Finalist of a WTA 125. Winner would have been even sweeter, but it still sounds pretty good to me. If you had told me last week that I would be playing in the finals of a WTA event, I wouldn’t have believed you. But maybe that was the key this week: low expectations.
Trusting the process
After a less-than-optimal singles result last week at the ITF W50 in Evora, Portugal, I built back some confidence in the doubles draw—I reached the finals with my partner Malaika Rapolu. Despite losing 8:10 in the third set super tie-break, I focused on striking the ball as freely as I could and gaining as much shot consistency, confidence, and strength as I could.
Post the doubles finals, there was a quick turnaround to the final tournament of my 4-week swing—the WTA 125 in Caldas da Rainha, Portugal. The Evora singles match left a bad taste in my mouth, and I was desperately trying to reset. I spent double the amount of time on court as I usually do in those few days between the two tournaments, trying my absolute best to find my game again. Slowly yet surely, I was getting back on the right track. I needed to rediscover my player identity.
The multiple doubles match gave me the initial trigger; a crucial call with my coach provided another push, and the intense days of targeted training leading up to my first match sealed the deal. (Also an invaluable therapy call and reflecting blog post!)
The tournament run itself
I flew into my first match, guns blazing, feeling awesome—and quickly lost the first set. OOPS! However, this set felt different from my previous matches. I felt like myself on the court; I instinctively knew I would eventually start playing great tennis again. I was unsure if that would be in this match, the next tournament, or even in the next month. My confidence was returning, and I was prepared to keep pushing until I had it back.
Then I won the second set (7:5) … and the third set and the whole match…. And then the second round (once again after losing the first set 6:7). I won the quarterfinals in two sets against Daria Snigur. I had lost to her two months ago at the Warsaw WTA 125, so this win felt extra rewarding. The semifinal was another revenge match against Carol Young Suh Lee—I won again in three sets.
Finally, I lost in my 4th three-set battle of the week in the finals against Russian player Polina Iatchenko. She played incredibly well, and I lost a bit of energy in the end. Even a 1% slowing of your footwork can make or break matches like these, when the margins are so small. It is always disappointing to lose in the finals, but I am very proud of myself for making it there in the first place. My team and I are choosing to focus on the many positives that came from this week.
The positives, in list form:
- Improved my tennis level match by match
- Played with intention and intensity
- Stayed positive, enjoyed the battles
- Executed smart tactics
- Fought very hard
- Played four physical 3-set matches
- Battled through minor injuries
- Gained points and prize money
- Wore some cute outfits
Now, onto the next steps. First and foremost, I need to take some time to recuperate my body after such an ordeal. Then, in the next month or so, I will play ITFs in Slovakia, Spain, and Scotland, as well as a WTA 125 in Italy.