Texas Cup – ATA v Lakes – Recap, Pictures, Stories

This past weekend, ATA welcomed the Lakes Tennis Academy from the Dallas area for a Texas-Cup-style dual match. ATA came out on top 49-46 in one of the closest Texas Cups in the history of the 17-year competition.

“That was an absolutely epic weekend of competition!” Coach Brandon Davis said.

The Texas Cup format is similar to college tennis – very exciting, loud, spectator friendly tennis that feels more like a rowdy football game. The top 12 boys and girls from both academies played against each other in a round-robin format within 3 tiered groups of 4 that total 96 matches over 2 days.

Unlimited on-court coaching is allowed, with noisemakers, war paint, roaming bands of fans that impact matches like never seen in normal tennis events.

Academy, JA, JD, QS players, parents, and friends were there to support well into the evening in cold temperatures!

During Academy practice on Tuesday afternoon, the group paused for cake and ice cream after sharing positive, exciting, encouraging stories to celebrate the accomplishment.

Here are some of the highlights:

…Bottom 4 guys, Bailey, Garrett, Blaine, and Kyler, went undefeated – the first time in Texas Cup history a group goes 16-0….

…Marcus also went undefeated….

…overcoming match points that weren’t converted only to win in the third set…

…Daniela overcame two first-set losses to win twice…

‘I loved seeing Kyler go 4-0 – he really thrived in that environment.’

‘Abigail G really encouraged me and helped me pull in out when I was having a tough match.’

“I just loved the guest coaches. 1 little guy comes on to AJ’s match and at the end of the changeover says, ‘remember, it’s about having fun.’ AJ went on to win 4 straight games. I had multiple parents of those guys tell me that you guys are their real idols – that they look up to you guys, and you did a great job.”

‘You know how loud Max was on Saturday because he showed up Sunday with zero voice but still was there supporting through the last match.”

“I loved seeing our kids in uniforms – it was a sea of black and a sea of red – we were so connected – so together. It was amazing to see.”

“I am so proud of our players and coaches for all of the work and spirit they put in throughout the weekend!” Coach Davis said. “All of the credit goes to them. A truly inspiring performance by all.”