advisor to the top organizations and governing bodies in the sport.

International career

Prior to turning pro, Monchik won three consecutive World Junior titles in Boy's 18 and under from 1991–1993, as well as doubles titles in Boys 18 & under with James Mulcock in 1993 and Jason Mannino in 1992.^[4]

Monchik represented the USA in the 1995 Pan American Games in Argentina, where he played doubles with Tim Sweeney, winning the gold medal by defeating Canadians Chris Brumwell and Jacques Demers in the final.^[5]

Sudsy is the only player in the history of the sport to win every age division at the Junior Nationals in both singles and doubles. All doubles titles with Jason Mannino.

Post-playing career

In 2006, Monchik was forced into retirement due to a back injury diagnosed as spondylolisthesis.^[6] Monchik was selected for induction into the USA Racquetball Hall of Fame in 2015.^[7] Previously, he was selected as an inductee into the 2008-2009 Staten Island Sports Hall of Fame.^[8]

In 2013, Monchik began an association with Dunlop Racquetball.^[9] Dunlop and Sudsy ended their relationship in 2015 when Dunlop decided to leave the racquetball category. Sudsy also was a commentator for that year's US Open Racquetball Championships, which were broadcast on Tennis Channel. Currently, Sudsy holds the prestigious position as HEAD Coach to the Ecuador National Team. To date, Sudsy has led the adult and junior teams to their best results in the countries international competition history. Events coaches, Pan American Games, Toronto Canada in July 2015, Junior World Championships, Santo Domingo Dominican Republic 2015, Pan American Championships, San Luis Potosi Mexico in 2016.

See also

• List of racquetball players

References

1. Sports illustrated "Man Wielding A Dangerous Weapon: Fearless Sudsy Monchik has sliced and diced his way to the top of his sport"
2. http://usaracquetball.com/RecordBooks/USOpenChampions.aspx
3. IRT Historical Data Archive - www.bossconsulting.com/irt
4. http://www.internationalracquetball.com/juniors/01irfjrs.htm
5. http://www.internationalracquetball.com/parc/00panams.htm
6. http://www.teamektelon.com/nl/v.aspx?n=328
7. http://www.silive.com/sports/index.ssf/2015/03/staten_islander_sudsy_monchik.html
8. http://www.head.com/racquetball/news.php?region=us&id=1156 Head Sports Press Release
9. http://dunloprball.com/

External links

• International Racquetball Tour (IRT)