It only takes a moment to impact the lives of others. For Marina Giral, it was 4 months of moments. Marina came to ATA in October when her family relocated to the Austin area, and last week, she moved to Spain. When you talk to those at ATA who spent time around her, the sentiments are the same: a quick smile / cared for every person she encountered / a great role model and leader / simply a genuine girl. It is telling, when those who got to know a pro tennis player at a tennis academy, speak only of her qualities as a person.

 

Below is the writing of Ali and Sydney Young. They were two of many whose lives were touched by their time with Marina.  Below that, please find a note from Ms. Giral to the ATA community. From everyone at ATA, we wish you all the best, and look forward to seeing you around ATA again soon.

 

Marina:

Last June was the first time the ATA family had the privilege of meeting Marina Giral.  She was a professional tennis player from Venezuela who came to the ATA for just one week during the summer to train.  It was amazing how much of an impact she could make in such a short period of time.  She lifted the intensity of practice, befriended all of the players, and showed an enormous amount of respect for the coaches.  We were all very sad to see her go after that one week of summer camp. 

To our pleasure, she was back the following October to train in the Academy program and decide whether to stay a professional tennis player or go to college.  She was an amazing addition to our program. 

When she arrived at practice, she greeted everyone with a smile, helped out with Junior Academy, Junior Development, and LTYA whenever possible, and worked with Mrs. Hagar, the coaches, and her family to choose her path in life. 

Marina was a leader and a mentor to many of the younger kids.  She earned the respect and love of the ATA family.  She is one of the nicest and most caring people you will ever meet and she has touched the lives of each and every ATA player, coach, and member of the community. 

She has decided to continue on the professional career path and travel to Spain to live and train.  She has touched my life personally by being a great role model, mentor, and friend.  Thank you for everything you have contributed to the ATA program as a tennis player and a person.  You truly embody the ATA motto of achieving success through your character and tennis.  We love you, Marina, and we know you will achieve excellence wherever you go and whatever you do.  Keep us in your hearts because you will always be in ours.

By: Ali and Sydney Young

Dear ATA,



 

I wanted to express to all of you how thankful I am for giving me the opportunity to become a part of such a special place.



 

My time at ATA was a continuous learning experience. During the months I spent at the academy, I acquired a great deal of tools that helped me improve not only as a player, but as a person. 



 

Something I really enjoyed was helping coach the JD program and to travel to tournaments with Academy Players. This experience gave me a better understanding of the game, by watching tennis from a different point of view and it also gave me a great appreciation for the amount of patience and dedication it requires to be a coach. 



 

It only took me a few days to get to know all the players, coaching staff, and to realize how they are all committed to the sport, to school and to every project they have in mind. It was very special to notice the will and solidarity they all have to help others in need. I truly have never seen an academy that makes such a huge emphasis in respect, discipline, but most importantly, human values.

 



I was very lucky to be surrounded with such beautiful and inspirational people, and it was through each and everyone at ATA that I found the strength I needed to keep going. ATA has been the light that guided me through a dark stage in my life, and opened the path for me to continue with my professional tennis career, and for that, I will be forever grateful.

I am currently at Valencia, Spain. I am doing a tough 4-week training period before beginning to compete in my first ITF Pro tournament of the year. I will be heading back to Austin in May to keep up with my training's at the Academy and continuing to play pro tournaments around the US.



 

Wishing you all the best and looking forward to seeing you all soon!



 

Yours truly, 


 

Marina