Jake Romphf
Sarnia’s Abigail Gordon is shining brightly in Florida as she competes at the elite level of U.S. youth tennis.
The nine-year-old started playing four years ago when she attended a summer tennis camp at the Sarnia Riding Club. Two years later she was attending the Ontario Tennis Association’s Provincial Training Centre in Toronto.
Currently, Gordon is competing in two junior circuits in the Sunshine State, where she lives with her parents, Chris and Claire, and sister Alexis, 5.
This year she’s posted a 15-3 record in the 10-and-under division of the United States Tennis Association, and last fall qualified for the “Bobby Curtis” Green Ball Sectional – the state championships.
She made it there by winning one of 16 qualifying tournaments held throughout the year.
Gordon was born in Sarnia, played Huron Lakers basketball and attended Sacred Heart elementary.
Her next major test comes on July 21-22 when she will match up against the best nine-year-old players from Florida, Georgia, Virginia, Tennessee and the Carolinas at the East Regionals of the Little Mo National Championship.
A top-four finish at regionals would earn her a spot in the final stage of the National Championships in Texas in September.
In addition to all that, Gordon was selected for USTA’s Ambassador program called “Net Generation” – which aims to grow the sport - for her social media presence.
As an ambassador, Gordon will assist U.S. professionals in conducting clinics and programs during the Arthur Ashe Kids Day at the U.S. Open later this summer.
She also puts in 10 to 12 hours of training each week at the Evert Academy in Boca Raton, where the family is living.