Sudsy Monchik
Encyclopedia
Sudsy Monchik 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. 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.
, 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.
Monchik's 41 tournament wins places him fourth in career tournament wins behind only Cliff Swain
(71), Marty Hogan
(60) and Kane Waselenchuk
(52). He compiled those wins in 136 tournament appearances, 11th all time, a tournament winning rate of 30.1%.
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.
in 1992.
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.
. Also in 2006, he opened a bagel business on Staten Island, NY called "Sudsy's Bagels". Monchik sold that business in 2010. In 2011, he signed a contract with Ektelon
to become a Senior Advisor.
Monchik was selected as an inductee into the 2008-2009 Staten Island Sports Hall of Fame.
Racquetball
For other sports often called "paddleball", see Paddleball .Racquetball is a racquet sport played with a hollow rubber ball in an indoor or outdoor court...
player. As a five-time Pro World Champion, Monchik is considered by many to be the greatest player in the history of the sport. 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 OpenUS Open Racquetball Championships
The US Open racquetball championship is widely acknowledged as the premier professional racquetball event. It is a Grand Slam event with men and women competing from the International Racquetball Tour and Women's Professional Racquetball Organization, respectively. It also includes divisions for...
, 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
Kane Waselenchuk
Kane Waselenchuk is a professional racquetball player from Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. Waselenchuk finished the 2010-11 season as the #1 player on the International Racquetball Tour for the 6th time. He was undefeated on court in 2010-11, with only a default loss due to illness. It was the second...
are the only two men to win the US Open more than twice.
Monchik's 41 tournament wins places him fourth in career tournament wins behind only Cliff Swain
Cliff Swain
Cliff Swain is the player with the most tournament wins in professional racquetball history. He began playing the pro tour - International Racquetball Tour - in the 1980s and continued doing so into the 2000s. Known for his great drive serve and on court intensity, the left-handed Swain was a...
(71), Marty Hogan
Marty Hogan (racquetball player)
Marty Hogan is a former American racquetball player who won more than 100 international or national titles and six U.S. national championships during his 14-year career. Hogan was ranked either number one or number two in the world from 1976 to 1990.- Early years :He was born in St...
(60) and Kane Waselenchuk
Kane Waselenchuk
Kane Waselenchuk is a professional racquetball player from Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. Waselenchuk finished the 2010-11 season as the #1 player on the International Racquetball Tour for the 6th time. He was undefeated on court in 2010-11, with only a default loss due to illness. It was the second...
(52). He compiled those wins in 136 tournament appearances, 11th all time, a tournament winning rate of 30.1%.
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
International Racquetball Tour
The International Racquetball Tour is the professional series that features the world's best racquetball players and the most important pro events, mostly played in the USA....
(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 ManninoJason Mannino
Jason Mannino, born January 28, 1975, is an American racquetball player. Mannino was the #1 player at the end of the 2002-2003 International Racquetball Tour season, and was ranked fifth at the end of the 2008-09 IRT season....
in 1992.
Monchik represented the USA in the 1995 Pan American Games
Pan American Games
The Pan-American or Pan American Games are a major event in the Americas featuring summer and formerly winter sports, in which thousands of athletes participate in a variety of competitions. The Pan American Games are the second largest multi-sport event after the Summer Olympics...
in Argentina, where he played doubles with Tim Sweeney, winning the gold medal by defeating Canadians Chris Brumwell and Jacques Demers in the final.
Post-playing career
In 2006, Monchik was forced into retired due to a back injury diagnosed as spondylolisthesisSpondylolisthesis
Spondylolisthesis describes the anterior or posterior displacement of a vertebra or the vertebral column in relation to the vertebrae below. It was first described in 1782 by Belgian obstetrician, Dr. Herbinaux. He reported a bony prominence anterior to the sacrum that obstructed the vagina of a...
. Also in 2006, he opened a bagel business on Staten Island, NY called "Sudsy's Bagels". Monchik sold that business in 2010. In 2011, he signed a contract with Ektelon
Ektelon
Ektelon, Inc. is an American manufacturer of equipment for racquetball.Currently based in Bordentown, New Jersey, Ektelon was founded by Franklin W. "Bud" Held in 1964 as the first company to manufacture racquetball racquets and stringing machines, not long after the development of the sport of...
to become a Senior Advisor.
Monchik was selected as an inductee into the 2008-2009 Staten Island Sports Hall of Fame.