Emery Combs, the 14-year-old tennis prodigy from Conway, continues to rack up achievements.
This time it was on an international stage in Montreal, Canada.
Combs went 5-0 without losing a set to lead Team USA to victory in the International Tennis Federation World Junior Tennis 14-and-under qualifier for North America/Central America and Caribbean.
Team USA earned one of 16 berths in the ITF Junior finals in August 4-9 in Prague, Czech Republic. The event functions like a World Cup for junior tennis.
鈥淲e did very well,鈥 Combs said. 鈥淲e had a great team. We played great players and I鈥檓 glad we were able to win.鈥
The other members of Team USA were 14-year-old Olivia De Los Reyes of Scarsdale, New York, and 13-year-old Caroline Shea of Doral, Florida.
Team USA went 3-0 with wins over Mexico, Canada and the Dominican Republic.
Combs lost no more than three games in a set. Her domination is part of a process.
鈥淚t all starts with your routine, your pre-match routine, your post-match routine, your recovery,鈥 Combs said. 鈥淵ou鈥檝e got to do your mental practice and get ready for your match so you can go out there with energy and a positive attitude.鈥
Next up for Team USA is the finals. The Czech Republic is the defending champion and has won five of the last six finals. Team USA hasn鈥檛 won since 2017 but finished as runner-up to the Czechs last year.
There is some intrigue in terms of Team USA鈥檚 composition for the finals. Coaches pick three players based on factors like current form, availability and health, according to USTA public relations spokesman Dan Pyser.
鈥淚t might be the three that went to Canada,鈥 Combs said.
Combs said it might be a month or two before they know for sure who鈥檚 on the team for the finals.
'All over the place'
Combs celebrated her latest success by heading for Orlando, Florida, for more training and practice.
And that鈥檚 normal.
鈥淚t鈥檚 crazy,鈥 Combs said. 鈥淚鈥檓 all over the place, all the time. I鈥檝e been home probably five or six weeks all year.鈥
That required some adjustments.
鈥淚t was tough at first,鈥 Combs said. 鈥淏ut I鈥檝e done it so much, I鈥檝e kind of gotten used to it.鈥
Combs must accommodate education into the mix. As a homeschooler, she has that kind of flexibility.
鈥淚 usually have practice in the morning, sometimes in the afternoon,鈥 Combs said. 鈥淚 have time to do homework late in the afternoon.鈥
She is enjoying the time in Florida, especially the interaction with other elite players from around the world.
鈥淚t gives me the chance to play many different players,鈥 Combs said. 鈥淕oing to Orlando has definitely helped. I鈥檝e gotten to meet new people, new coaches and great players.鈥
The goal for Combs is to play professional tennis. She鈥檚 not sure when that will happen. There鈥檚 plenty of time for that.
That, too, is a process.
鈥淚t definitely takes a lot of work, a lot of practice, a lot of effort,鈥 Combs said.
Combs is on the way. She has accumulated enough points to rank No. 1 in South Carolina and No. 3 in the country in the United States Tennis Association National Standings List through events of April 23.
She鈥檚 comfortable where she鈥檚 at but it鈥檚 a long road.
鈥淚 think I'm doing very well,鈥 Combs said. 鈥淚 have a lot of confidence. But I still have a lot to work on.鈥
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