The USTA Clay Court Nationals is an L1 tennis event that junior players from all over the country must qualify for in order to compete. The annual championship consists of 128-player singles compass draw and 64-teams draw with no consolation at each of the four different age levels in both boys and girls play: 12’s, 14s’, 16s, and 18s. At this year’s Clay Court Nationals, ATA player Tristan Stine and his partner Sibi Raja advanced to the finals of the B16 Doubles, and brought home a ‘USTA Silver Ball’. “It feels pretty good,” said Stine. “Both me and my partner played very well all week. It was a grind of an event so I’m glad to have made the final.”

Sibi Raja and Tristan Stine

“I’m so proud of Tristan,” said Brian Notis, Stine’s primary coach. “Tristan and Sibi had a fantastic week, but a couple weeks ago we weren’t even sure if he would be healthy enough to compete this week. Tristan just got cleared by his doctor to hit backhands after fracturing his left elbow. I know he never felt 100{37ef6ac642fae6f93f343032eb62785d28fa7a25a4a4f0267a12512c541c53a9} comfortable with his backhand this week and he didn’t have full confidence in the strength in his left arm, but it seemed to get better and better everyday. He fought through that adversity and nearly cramping after a 4-hour singles match in the 2nd round and competed great, was a fantastic partner, and was fearless all tournament. While the final was disappointing, he and Sibi have nothing to hold their heads down about. The level they brought in that final was simply
awesome.”

Stine fishing before Semis match

Stine’s biggest takeaways from the tournament may have helped him make it into the finals. “Hydrating and taking care of my body is key. The weather was brutal and the only way to play 100 percent was to make sure I was treating my body well.” One of the ways Stine found to treat his body, and mind, well was to go fishing ~ even just hours before both his semis and finals matches.

One of the messages junior tennis players hear over and over again at
Austin Tennis Academy is that you’ve got to practice the way you want to play in tournaments. Coach Jack Newman, ATA Owner/CEO, says he’s seen that kind of focus from Stine all year long. “Tristan Stine has been one of the most talented players at the Austin Tennis Academy this year; his ball striking ability and athleticism set him apart from many other players.  However, to reach high levels of accomplishment, athletes must also cultivate work ethic, mental stamina and positive energy control.  Tristan’s improvement in those three areas gave him the opportunity to prove his talent.  I could not be prouder of the work he has done this year to earn this USTA Silver Ball.”
In fact, Stine hopes his summer will get even better saying he wants to “make another good run at Kalamazoo and bring the confidence I have in doubles to my singles game.” Hard Court Championships at Kalamazoo and San Diego begin in three weeks.

An interesting side note: Stine is one of two ATA players who work with Coach Notis as their primary coach who have earned a USTA Silver Ball so far in 2023. Jack Ingram earned his at the Winter Nationals in B18 Doubles.