Mathur determined to end WHS tennis career at state
Wooster High senior Ava Mathur would like to complete her prep tennis career with a trip to the state tournament, held at The College of Wooster.
For as long as Ava Mathur has been able to walk, she has had a tennis racket in her hand.
The Wooster senior has not only seen that passion for the sport grow over the years, but also has turned it into quite a prep career that has included numerous victories, trophies and accolades.
“It started off as playing tennis on my grandparents’ court, and now I am extremely passionate about it,” said Mathur, who started playing tennis at the age of 4. “Each year I grow more and more passionate about it, so the sport means so much to me.”
And while that love of tennis has given her a lot of joy, she has some unfinished business with it before her high school career comes to a close.
Despite being the Ohio Cardinal Conference Player of the Year and Division I Sectional champ last fall, Mathur fell short in getting back to the state tournament.
What made it sting a little more was the event was held at The College of Wooster for the first time, courts that are just steps away from those same courts where she began her tennis journey.
It’s something that has driven Mathur from the minute the 2023 season came to a close.
“I have been extremely motivated to get back to state,” she said. “Those emotions have motivated me this season by causing me to work harder and be more determined. With practice and off-court training, I have been very committed to get better and improve my game.”
The best remedy for getting that bitter taste out of her mouth? Well, doing the same thing she’s always done: get back out on the court and get better.
It’s something Wooster coach Cordell Smith has seen out of his first singles players from the minute the season started.
“Biggest improvements to Ava’s game are her serve, her point management and mindset, which have made her a much more mature and strong tennis player,” he said. “Ava is incredibly driven to make it back to state this year. She has worked tirelessly during the offseason and is playing with an incredible focus right now.”
And that work has paid off in Mathur winning 16 of her first 18 matches to open the season. While those victories are impressive, who she has beaten is even more remarkable as she has defeated a number of returning state qualifiers.
In winning the singles title at the Medina Highland Invitational, the 5-foot-3 Mathur beat state qualifiers in Avon Lake’s Amber Korey and Perry’s Audrey Austin en route to the title. She also has taken down Ally Haynes of Highland and Addison Sheil of North Canton Hoover in dual matches.
“Something I have improved since last season is my patience,” Mathur said. “I have been more patient in point play, waiting for the right ball to put away instead of over-hitting because I am going for too much. This has caused me to make fewer errors because I am setting up the point better.”
It’s something she hopes to continue when the OHSAA postseason begins the week of Sept. 30 — and hopefully into a spot at the state tourney in front of her hometown fans.
One thing is for certain: Mathur won’t be outworked.
“The attributes that make Ava a standout player is her work ethic, drive and leadership,” Smith said. “I have never seen a player who works as hard as Ava. She is very driven to succeed in order to be the best tennis player she can be, not ever giving into complacency.
“Ava is the caliber and quality of player coaches dream of having in their career for their program. We are blessed to have Ava as part of our program at Wooster High School and very excited for her future.”