Tennis, Always.
Peyton (R) and Preston Stearns | Kenwood Country Club, Cincinnati

Tennis, Always.

Peyton Stearns has been versatile in many sports activities her entire life – but none have a more special place in her heart than the wonderful game of tennis. As tennis lovers get ready for Cincinnati’s Western & Southern Open this weekend, let us turn our attention to our own backyard, (and our club tennis courts) to Peyton Stearns, daughter of Kenwood CC Members, Mike & Denise Stearns. Peyton will be making her debut at the W&S Open event as a wildcard this weekend.

Since the age of two years, gymnastics dominated Peyton’s active childhood, until about the age of 8, when tennis entered her life. Always active, she participated in a variety of other sports, including soccer, swimming, and track, but always came back to tennis. Always. From a little girl playing on the courts at Xavier University, to having now played the courts of all four Junior Grand Slam tennis events, Peyton consistently has never stopped moving in the game of tennis, and continues to dominate at her favorite aspect, to “hit the ball hard.” This she will continue to do as she now plays on the Women’s Team at The University of Texas at Austin. The team won the 2021 NCAA D1 Tennis Championship at the Orlando USTA Headquarters, where Peyton led the Longhorns playing the #1 singles and #3 doubles the entire season and led the team to a new school record of 31-1. This is the 3rd NCAA tennis title for the team, last one in 1995. Peyton received the tournament’s MVP award and selected for all tournament team #1 singles and #3 doubles… She was also selected as “BIG 12 Freshman of the Year.”

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Photo courtesy University of Texas at Austin        

How Peyton got to play for a top University is partly the power of her stroke and long list of stats, including having played in all four tennis Grand Slam events: the Australian Open, French Open, Wimbledon, and U.S. Open. But there’s so much behind the numbers by her name that add to her accomplishments – just as there is more than meets the eye to the game of tennis, a game for lifelong enjoyment. Besides her coaches and trainers, it is the strength of her will and the support of her family which also play a large part in her success. These constants keep her working hard every day. Her younger brother, Preston, an accomplished player himself, recently collected a prestigious Bronze Ball at the USTA National Clay Court Doubles Championships in the Boys 18 and unders; he was Peyton’s constant tennis hitting partner during quarantine spring of 2020. Outside of practicing, it is her family whom she loves spending time with, whether playing tennis, biking on the Loveland Trail, or going on vacation. When Peyton travels for tournament play, her family goes with her as much as possible, all around the globe. And for all the places Peyton has traveled, whether for tennis or relaxation, what makes her happy at home in Cincinnati are the clay courts here at Kenwood County Club.

“The courts are watered perfectly. There are no ‘bad’ bounces, never too low or too high for the tennis ball. I love the slide.”

Peyton continues to work hard, on both her best and worst days, staying physically as well as mentally strong. A tennis match result she is most proud of is actually not one where she won, but where she learned how to overcome a tough challenge. She played in the 11th longest match in the Bethany Beach Pro Tournament, lasting 4 hours and 15 minutes; although she lost that match, she kept pushing herself through, with the close ending score of 7-5, 6-7, 5-7. On that achievement, and to junior tennis players, Peyton says:

“Keep working hard every day. Push through your worst days, because those are your best days later on.”

Thank you for the inspiring words, Peyton. Good luck in your tennis career, we look forward to seeing you play at Western & Southern Open!


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