Sudbury Player Crowned Tennis Sectional Champion

WESTON, MA—New England Junior Sectionals showcases the best of the best in junior tennis in New England over a grueling five-day tournament, according to the United States Tennis Association.

The top New England juniors competed at the Connecticut Tennis Center and the Cullman-Heyman Tennis Center, both at Yale University from June 22-26, for their shot at achieving the highest level of success in their age division in New England.

"From first-time matchups and longtime doubles partners squaring off to epic four-hour battles and continued family traditions, this year’s Sectional Championships had no shortage of drama," said the announcementfrom the USTA. "Players train and compete all year to achieve peak performance at Sectionals, and for eight spectacular talents, their dreams became a reality on June 26, as they were crowned New England Junior Sectional Champions."

Sectional champions included Madeleine Swire from Sudbury.

Practice makes perfect for Madeleine Swire, who took a few months off from tournaments this past spring to work on her forehand, according to the USTA. She changed her grip, and in only her second tournament back, she defeated last year’s 12s champion, Violet Robbins for her first Sectionals Championship. Swire reached the championship of the 12s draw in 2016 but faced a second-round exit last year.

“I am really happy to win this year. After losing in the finals two years ago, getting this opportunity to come back in the 14s and win is amazing,” she said in a statement. Losing last year in the second round wasn’t great, but I’ve gotten a lost stronger mentally and I’ve worked very hard lately, and it’s definitely helped me.”

The No. 6 seed, Swire picked up wins against Augusta Beveridge, No. 3 Caroline Driscoll and Alexandra Prudente before squaring off with Robbins. It was about the longest a two-set match could last, spanning nearly three hours with both competitor putting everything on the line.

“Violet is always tough. I played her two weeks ago and lost in three sets, so I knew coming in it was going to be a difficult match,” Swire said in a statement. “She’s always intense and plays well and never drops her level. She played well today, but I played just well enough to win. I definitely played at my very best today.”

Swire went on to win the match, 7-6(4), 6-3.

Information supplied by USTA

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