2024 Texas Slam Champs Reflect

Hamilton lost her first qualifying match but valued the experience. "The girl was pretty good, strong, and I think she was very experienced," she said. A unique challenge arose off-court: "I didn't know very many girls there... I couldn't find someone to hit with, so I ended up going to a public park and warmed up against the wall." Still, "the highlight was honestly just getting the opportunity to play there."

Quattro navigated two qualifying rounds successfully before falling in a tight three-setter in the main draw against a much older opponent. "I was playing really well the whole week so I can't complain," he said. "One of the most challenging parts for me was the physical aspect of it. Playing the older players who had more strength and more experience than me." The highlight? "Qualifying for the main draw. I didn't have the highest expectations... but when I saw my draw, I thought to myself that I had a pretty good chance."

The professional environment itself was distinct. "You could really see all the courts since it's like a college setup," Hamilton observed about the Austin event. "You could kind of feel the energy from the other players as well."

Quattro noted the officiating difference: "They had a chair and line calls on every match. That was a big experience for me... I thought it was pretty cool because I didn't have to call my own lines. It took pressure away from me knowing that it's not in my control." Both found the proximity and audible celebrations of other matches more energizing than distracting.

Playing as underdogs in the pro events paradoxically eased the pressure. "I felt like it actually took some pressure off of me just so I could go out there and try my best," Hamilton explained. Quattro agreed: "It almost took all the pressure off me to go out there and just play to the best of my ability."

Mental resilience is paramount. Hamilton emphasized letting go of errors: "The biggest thing is just being able to move on, play the next point as if nothing ever happened." Quattro advised focusing inward: "Worrying about yourself and what you're doing out there instead of focusing on things outside of the court."

Their paths diverge slightly now. Hamilton started college last January at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, attending on a full athletic scholarship. "I get everything that I could possibly need. I am really excited!" she shared. Quattro, still navigating his junior year, has verbally committed to play for Texas A&M University after graduation.

Both harbor dreams of professional careers. "I hope one day I can play professional tennis and be in the top 100," Hamilton said. Quattro aims for the same echelon, wanting to "make a living playing the best sport."

Their advice reflects their journeys. Quattro urged parents: "Try not to get caught up if your kid loses a match... there's always another tennis match to be played." Hamilton stressed self-belief: "If you don't believe that you can win the match then there's no way you're going to win... You have to believe in yourself and understand that every person's path is different."

For Hamilton and Quattro, last year was a significant chapter – a blend of junior triumphs, professional exposure, and invaluable experience that fuels their ambitious journeys ahead.

Registration for the 2025 Texas Slam in Plano is open until May 22, 2025. The tournament will be held June 13-22, 2025.