Akli has compiled a sterling 23-6 singles record as a senior while also becoming the first player from the prestigious Southeastern Conference (SEC) to win Player of the Week honors twice this year.
The #7 player in the Intercollegiate Tennis Association (ITA) national singles rankings, Akli has compiled a sterling 23-6 singles record as a senior while also becoming the first player from the prestigious Southeastern Conference (SEC) to win Player of the Week honors twice this year.
The daughter of Senior Director of Player Development Oliver Akli began training at JTCC in 2006 in Red Ball classes under the tutelage of her father. After progressing through the Junior Development and High Performance pathway, Akli describes her Dad’s early impact on her game.
“My Dad never forced me to play. He just always wanted me to have fun,” Akli said. “That helped my development because I went into practice focusing on learning something new and not my results.”
Akli’s hard work would lead to superior results years later. A standout performer in college both on the court and in the classroom, Akli was named 2022 All-Sec First Team, SEC Academic Honor Roll, & ITA Scholar-Athlete.
Crediting JTCC for her growth as a tennis player, Akli describes what makes JTCC unique.
“JTCC creates a positive environment where we push each other to do better, rather than fighting for the top spot,” stated Akli, who trained with current professional players and JTCC alumni Frances Tiafoe and Robin Montgomery. “We are a family training together at JTCC. This culture helped me when I got to college, where tennis isn’t an individual sport as much.”
Uncertain about her future and if she will return for a fifth year, Akli currently has her eyes set on winning the SEC Conference tournament and making the NCAA Elite Eight.
When asked how she would like to be remembered after her playing career is over, Akli did not hesitate in redirecting attention from herself.
“I just want to be remembered as the best teammate possible, someone who’s always there for my teammate and can support anyone through anything. That’s all I want to do,” said Akli emphatically. “It has nothing to do with record or results but just being able to impact someone’s life.”
