Eastern at the 2024 NTRP National Championships

Three times is a charm. Eastern players captured titles in three divisions at the 2024 NTRP Championships, held April 5-7 (singles), April 19-21 (doubles) and April 26-28 (mixed doubles) in multiple locations across the country: the USTA National Campus in Orlando, Florida, the Cooper Creek Tennis Center in Columbus, Georgia, the Pelham Racquet Club in Pelham, Alabama, the Barnes Tennis Center in San Diego, California, and the Surprise Tennis and Racquet Complex in Surprise, Arizona.

Throughout the three weekends, Brooklyn, N.Y.’s Leanh Nguyen claimed victory in the 55 & Over 3.5 Women’s singles event, defeating Lori Bieniek of USTA Midwest in the final, 4-2, 4-2; Nicole Fiftal, of Larchmont, N.Y., and Danielle Morgan, of Mamaroneck, N.Y. brought the championship hardware home in the 40 & Over 3.5 Women’s doubles division, overcoming Elizabeth Dickerson and Sally Farkas of USTA Florida, 3-4, 4-3, 4-2; and Michelle Dvorkin, of Pelham, N.Y., paired with Anna Raiff of USTA Southern California in 18 & Over 3.5 Women’s doubles to ease past the all-Eastern duo Annie Berger and Jennifer Keefe in three sets, 4-1, 3-4, 4-2. (Berger previously captured a title at the 2023 event.)

You can play at Nationals too! Compete in an NTRP Qualifier this summer to earn your spot at the 2025 event

“I do believe that all of us who qualify for Nationals should have the game to win, in theory!” Nguyen said after capturing the championship at the Orlando location. “The key is to be able to pull out that game when the score-keeping starts. So my goal was to test my mental toughness. I wanted to know that I could keep my nerves steady, be adaptable and stay laser-focused on what I had to do. I wanted to know that I could rely on my game.”

Turns out—especially in the early stages—she could. Nguyen claimed all three of her early round robin matches in straight sets to advance to the semifinal round; she never lost more than three games in a match and won three sets by a scoreline of 4-0.

“Focus was the goal, the cornerstone,” she said of the impressive results. “Focus on what the trip was about, focus on my game, focus on what I wanted to do, which was staying steady with my nerves.”

In the final, Nguyen admitted that the focus that helped propel her forward in the tournament was put to the ultimate test, as Bieniek employed a somewhat unorthodox tactic to upset the rhythm of the contest.

“I have a hard-hitting game and play best when under pressure of pace and attack,” Nguyen explained. “She figured it out quickly and gave me these moonballs that would bounce to what felt like the penthouse of my building!”

Forced to generate her own pace, Nguyen began to commit uncharacteristic errors.

“I'd watch the ball go into orbit and land back on earth in slow motion,” Nguyen said. “And when it was time to make contact with the ball with my racquet, it was like I had been hypnotized and had forgotten everything about grip, position, swing, the whole tennis deal!”

Nguyen was still able to pull through in straight sets, though she felt that the scoreline was deceptive—she could have very easily lost more games due to the amount of missed shots she hit.

“When the last ball spun out of my opponent's reach, I was just relieved,” she said after clinching the title. “I was also relieved that the point that brought me victory was not her error but was my winning shot. That was important, because I felt that the whole match was such a mess.”

Despite the frustration in her own game, Nguyen couldn’t speak more highly of the experience overall. In particular, she appreciated the competitive and congenial atmosphere that swirled around her throughout the weekend. She had kind words for all her opponents, including Bieniek, who she cited as “gracious and formidable.”

“I really enjoyed getting to see the dedication and love of the game,” Nguyen said. “I feel so grateful that I can play, and when I look across the net, I feel so inspired to see another woman who is tough, fit and clearly passionate. At the end of each match, no matter who wins, when we shake hands, it is very very clear that we would both get back on the court and chase after that yellow ball again the very next day. It's so life-affirming.”

In the 40 & Over 3.5 doubles division, Fiftal and Morgan too went 3-0 in their round robin contests to reach the semifinals. Fiftal said the key to their partnership was chemistry and trust the pair had developed after having participated in many clinics together. That, as well as complementary playing styles that made them a tough out on court.

“Danielle is a monster at the net in the best way, always moving and keeping her opponents on edge,” Fiftal said. “Frankly, I’m glad I didn’t have to play against her! I love hitting groundstrokes from the baseline and am happy to hit crosscourt for days, hopefully setting Danielle up to end points at the net. That being said, I think my net game and her baseline game have both improved recently, and they were big factors in our toughest matches.”

Those tough matches specifically came at the business end of the tournament. In the semifinal, the Eastern pair found themselves down a set and a break against a duo from USTA Midwest.

“During that match we had a moment where we thought the end was near, and we both agreed, ‘Let’s just play our game and have fun,’” Morgan recalled. “I think this mentality allowed us to relax and loosen up.”

Playing more freely, Fiftal and Morgan began to connect on their shots. They reeled off six of the next seven games, notching a comeback win and keeping their dreams of a title alive.

“We really locked in with a renewed intensity, taking it one point at a time,” Morgan said of the victory. “It was so intense that I thought we had more to play! Nicole had to convince me that we had in fact won the match!”

Of course, the pair didn't get much time to celebrate. With an incoming storm heading for Pelham, officials scheduled the Sunday final for Saturday night, mere hours after the team scored the semifinal win. Again, the Eastern pair found themselves fighting from behind in what became their third match of the day, dropping the first set to their opponents from USTA Florida in a tight tiebreak. The duo would then squeak by in the second to even the score with a tiebreak win of their own.

Still, after the dramatics of their victory over USTA Midwest, “we knew the score didn’t matter,” Fiftal said. “We were genuinely so happy to be in Alabama playing such fun, competitive tennis. Our mantra the entire final was, ‘This is so freaking fun.’ And it was! We felt free to play bold. I think our third set in the finals was the best we played all tournament.”

It was the perfect time to play their best, as the Westchester-based pair ended up leaving Pelham with the championship trophy in tow.

“Winning the national title solidified how hard we both have been working to improve our tennis game, individually and as a team,” Morgan said. “We feel fortunate that we were able to accomplish this competitive goal and experience many successes and learning opportunities along the way. Although we're not 18 anymore, the sky is still the limit!”

Fiftal echoed that sentiment.

“We faced some seriously solid teams, especially in the semifinals and finals, and we had to strategize to win some long points and matches,” she said. “It was so satisfying, feeling like all the practice we have put in made a difference. We both have three kids at home, and their excitement of seeing us win was also so fulfilling. They got to see us work hard for something and achieve it, and I hope they walk away inspired knowing that they can do that too in whatever they choose to do!”

Full 2024 NTRP Championship draws and results:

18 & Over Singles

40 & Over Singles

55 & Over Singles

18 & Over Doubles

40 & Over Doubles

55 & Over Doubles

18 & Over Mixed Doubles