Feb. 1, 2018
By Zac Ellis
VUCommodores.com
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – While on the grounds at Melbourne Park at the Australian Open last month, Vanderbilt tennis senior Astra Sharma often had to pinch herself. The opportunity to compete in her first-career Grand Slam was one thing; mingling with tennis legends was another experience entirely.
One afternoon, Sharma, who competed in women’s doubles at the Open, shared a golf cart with Marin ÄŒilić, the talented Croatian who later fell to Roger Federer in the tournament final. Hours later, Sharma found herself enjoying a quick chat with 16-time Grand Slam winner Rafael Nadal.
Playing in a pro tournament was nothing new to Sharma. But she knew a Grand Slam was different.
“I was definitely nervous at times,” Sharma said. “It’s a big deal to play in a Grand Slam, and I was fully aware of that. I tried to keep it very low-key the whole tournament, but there’s definitely a sense of awe.”
Sharma and her doubles partner, former Florida Gator Belinda Woolcock, fell to the tournament’s 12th-seeded pairing of Raquel Atawo/Anna-Lena Groenefeld, 7-6(2), 6-3 at the Australian Open. But the match’s result was less important than the experience Sharma gained in her first Grand Slam – all while competing in front of friends and family in her home country. Vanderbilt head coach Geoff Macdonald also ventured all the way to Melbourne to watch his rising senior compete.
Talk about RooTube!
RT if you’re watching your reigning @SEC Player of the Year! #AusOpen pic.twitter.com/GEKFFWOyc0
— Vandy Women’s Tennis (@Vandywtennis) January 17, 2018
Now, the reigning SEC Player of the Year hopes to carry that unique experience into her senior season at Vanderbilt. In 2017, Sharma helped lead the Commodores to SEC regular-season and tournament titles and an NCAA Final Four appearance. The Perth, Australia native was a freshman on Vanderbilt’s 2015 team that captured the NCAA championship, as well.
Despite those accolades, Sharma says her Vanderbilt story remains unfinished.
“The way I look at it is, I’ll always have those accomplishments,” Sharma said. “Nothing’s going to take that away from me. But I can always add to them, so why not try to do it all again? It doesn’t feel at all like I’ve done everything I can.”
Sharma is one of several key pieces for the Commodores returning in 2018 as they look to defend their SEC championship. She joins junior Fernanda Contreras and Emily Smith and sophomore Christina Rosca, all of whom earned All-SEC recognition in 2017. Last year, Sharma became just the fourth Vanderbilt tennis player to earn SEC Player of the Year and also garnered singles and doubles All-American honors. She capped her junior season tying a career-high ranking of No. 2 in the final ITA list and was 32-8 overall in singles — including 24-6 versus ranked opponents — alongside a 93-27-career record.
Last week, Sharma and Vanderbilt secured a spot at National Team Indoors with a 4-1 win over Florida State at the Currey Tennis Center. The redshirt senior clinched the match by topping the Seminoles’ Carla Touly, 6-3, 7-5. This Friday and Saturday, Sharma and the second-ranked Commodores host No. 16 Baylor and No. 1 Stanford for a pair of huge matches in Nashville.
Vanderbilt associate head coach Aleke Tsoubanos said Sharma’s experience in the SEC shows itself during marquee matchups.
“In terms of leadership, Astra has probably contributed the most in terms of match play of anyone that’s been here this year,” Tsoubanos said. “This spring will be about continued development, really good match play, a lot of match volume. She’ll compete in some pro events apart from the team and keep building her ranking up. It will be huge having her back.”
Sharma said the Australian Open reminded her of the depth of the SEC: anyone can win in any given match. That’s why she continues to hone her own game with Macdonald and Tsoubanos.
To Sharma, her career is far from finished at Vanderbilt.
“It’s those little things that should make a big difference,” Sharma said. “I’ve talked to Coach Macdonald a lot, and we know there’s still a world of potential that I could develop on.”
Zac Ellis is the Writer and Digital Media Editor for Vanderbilt Athletics.
