His demeanor is so nonchalant on the court you begin to question whether this is the same Adam Rubenstein who is on course to make IHSA tennis history.
You double-check the court assignments and find it is indeed Rubenstein and his doubles partner, Mack Reynolds. Adding further confirmation is that he is wearing a New Trier tennis hat, albeit backward and skewed to the side. Is that the look of a three-time state doubles champion who, if things go according to form, will claim an unprecedented fourth title?
Rubenstein’s attention at the moment is directed at the neighboring court, watching two other doubles teams play at Fremd. Only when Rubenstein returns a wicked forehand for a point off of Centralia’s Jaffer Merchant it is definitively answered that, yes, he is Adam Rubenstein.
“That’s just the way I am,” Rubenstein said Thursday, the opening day of the boys state tennis tournament. “I’m laid back. When the ball comes to me I’m ready–that’s the important thing.”
It’s also important to note that Rubenstein is pursuing a feat that no doubles player has ever accomplished since the tournament began in 1912. Equally significant, Rubenstein and Reynolds, the tournament’s top seed, are in position to win their third consecutive state doubles title, something that’s been done once, by Bill Bauman and Bob Smidl of Oak Park-River Forest in 1938-40.
“If I win this one, it’s the icing,” said Rubenstein, a 6-foot, 175-pound senior. “Everything I’ve done before has just been the groundwork for this weekend.”
Rubenstein and Reynolds had no trouble in the opening three matches of the tournament, which was spread out across 11 northwest suburban schools. Only rain that delayed matches about two hours prevented the duo from making it a quick day. The senior tandem defeated Centralia’s Matthew Terry and Merchant 6-1, 6-1, Moline’s Ryan Dierks and Tom Goebel 6-2, 6-0, and Naperville Central’s Mike Tiu and Josh Williams 6-2, 6-0 in the first three rounds, respectively.
New Trier, the two-time defending champion, held a narrow lead over Lake Forest with Hinsdale Central third after the first day of competition. None of the top eight seeds in either singles or doubles lost in the opening three rounds.
The round of 16 and quarterfinals will be played Friday, with the semifinals and finals Saturday at Hersey, where Rubenstein and Reynolds are favored to put the finishing touches on their outstanding high school careers.
“For me to win three titles and my partner to win four would be unbelievable,” said Reynolds, who will play tennis at Denison University next year. “It would make me feel great if I was part of [Rubenstein’s] history. Kind of like a catcher who calls a perfect game. I’m just along for the ride.”
Reynolds has no doubt understated his role. Beyond being a strong all-around player, he provides a perfect balance for Rubenstein’s laid-back demeanor. A football player until his sophomore year, Reynolds is fiery and talkative, which are not Rubenstein’s strong suits.
“I remember when I first put them together, people were like, `What the heck are you doing?'” New Trier coach Tim Kajfez said. “Mack is one of the more intense players you’ll meet. He brings the best out in Adam. It’s an interesting combination.”
But don’t let Rubenstein’s style fool you. Behind his crooked cap and faraway look is a very talented player. As a freshman, he teamed up with Joe Smeeton to win state before he was paired with Reynolds. The duo, 26-1 this season, went undefeated last year and has dropped only four matches in three years.
Rubenstein, who will play at Trinity University in San Antonio next year, said he hasn’t really thought about his run at the record book unless people ask. Not even Rubenstein’s father, Ron, says anything to him.
“I’ve never mentioned it to him, and he’s never mentioned it to me,” the elder Rubenstein said. “It’s just too much pressure.”
Doubles domination seems to run in the Rubenstein family. Ron and his daughter, Blair, are the defending father-daughter national champions, and Blair finished second in state in doubles for New Trier in 1995 and 1996.
“He is one of the smartest doubles players I have ever seen,” Kajfez said.
Rubenstein and Reynolds work superbly together. They always know where the other is on the court and set each other up. They are friends on and off the court, each enjoying similar pleasures–namely, winning.
“It was love at first sight,” Reynolds said kiddingly.
Rubenstein, checking his cell phone, nodded in agreement.
