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| Jewel Peterson |
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| Alexandra Clay |
By Kaitlyn Brown, USTA Southern Intern
Jewel Peterson looked to her father’s memory and decided to play the 2010 US Open Southern Sectional Qualifying Tournament.
Peterson’s inspiration was her father who passed away only two months ago. Peterson was coached by her father, Ernie, who was the founder and director/ head teaching professional of the Peterson School of Tennis. For more on the legacy of Ernie Peterson, click here.
Peterson was very close to her father and explained, "He was my dad, my friend, and my coach, but my dad first." After her match today, she added, "I wanted to play, because he taught me to play."
Although Peterson has suffered a heartbreaking loss in her life, she will continue to pursue the game she loves. "I knew it would be hard", she declared, "but I felt in my heart that I needed to do it, and I know that he wants me to go for it."
Peterson was an All-American and made her professional debut in the Sony Ericsson WTA tour in Miami of 2005, but she fell to Dally Randriantefy in the first round.
Peterson, of College Park, Ga., just outside Atlanta, had a tough first round match against Katherine Schofield of Franklin, Tenn. Peterson was successful in the first set, winning 6-1. Schofield came back in the second set with a close score of 4-6. Peterson upped her game to take the last set 6-2.
The last set was in favor of Peterson, finishing off with a 6-2 victory.
Peterson’s experience was no match for youth in the second round, Alexandra Clay, of Grayson, Ga.
Clay took the match easily 6-0, 6-1. Clay, who will play for the University of Alabama this year as a freshman, said, "It was a privilege to be out there playing against someone like that," referring to Peterson and her outstanding accomplishments.
Click here for more about the US Open National Playoffs.