Amy Stevens has had a remarkable week at the Tweed Heads W15 ITF pro tour event, storming from the qualifying rounds to win her first pro circuit ITF event.
Amy Stevens has had a remarkable week at the Tweed Heads W15 ITF pro tour event, storming from the qualifying rounds to win her first pro circuit ITF event. Stevens defeated Hong Kong’s Cheuk Ying Shek in the final 6-4, 6-0.
“It feels incredible - I’m still pinching myself to make sure it was real! Coming from qualifying, I just tried to take it one match at a time. I didn’t come in expecting to win the whole event - I just wanted to compete hard, give myself a chance each round, and see how far I could go. To end the week holding the trophy is pretty surreal. I think it was those matches in qualifying that gave me confidence. You get extra matches under your belt, you build momentum, and you get used to the conditions. So, by the time I was in the main draw, I already felt ready to go. Like I mentioned earlier my focus was never on the end result, it was on competing the right way and controlling what I could. I think it was that mindset really helped me stay steady, especially in the tough moments. I knew that every match was going to be a battle, so I kept reminding myself to trust my game, stay disciplined, and enjoy the challenge.”
Stevens, recently graduated from Vanderbilt University, Tennessee after completing her studies on a tennis scholarship. “Vanderbilt prepared me really well for this next step. Competing at the college level teaches you discipline, resilience, and how to handle pressure moments. The team environment also pushes you to grow not just as a player, but as a person. I learned how to balance academics and athletics, manage my time,and stay mentally tough. All of that translates directly into being a professional. And it’s these attributes that I take into my matches and who I strive to be asa competitor on court.”
“Having the Kooyong Foundation behind me has given me the resources and confidence to keep pushing my game. They have backed me for a long time, and that support has been huge in helping me take the step from juniors and college tennis into the pros. Knowing that there’s a community invested in my growth makes it easier to stay focused and trust the process, even when I started from qualifying.”
"I’m really grateful for the support from my coaches, teammates, family, and my Club. This title is a step forward, and I’m excited to keep building from here. I’m excited to head overseas for a 3-month tour to test myself against the best in the world!!”
