Back on the Court, Alexa Guarachi is Enjoying Tennis More Than Ever
7/19/2017 9:40:00 AM | Women's Tennis
During her tenure as a member of The University of Alabama women's tennis team from 2010-13, Alexa Guarachi enjoyed an amazing career, advancing to the semifinals of the NCAA championships in both singles and doubles, earning All-America honors along the way. She also earned All-Southeastern Conference honors all four years of her career.
So when she closed out her collegiate career with the Crimson Tide, there was little doubt that a great career in professional tennis was on the horizon.
Success came quickly for Guarachi on the International Tennis Federation circuit. She won eight ITF doubles titles in 2014 and 2015 and won a singles title in Vancouver, Canada in 2014, as well as making it to the quarterfinals of three ITF singles events in 2015.
Things were singing along for the South Walton High School graduate who hails from Fort Walton Beach, Fla., when, "I was playing a tournament in Waco, Texas in the beginning of November in 2015 when I tore my ACL."
A little more than a month later, Guarachi went back to her home state of Florida, where world-renowned orthopedic surgeon and Alabama team physician Dr. James Andrews performed surgery to repair her knee.
"I knew it was going to be an extremely tough road to recovery and I couldn't have done it without my family, Dr. Andrews and the team of physical therapists who supported me and pushed me every single day."
Guarachi comes from a family that understands the rigors of athletics and the sacrifices that often come with it. Her father, Fernando Guarachi, played tennis for Alabama and her great grandfather (Hilman Holley, a member of the Tide's 1930 national championship team) and uncle (Felipe Guarachi) both played football for the Crimson Tide. So it's no wonder that less than a year after surgery, she was back on the court and once again playing at a high level.
"I am just so happy to be back playing the sport I love," Guarachi said. "I think I needed some time away to reflect on what I really wanted and how bad I wanted it. Sometimes you don't realize how incredibly lucky you are until something gets taken away from you."
Since returning to the ITF tour, she has won five more doubles titles and twice reached the semifinals in singles.
"It's been exciting to watch Alexa's growth, improvement and eagerness to succeed on the professional level," UA head coach Jenny Mainz said. "She has a healthy, mature perspective that undoubtedly is playing a role in her success. I believe she has a lot left in the tank and she can continue to elevate her game."
While no one wants to go through a torn ACL and the rehab process that follows, the whole experience did have a positive outcome for Guarachi.
"I have a completely new mindset this time around and am having more fun than ever competing," Guarachi said.
