Friday, the 13th of January was anything but unlucky for ATA player Kenna Erickson. That was the day Erickson and her doubles partner, Linda Ziets Segura, won the doubles title in the J4 ITF tournament held in San Jose, Costa Rica.

“Kenna had an excellent week in San Josè, Costa Rica. It was her first time traveling out of the country and to bring home a title on the same trip is special,” said Coach Ashley Weinhold, ATA coach who traveled with Erickson. Erickson also made it into the semi-finals in singles of the same tournament. Coach Weinhold said “It was impressive how she bounced back from a tough semi-final singles loss and 45 minutes later brought out a strong level of energy and determination into the doubles final. Kenna and Linda played fantastic all week together and deserved the title – it was fun to watch them gel so easily. Kenna experienced some firsts this trip and I believe grew in the process which will help her in future tournaments and travel to come.”

The doubles championship is the first title Erickson has captured outside of the United States thus far in her junior tennis career. In the past 14 months, she has won two Gold Balls (2022 Easter Bowl, 2021 National Indoors), two Bronze Balls (2022 National Clay Courts, 2021 National Indoors), and a number of junior tournaments in Texas as well as around the country. “Kenna Erickson continues on the journey to reach the junior grand slam tournaments,” said Jack Newman, CEO/Owner of Austin Tennis Academy. “Her goal is to play the Australian Open, French Open, Wimbledon, and U.S. Open as a junior and to go on to be a pro competitor. That road requires you to travel to reach the international competitors who are trying to reach that same goal.”

“If it wasn’t for Jack Newman and the foundation (Austin Athletics Scholarship Foundation) Kenna may not have the opportunity to chase her tennis dreams,” said Jon Erickson, Kenna’s father. “Thank you to her coach Ashley Weinhold for her coaching and for traveling with her. Thank you to her team for preparing her, Coach Jack Newman, Coach Doug Davis and fitness Coach Migdoel Miranda, as well as the team of coaches and teachers at Austin Tennis Academy. What a community that we are so grateful to be a part of!”