News & Features

Share:

Max Smith won the boys singles title, while Jacqueline Nick captured the girls singles crown at the USTA 12s Winter National Championships at the University of Texas at San Antonio Tennis Center.

Boys Singles Champion Max Smith
© Caiden Reibold/YourGameFace

The fifth-seeded Smith (Parkland, Florida) defeated No. 1 David Bender (Indian Harbour, Florida) 6-0, 6-2 in the boys final. Nick (Katy, Texas), seeded seventh, beat No. 4 Lucy Dupere (Wake Forest, North Carolina) 5-7, 6-2, 6-2.

Smith, who showed a lot of heart and resilience throughout the event, claimed his first USTA gold ball.

“I was not feeling my best, but all I did was think positive,” Smith said. “I gave it my best effort during the tournament. I was able to pull through on those tough matches because of my mental game. I was serving really well. Most importantly for me during this tournament was my slice. UTSA and Anne Marie Tennis Center are both faster courts. During the rallies, I was hitting hard shots and it really caught my opponent off guard.”