IN a remarkable display of talent and determination Jamaica’s teenage tennis sensation Alyssa James is setting her sights on securing a coveted spot in the top 100 of the ITF junior singles rankings next year.

The aspiring young athlete enjoyed an outstanding year, clinching both singles and doubles titles at the ITF championships held last month at Eric Bell Tennis Centre in Kingston.

Although Alyssa was the runner-up in the ITF Under-18 singles tournament in Salvador, Brazil, she teamed up with Maria Bovio from Argentina to secure victory in the doubles event.

The 15-year-old’s impressive achievements at the international level have not gone unnoticed, catapulting her into the spotlight as a rising star in junior tennis and making her the top female tennis player in Jamaica.

The talented player’s dedication and hard work were evident as she triumphed in both the singles and doubles categories, a striking display of her prowess on the court.

“I am feeling good about my recent performance because I have been working really hard on the court and in the gym, and it has been paying off for me,” said Alyssa.

“I am playing at a very high level right now and I am confident. The goal right now is to get into the top 100 in the ITF junior rankings next year and just take it from there and see how far I can go.

“However, in order for me to achieve this I will just have to continue to work very hard and stay consistent with practices and fitness,” she added.

Alyssa stated that this year has been her best on the court and she plans to work a lot harder on improving her all-around game.

“I think that this year has been very incredible for me because I have been playing well and getting a lot more confident on the court and also more confident in stroke play all-around,” James noted.

“It feels great to win back-to-back tournaments, and I know that I am playing at a very high level right now so it can only be up from here for me,” she went on.

Marcus James, Alyssa’s father and a significant influence on her tennis journey, expressed immense pride in his daughter’s accomplishments. He believes that with their dedicated efforts and unwavering commitment the sky is now the limit for Alyssa.

“I am feeling good about her performances so far because it has been a long journey and there is still a long way to go,” said James.

“She has been training hard. She is very focused, very disciplined, and she is getting the results — and I am happy for her. So let’s hope that she continues on that path, and I think the future looks very bright for her,” he added.

Alyssa’s success at the ITF championships has not only brought joy to her and her family but has also fuelled her ambition to climb higher in the rankings. As she sets her sights on the ITF top 100 in junior singles, she continues to hone her skills to ultimately arrive at a point where she can further impact the game in Jamaica.

“I definitely think she can become the top female tennis player in the world because she has displayed her potential from a very young age. When she was eight and nine she won big international tournaments for that age group, and what I like with Alyssa is she always has fun on the court and she works hard at it,” the elder James said.