Mustang Ashley Bongart makes debut as a pro

Lakewood Ranch High junior Ashley Bongart competed in the quarterfinals of the 2014 Sarasota Open April 17.

Bongart fell to Ingrid Neel, who trains with Hall of Fame inductee Nick Bollettieri at IMG Academy, 6-3, 6-2. Seven of those lost points came in games during which Bongart was leading 30-0 or 40-15.

The Sarasota Open, a USTA Pro Circuit event, was Bongart’s first professional tennis tournament.

Here are Bongart’s thoughts following her first professional tennis experience.

What was your overall impression of the Sarasota Open?
I thought it was very well done. They had a lot of great players there. I watched a couple of great matches on the men’s side, and I thought, overall, it was a very high-level tournament.

What was your day like the day of the quarterfinals?
I hit with my coach at 9:30 a.m. We hit for about 30 minutes. We got (to the tournament) around 11:30. I had some lunch and watched some of the matches. Then, we hit again for 30 minutes before my match at 1 p.m.

What did you eat?
For breakfast I had a bagel, strawberries and watermelon, and for lunch I had a turkey sandwich. I can’t really eat when I’m hot and sweating. I play a lot of girls who eat in between, but I just never really did that. I’ve tried, but I always forget about it. I usually eat right before and right after.

What was the biggest piece of advice your coach gave you?
He said to just play my game and start off strong. He told me to keep my intensity up because sometimes when I play matches, I get lazy and just walk around.

Overall, how do you think you did?
I think I did well. It was a good learning experience. I played Ingrid Neel, and she’s a tough player. I’ve never played anyone with her style before. So it was a good experience to know what to do against that and what I still need to work on.

What makes Ingrid Neel such a tough player?
Normally, girls don’t come to the net as much as she does. Any chance she got, she would go to the net. Her volleys were amazing. She did really good defending up there and (leading) where my ball was going to go.

What’s the biggest thing you learned from playing in your first professional tennis tournament?
I’ve learned what I need to do to take the next step in my game. I need to be better in transition moving forward. I need to get stronger. Comparing myself to the other girls that were there, that’s where I learned I’m weaker.

How did the Sarasota Open compare to your initial expectations?
I thought it was pretty much what I thought it was going to be going into it. I knew the girls would be tougher than the girls I play in junior tournaments. I did expect that. I think the atmosphere was different. I don’t know if it was bad. I was definitely a little nervous, but, next time, I won’t be as nervous and those factors won’t bother me as much. It’s kind of different having spectators there. It was cool.

What tournaments do you have planned for the summer?
I’m planning some college tournaments — ITA tournaments, which allow college and junior players to compete in the summer. I’ve also got Super Nationals this summer. I’m not sure what specifically I have next, but I know I have those for the future.

How did playing in the Sarasota Open prepare you for some of those college tournaments and eventually college tennis?
I guess it prepares me with how I need to improve. These girls on the professional (circuit) are kind of like how the college girls are and how they play. It’s more serious. I need to be prepared for a higher level of play, I guess.

Contact Jen Blanco at [email protected]