Family affair: Willing teams up with sister-in-law to win mixed doubles city championship

QUINCY — Zach Willing could have firmly established bragging rights over his father Todd Willing for the next year, but Todd and Katie Willing — Todd’s sister-in-law — made sure that did not happen.

After Zach Willing and Stephen Washuta beat Todd Willing and Tavi Popaluca in men’s open doubles, Todd and Katie Willing defeated Zach Willing and Becky Holzgrafe 7-5, 7-6 to capture the mixed doubles title in the Quincy Tennis Association city doubles championships Sunday.

While terms were even on Sunday, Todd Willing admitted his son’s success against him in the past does not erase what happened this weekend.

“He’s got bragging rights for sure through the years,” Todd Willing said.

This was also Todd Willing’s first time playing doubles with Katie, who is married to Todd’s brother, Tim.

“I had a great time,” Todd Willing said. “I’d never really hit with Katie. She did really well. She’s really aggressive, likes to volley and has a great ground stroke. It was fun.”

Katie had not originally intended to partner with Todd.

“My husband asked me if I wanted to play, and I was maybe going to play with him, but he was a little too injured to play, so Todd and I played instead,” Katie Willing said.

Todd turned out to be a solid choice, although it took some time for Katie, who had not played a competitive tennis tournament since 2012, to adjust to the speed of the game.

“It took a little bit getting used to returning guys’ serves because I just started hitting again this year,” Katie Willing said. “It’s all ladies and it’s all casual. This was a little more competitive. It was fun.”

The championship match began at the Greeman Tennis Center in Reservoir Park, but rain that increased in intensity midway through the second set forced the match indoors to the Quincy Racquet Club. There, Todd and Katie Willing had a match point at 6-5 in the second set. Todd Willing had a chance to end the match with a backhand volley at the net, but he hit it into the net, forcing a deuce. Zach Willing and Holzgrafe won the game to force a tiebreak.

“I was like, ‘Oh my gosh. How did I miss that?’” Todd Willing said. “I probably let up a little bit. It’s just one of those things. I just played it tentative and missed it.”

Todd and Katie Willing rebounded to win the tiebreak 7-2 and clinch the city title.

“I was like, ‘Oh boy, I hope that doesn’t cost us,’ but it worked out,” Todd Willing said.