Auburn Tigers Bolster Women's Tennis Roster with Powerhouse Additions

The Auburn University women's tennis team has made a significant move to strengthen its roster for the 2024-25 season. Head coach Jordan Szabo has announced the addition of two highly talented players, Alice Battesti and Ava Hrastar, who are poised to make an immediate impact on the Tigers' program.

Elevating the Tigers' Game: A Transformative Roster Expansion

Welcoming a French Phenom: Alice Battesti

Alice Battesti, a rising star from France, joins the Auburn Tigers after an impressive collegiate career at the University of Bordeaux. Battesti's impressive resume includes winning the 2023 French U18 Vice Championship and the French University Tennis Championship earlier this year. Prior to her collegiate success, she dominated the junior circuit, claiming the Corsica Tennis Championship junior title in 2018, 2019, 2020, and 2021, as well as the adult and junior titles in 2022 and 2023.Battesti's versatility extends beyond the tennis court, as she has excelled in a variety of sports, including soccer, handball, basketball, ping-pong, and swimming. This well-rounded athletic background is expected to contribute to her adaptability and competitive edge on the collegiate stage.

Introducing a Seasoned College Tennis Veteran: Ava Hrastar

Ava Hrastar, a transfer from Ole Miss, brings a wealth of experience and accolades to the Auburn Tigers. Hrastar began her collegiate career at Georgia Tech, where she compiled an impressive 35-23 overall singles record and a 38-24 overall doubles record in three seasons. Her standout performances earned her ITA Doubles All-American honors in 2022 after she qualified for the quarterfinals of the NCAA Doubles Championship.After a successful stint at Georgia Tech, Hrastar joined the Ole Miss team for the 2023-24 season, where she continued to excel. She posted a 14-14 overall record in singles and a 13-16 overall record in doubles, primarily competing at the top of the Rebels' singles and doubles lineups. Hrastar's partnership with Briana Crowley resulted in a No. 65 national ranking in doubles, while she also earned a No. 108 singles ranking.

Elevating the Tigers' Aspirations: Coach Szabo's Perspective

Head coach Jordan Szabo expressed his enthusiasm about the additions of Battesti and Hrastar, stating, "I am thrilled to have Alice and Ava join us for this new era of Auburn women's tennis. Alice is one of the best players in France, and Ava is one of the best players in college tennis. They both have big goals with their tennis, and I am grateful that they have chosen us to guide them on their tennis journey. We will do everything we can to help them improve and take Auburn to new heights."The arrival of these two talented players, coupled with the previous signings of Merna Refaat and Emma Tothová, signals a significant shift in the Tigers' roster and their aspirations for the upcoming season. As the team prepares to kick off its fall schedule at the Debbie Southern Fall Classic on September 13th, the Auburn faithful eagerly anticipate the impact these new additions will have on the program's trajectory.