The Tribune

By BRENT STUBBS

Senior Sports Reporter

bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

SYDNEY Clarke made a successful debut for the University of Alabama at Arlington (UAB) as she helped the Blazers produce a great showing at the ITA Fall Circuit at the Athletic Club in Huntsville, Alabama.

Clarke, the 18-year-old 5ft 5in rookie, was a part of the six-member team from UAB that played in the 28-player field last weekend.

In singles, Clarke pulled off two victories over Elizabeth Standifer (UN) 6-4, 6-4 and against Ida Hasselbalch (UNA) 7-5, 6-3 before she suffered her first defeat in the semifinal to Kennedy Gibbs (UN) 6-1, 6-0.

“I was very excited about it. It was my first tournament for the year nd my first tournament as a collegian,” said Clarke, who haven’t played since the Bahamas Lawn Tennis Association’s Georgio Baldacci National Open in December at the National Tennis Center.

“So that was really great. That was awesome. It was a roller coaster emotion. I played really well or my first tournament. I lost in the semifinal, but I felt as the days went by leading into the tournament. my game was improving from the time I got here.”

Blazers’ head coach Mark Tjia said after not playing since March due to Covid-19, it was great to get back in action.

“A couple of our freshmen had their first look at college competition and they did well. Jana had a good couple of days and deserved to walk away as the champion,” Tjia said.

Clarke said just delighted to be a part of such a team with the bond they have developed so far.

“We respect each other’s opinion and we move forward,” she stated. “We hung out together and some weekends, we hang out in the park or go get something to at. It’s just been a great experience. The senior girls have been showing us the rope, so it’s been a great experience.”

As for her game, Clarke said she’s been working on her serve and her forehand, which she hopes will become her biggest weapons as she add more variety to her game and her movement around the court.

With two more tournaments pending, Clarke said she intend to be ready. “I expect myself to improve and do better than the last time,” she insisted. “I lost in the semi’s, so I hope to make the final.”

Clarke, a former student of CR Walker, who went on to Windsor High School where she earned a full scholarship and became apart of the Albany Tennis Academy, powered by Lleyton Hewitt, before she graduated this year.

She entered UAB after playing on the ITF circuit in the junior division where she reached her highest ranking of 261 (2018). She was ranked number one in the Bahamas girls Under-18 division and currently holds the No 2 spot in the woman’s division. She played on the Fed Cup on the Bahamas women’s team for the past three years.

Clarke is the oldest daughter of Shayvon and Bernard Clarke. She young sister, Sarai Clarke, is following in her footsteps as one of the top rising young players in the Bahamas Lawn Tennis Association.

In the meantime, Clarke said her goal is to get better than she came into UAB.

“I just hope to keep working hard and improving as the season progresses and keep accomplishing my on court and off court goals,” summed up Clarke, who intend to pursue a degree in business and journalism. “I want to keep up and stay on top of my academics. Classes are going well, so I just hope to stay focused and continue to do well on and off the court.”