You may have heard her name, but with so many successful runs made by young Americans on the WTA Tour this summer, Irina Falconi’s breakout year may have been lost in the shuffle. The 21-year-old, Ecuador-born American has made huge strides in her first full year on the Tour, and is set on continuing her rise in the rankings.
At 5’4’’, the diminutive yet energetic Falconi made headlines this summer with a win over Russian veteran, Nadia Petrova, at the inaugural Citi Open championships in Maryland. The American continued her successful run by reaching the third round of the U.S. Open, after upsetting 14th seed Dominika Cibulkova of Slovakia in the second round, in front of a packed Arthur Ashe stadium.
Her performance on the big stage was no surprise to her coach, Jeff Wilson.
“She really values situations that she’s in,” said Wilson. “When she gets an opportunity on a bigger level, she is never concerned about being nervous. She excels on the big stage because she doesn’t get nervous.”
A Special Bond
Just one year ago, Falconi was playing collegiate tennis at Georgia Tech. After two stellar seasons at the collegiate level, where she earned two All-American honors, and was named the 2010 NCAA Player of the Year, Falconi made the decision to turn pro. For Falconi, that decision was made easier by having one of her greatest supporters, Coach Wilson, make the leap with her. Wilson started as a full-time volunteer assistant tennis coach for Georgia Tech in the late 1990s. Since meeting Falconi, the two have developed a bond that more closely resembles family than a typical coach and tennis player relationship.
“She really trusts in her team to put her in a position to have success,” said Wilson. “I can’t remember a time that I’ve needed to motivate her to go after it. Irina and I collaborate extremely well.”
Falconi agrees.
“I just have so much belief and faith that he knows what’s best for me and my game and how to make me not only the best player but the best person I can be, on and off the court,” she added. “It’s a great friendship.”
Representing Team USA
Falconi winning gold at the Pan Am Games. Photo credit: MARTIN BERNETTI/AFP/Getty Images
Perhaps the most significant accomplishment of Falconi’s pro tennis career took place on one of the most pressure-filled stages: The Pan American Games, where Falconi, who always keeps an American flag in her tennis bag, made the most of her opportunity to play for her country, and brought home a gold medal.
“When the director was putting the medal around my neck, there was a feeling of euphoria,” said Falconi. “There is no better feeling than winning a medal for your country and to represent your country in a fashion where you’ve actually made history. It was awesome.”
Falconi absolutely cherishes her opportunity to play for Team USA and enjoys the team atmosphere, which is quite a change from the solidarity often found in professional tennis.
“I think for tennis players, Grand Slams are wonderful, but Fed Cup, the Olympics, and Pan-Am Games are all very important events where you represent your country,” she said. “You’re surrounded by other athletes who have the same goal as you and there’s no bigger event.”
With her sights set on the upcoming 2012 London Olympics, Falconi is on a mission to improve her ranking enough to qualify. Players must be in the top 56 in the world, or be one of the top four ranked Americans by June 11th of 2012 to be eligible for play. Falconi reached a career high of No. 73 in October of this year, and is currently ranked No. 85.
In order to reach her goal of representing the United States in London next summer, Falconi and her team plan on putting in a lot of hours in the gym during this off season.
“She’ll do some Pro-Am type of things, but not too much of that,” said Wilson. “She’s just going to invest in the gym and invest in getting stronger and get prepared for December 26th when we head to New Zealand [in preparation for the Auckland Classic.]”
What’s Next?
When her 2011 season officially concluded at the $75,000 ITF challenger event in Phoenix, AZ, Falconi took some time to reflect on her success from this past year.
“I’ve learned how to travel really well, how to travel light and how to really stock up on sky miles on every airline,” she said with a laugh. “I grew up a lot, with all the traveling and the experiences I had this year. But it wasn’t difficult. I just really enjoyed my time. I’ve been enjoying every second of it.”
In just one season, both player and coach have exceeded their expectations they set out for in 2011. At the end of 2010, Falconi was ranked No. 217, but she now sits inside the top 90 as the fifth ranked American. Next year, Falconi will face the true test of sustaining the momentum and success she experienced in 2011, and breaking into the top 50.
Without question, Irina Falconi is in position for even more impressive results in 2012. Chances are, it will be hard to miss the high-flying Falconi. With her coach Jeff Wilson by her side, she is poised to take her game to the next level.
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Kelyn Soong is a freelance tennis writer and photographer. His work has appeared in Voice of America, USTA/Mid-Atlantic, USTA/Maryland, the Mid-Atlantic Match Point Magazine, SB Nation, and tennisgrandstand.com. To view his work, visit his website at: http://kelynsoong.blogspot.com.
