Huntsville, AL
Our trip to Huntsville, Alabama, on August 10th, 2024, was the first time we drove to a tournament instead of flying. This had a huge impact on our budget. The 9.5-hour drive was a long haul, but we knew it would be worth it. We rented an Airbnb just 10 minutes from the tournament site that was near Downtown Huntsville with lots of food courts and plazas.
Heading into the tournament, we weren’t sure we would even make it in with our current ranking, but we were willing to take the risk with the tournament being within driving distance. Not many 15k tournaments are held in the US, so the opportunity was too good to pass up. To our shock and excitement, not only did we qualify, but we also landed the 3rd seed. This was our first official seeding at a US tournament! It felt like a breakthrough moment.
In the first round, we faced a challenging duo, an American who had previously won a W35k paired with a Brazilian ranked #959. We played a near-perfect first set controlling the pace and securing a 6-2 win. In the second set, the momentum shifted. Our opponents began to play more freely and we found ourselves on the losing end of a 3-6 scoreline. A 10-point tiebreaker loomed and despite the nerves, we stayed calm, embracing the match as a fun experience. Starting the tiebreaker 1-6 down, the odds seemed slim, but we weren’t ready to give up. As tennis players, we know how tough it is to come back from a deficit like that, but we kept fighting, point by point. Before we knew it, we were 6-6, the pressure high as ever. At 9-8 we earned a match point, and with no hesitation, we closed it out. Madi finished the point with a perfect overhead that flew over the fence for a winner. It was an emotional, hard-fought comeback that left us both stunned and elated. The victory was a huge confidence boost and a testament to our ability to push through mental barriers in high-pressure moments. We felt like we were finally making progress not only with our tennis abilities but with our ability to control our emotions and thoughts on court.
In the quarterfinals, we met a team that completely surprised us. An American ranked #1315 and an Australian ranked #361, who would go on to win the tournament. They won the first set 6-0 with no hesitation and were very dominant. We struggled to find our rhythm and couldn't get to the net first. After a quick reset, the second set was a different story. We fought back, saving two set points and even earning one ourselves to force a third-set tiebreaker. Unfortunately, we lost 6-7 (6), but the intensity of the match was something we hadn’t felt in a while. It was a high-level contest that taught us where we need to improve to reach that next level.
All in all, this trip to Huntsville was both productive and enriching. We gained so much from the experience. The confidence boost and the feeling of competing at a higher level were invaluable. It was now time to go home, refocus, and start preparing for the next trip. Hopefully, one that will come soon.
Total Points Earned: 3
Price Breakdown
Lodging: $879
Gas: $120
Groceries: $200
Tournament Entry: 2 x $20
Total Cost: $1239
Total Earnings: $148
