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PrintThe Latifi brothers are getting more than wins from playing doubles tennis together.
Inside Green Tennis Center on the MU campus, Omeed and Eemaun Latifi combined their individual skills to work together as a team at the Show-Me State games.
“I enjoy it ’cause it’s not often you get to do something with your brother,” Omeed said.
Omeed, 17, won gold in the 18-and-under singles and his brother Eemaun, 14, finished first in the 14-and-under singles group at the Show-Me State Games.
The singles finals ended Saturday morning, then the two teamed up to compete in the doubles competition.
Omeed, who will be a senior at Hickman, said their time spent on the court is time they normally would not spend together.
“He is three years younger, so he always does things with other people,” he said.
Omeed typically played doubles tennis with people closer to his age, but has recently started to play with his brother.
“I know my parents like watching and I like playing it.” Omeed said. “He’s your brother, he’ll be there your whole entire lifetime.”
Tony Latifi, their father, says his sons talk about their tennis strategy at home and that allows them to play on a higher level than non-sibling teams.
“They can communicate better because they can read each other’s mind,” he said.
Each said his brother brings a skill to doubles he otherwise lacks.
“I have a lot bigger serve than he does,” Omeed said. “He’s pretty good at the net.”
“His ground strokes probably are better, but I think my volleys are better,” Eemaun said.
Omeed said he expects more out of himself.
“I should play better because I’m older and probably have to at times because he’s not as strong.”
Their combined individual skill and sibling relationship proved to be successful.
The Latifi brothers defeated Stefan Nosic and Zach Wiemer, both from Columbia, 6-3, 6-3, to win gold in the 18-and-under doubles.
Omeed hopes that their successes will continue beyond the Show-Me games.
“I want to play with him in high school,” he said.
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