Daytona Beach, FL
Before heading into the final tournament of the year, we were fortunate to have nearly a week off to celebrate Thanksgiving and reset both mentally and physically. After an extended stretch of competing and traveling, the break was much needed. Before we knew it, we were back on the road, heading to Daytona Beach for a W35k event with the goal of finishing the year strong and picking up a few more points.
Our first match was scheduled for Tuesday, and we faced a promising opening-round matchup against a young American team. We had previously played one of the girls in the first round of the Hilton Head tournament, so we came in with a clear game plan. As expected, they came out strong and fired up, playing with a nothing-to-lose mentality. Although we anticipated this, it still took some time for us to find our rhythm and establish control. Relying on our experience and recent success, we managed to turn the match around after nearly falling behind 0–3 in the first set. The match remained competitive throughout, as our opponents continued to fight hard and showed great resilience, even saving multiple match points. Ultimately, we were able to close the match on deuce at 5–3, winning 6–4, 6–3. While we were happy to advance, we knew we would need to elevate our level, as the next round would present a much tougher challenge.
In the second round, we faced an 18-year-old Brazilian ranked in the top 800 and a 24-year-old American ranked around 1150. We had crossed paths in several tournaments before, and now it was time to compete head-to-head. The first set proved challenging, as they slightly outplayed us while we worked to identify the most effective game plan. After making a few key adjustments, we came out strong and dominated the second set, shifting momentum firmly in our favor. Staying focused and continuing to apply pressure, we pushed the match into a deciding third-set tiebreak. From the very first point, we played relaxed yet assertive tennis. With the experience we’ve gained in tiebreaks these past few months, we committed to playing fearless and taking our chances.
We quickly built a lead in the tiebreak and carried that momentum through to a 10–4 win. The victory was especially meaningful, as it marked our third semifinal appearance, all within a month. Confidence was high, but we knew an even greater challenge awaited us in the next round against the second seeds. One player, known as the “Palm Tree” due to her height, was ranked around 600 and had beaten us earlier in the W35k in Orlando, alongside her partner, an up-and-coming junior already ranked in the top 600.
To call the match a battle would be an understatement. A large crowd gathered to watch, appreciating the high level of tennis on display. We were fully in the moment, focused on competing rather than outcomes or expectations. After dropping the first set once again, we made key tactical adjustments and became more comfortable with their playing styles and shot selection. The second set was extremely high quality, with both teams holding serve under pressure. At 6–5, we managed to break serve and force yet another third-set tiebreak.
Going into the breaker, the match felt completely up for grabs. We came out strong, executing key shots early to build momentum. Before we knew it, we were up 8–4 and firmly in control. Despite a few nerves, we stayed composed and closed out the match. Winning that point was surreal—earning a spot in the finals for the first time in our careers was something we could hardly believe. The hours that followed were filled with excitement, celebrating and sharing the moment with friends and family who had supported us throughout the week.
In the final, we faced a very experienced and accomplished team. One player was an American ranked around 150 in the world, partnered with an Estonian who is a former world No. 33. We were excited for the opportunity and ready to compete. Although we ultimately fell short, we put up a solid fight despite the scoreline not fully reflecting the level of the match. We lost 6–3, 6–2, but delivered a performance that the fans truly enjoyed.
Finishing the tournament as finalists was the perfect way to close out our year. Just one year ago, we had lost in the first round of a W15k, making this result even more meaningful. Given the challenges we’ve faced over the past few months, both health and financially related, this run exceeded anything we could have imagined. The hard work is paying off, and we’re heading into the new year motivated, confident, and excited to continue building on this momentum.
Points Earned: 23
Price Breakdown
Hotel: $511
Gas: $70
Food: $130
Tournament Entry: $20 x 2 =$40
Total Cost: $751
Total Earnings: $855
