For Tennis Ace Atanasson, Success is a Family Business

Working with family is usually a recipe for disaster, but it seems to be turning out just fine for local tennis standout and Owings Mills resident Amanda Atanasson.

The 14-year-old, who trains with her brother, Peter, primarily at Baltimore Fitness and Tennis, has been enjoying a string of good results recently in USTA tournaments. After a 2010 season that saw her rack up two singles titles and four doubles titles, Atanasson is currently ranked No. 4 in the Girls 14-and-under division for the Mid-Atlantic region.

“You would imagine that it would be difficult, but Amanda is so disciplined in practice that it’s been really easy to work with her,” said Peter Atanasson.

Introduced to the sport by her family at the age of 9, Atanasson began entering local tournaments only a year later, reaching the finals of her very first one. 

As the trophies piled up, Atanasson began to be home-schooled a few years ago in order to be able to practice daily and have more flexibility in traveling to tournaments.

When the school week ends, Atanasson spends up to 20 weekends a year traveling to compete in some of the biggest junior tournaments in the region, in addition to a small series of weeklong national events.

Atanasson said that at this level of play, on-court success is largely a family effort.

“They’re very involved with my tennis,” said Atanasson. “My brother coaches me and my dad offers lots of support and strategic advice. My family comes out to the tournaments as well and enjoy watching me play.”

Although Atanasson is currently recovering from an injury, she said that she was working on developing a more aggressive game prior to being sidelined.

However, her coach and brother said that one of her biggest strengths on the court is something which can’t be taught.

“She never gives up in matches,” said Peter Atanasson. “There have been countless times where I thought she was out of it, yet she figured out a way to come from behind and win.”

Some of her opponents would agree with that sentiment as well.

“Amanda is extremely tough to play against,” said Tamara Culibrik, a resident of Richmond, Va., who played Atanasson in tournament competition last year. “If you let your guard down for even a little bit, she finds a way to get on top of the match.”

Atanasson said that she is looking to eventually break into the ITF junior circuit, a series of international competitions throughout the world, and is preparing to do so by playing high level national competitions at the moment.

With her work ethic, she believes that anything is possible on the court.

“There is nothing I enjoy more than working as hard as I can in order to improve, and being able to go home knowing that I gave my best,” said Atanasson. “I hope to continue training hard and improving myself in all aspects both on and off the court.”