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Natasha Rajaram had never played in the USTA National Clay Court Championships. The rising junior blue chip doesn’t have much opportunity to train on clay near her hometown in Northern California.

But Rajaram was playing an L2 event in Chattanooga, Tennessee a week before this year’s USTA Girls 16s Clays was scheduled to take place in nearby Huntsville, Alabama.

Singles Champion Natasha Rajaram
© Contributed Photo

She knew she would have time to adjust to the humidity in the South and get a few extra practice days on the clay before the tournament began.

The strategy worked to perfection.

Top-seeded Rajaram defeated unseeded Katie Spencer of Orlando, Florida 6-3, 6-2 in the final at Athletic Club Alabama to capture the first gold ball of her career.

“It was incredible. Because it’s my first gold ball, it makes it so much more special,” said Rajaram, a Cupertino native who has two silver balls and a bronze ball in doubles. “Honestly, just the overall experience of playing with such incredible people was great. I have to thank my opponents for that.”