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As the school year comes to an end, junior players across the country are putting their free time to good use by getting out on the court. We checked in with a few players heading into the summer with positive momentum for this month’s Hot 100.

Madeline Fidel (Wheaton, Illinois)

Two-star rising senior Madeline Fidel has had a challenging last year of tennis. Last summer, she suffered an injury that took her out of the game in one of the best times of the year.

Rising Senior Madeline Fidel

She made a full recovery but took time off from USTA tournaments to play for her high school tennis team at Wheaton North High School. When Fidel returned to competitive tournament play, she was ready.

“I have started to travel to some high level tournaments and have had some positive results against quality players,” she said.

Last month, Fidel competed in two USTA events. One was a national event in Midlothian, Virginia, where she reached the third round of the consolations. The other was the USTA Memorial Day Tournament in Okemos, Michigan, where she reached the quarterfinals.

Also in May, Fidel won the A. C. Nielson Girls Championship in Winnetka, Illinois. Her good play launched her up nearly 50 spots on the College Recruiting Lists.

Fidel and her coach, Marcy Hendricks of Five Star Tennis Academy, are currently working on Fidel’s overall game.

“I go for a lot of winners, and we are working to set up those shots and improve my shot selection,” Fidel said. “[Hendricks] has me hitting with a lot of highly-ranked players, so the level of tennis continues to get better.”

Fidel considers herself to be an aggressive baseliner. “I have a high percentage of winners, and I am able to control the point very well,” she said. “My forehand is my biggest strength, and I use it to hit many down-the-line winners.”

Although tennis is a priority for Fidel, it is important to her that she has a life outside of the sport.

“She has made sure she has lots of interests outside of tennis,” her parents, Erik Fidel and Helen Raymond, said. “She travels often, hangs out with friends, and attends a public school. Tennis is a big part of her life, but we have not made too many compromises.”

Fidel prioritizes school, where she excels in math and science, and loves learning about other places.

“I really like to travel and have developed a lot of knowledge about geography and world cultures,” she said. “I also enjoy drawing and do that in my free time.”