12-Year-Old Plays 18s Advanced

competitors up to six years older

By Bekah Harris, USTA Southern

It might be intimidating playing someone 5-6 years older than you in Jr. Team Tennis, but Rachel Harden is embracing the experience. She is only 12-years-old and playing for South Carolina’s 18s advanced team.

Harden was expecting to play with a 14s team but, with too few players, the team wasn’t formed. She was then invited to play for South Carolina and even though she knew the competition would get much harder, she accepted.

Harden says she has had a good experience so far because of the new challenges in the 18s advanced. She said, “I like the different ball you get in 18 advanced.”

Ranked No. 29 in the Southern section and No. 109 nationally in the 12s division, Harden has improved quickly since she started playing at aged 6. Although all her teammates are all four to five years older than her and have played longer, she is able to more than keep up on the court with solid shots and a great attitude.

But Harden isn’t the only one on her team playing up; there are several 16-year-olds on the team.

They also lost half their players after their state championships due to college schedules. Since older teammates had to leave, the younger members including Harden have had to step up and fill in for them.

It is a unique experience for a 12-year-old to have and Harden is enjoying every challenge and moment.