Jeff Wolf's emotional outburst wasn't a surprise. After winning the final point to capture a record sixth men's singles championship of the Thomas E. Price Metropolitan Tennis championship, Wolf began celebrating.

Jeff Wolf (Yuli Wu photo) | ZOOM |

        Wolf, a 35-year-old teaching professional, threw his arms in the air before jumping over the net to shake hands with Rey Puentes, a 6-2, 6-3 loser to Wolf for the second consecutive year.

        Then, Wolf's hat then went flying into the air. Then, he jumped a fence in front of the grandstand to hug his wife, Brooke, his mother, Sis, and his two children, Jeffrey John and Danielle.

        Wolf's older brother Mar ty, who was on the court near the end zone, was next.

        “I can't even talk,” an overwhelmed Marty Wolf said. “I wanted so badly for Jeff to do it.”

        Going into this year's Met, Jeff Wolf, Marty Wolf and Charles Thomas were tied for the most singles championships at five.

        Wolf now stands alone at the top.

        He is first in singles championships (six) and doubles championships (12) at Cincinnati's most prestigious professional/amateur clay-court tournament.

        None of Wolf's victories in this year's tournament came easily. He was taken to three sets by Jason Pressel and also had tough matches

        against Jay Woffington and Jason Zimmermann.

        “I woke up this morning knowing I didn't want to be tied anymore,” Wolf said. “I warmed up with my dad (Charlie) and Marty, and it inspired me knowing Marty wanted me to break the tie.”

        Wolf lost 6-1, 6-4 to Puentes three weeks ago at the Harper's Point Racquet Club Sweet 16 Tournament. He used that setback as motivation.

        “I couldn't put it together the last time I played Rey,” Wolf said. “I wasn't hitting the ball well and had no interest. Dad got on me after I lost the first set to Pressel and reminded me that tennis is 95 percent mental.”

        Becasue of heavy traffic, when Wolf arrived he had less than 10 minutes before taking the court.

        However, he appeared loose while Puentes admitted being nervous.

        Wolf wasted no time taking control, holding serve in the first set and following with a break for a 2-0 lead. This set the stage for the 6-2 victory.

        Wolf broke again to start the second set but Puentes returned the favor for a 2-2 tie. From this point, Wolf was invincible, hitting passing shots and lobs while recording four serving aces.

        “Jeff didn't change anything,” Puentes said. “He served much better but I didn't feel like I was hitting the ball cleanly.”

        Puentes said he won't play the 2002 Met, “but I'm not saying I'll never play in this tournament again.”

        This was the 35-year-old Wolf's 14th Met Tournament. He started in 1985 but missed two years while playing on the professional satellite tour.

        Wolf hinted he will return in 2002.

        “Dad is 75 years old and hinted before the start that if playing in the Met is too much, I shouldn't enter,” Wolf said. “He's still playing. I guess I have to go 40 more years.”

        LOOKING AHEAD: The Met will start a week later next year.

        The CRC is planning to install new lighting, and to replace the eight hard courts that are used for early round matches.

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