Centercourt Instructors
My favorite sports memory/moment/event is.... when we won the Big West Conference championship in 2019. I was a Division I student-athlete at Long Beach State University, and it was during my sophomore year. I got to be part of an incredible team and I will forever cherish the moment we lifted the trophy. The best part was knowing that I contributed to the team’s win with my singles and doubles victories. The tournament was held at Indian Wells and the atmosphere combined with the championship win is an unforgettable memory. Coming to the United States to pursue my tennis as well as academic career was something I never expected. Turns out, it was the best thing that ever happened to me. I learned the true meaning of playing for something greater than myself. Over the years, I had the opportunity to be a part of incredibly diverse teams. Being a student-athlete gave me a sense of belonging and has helped me grow personally and professionally.
Coach Devarakonda completed her masters in sport management at St. John’s University, where she played number 1 singles and doubles. She was awarded 2x as the Singles Player of the Week; 2x Doubles Team of the Week; Academic All-Star; and was a 3x ITA Scholar-Athlete.
Coach Devarakonda believes that coaching is primarily about player development, both on and off the court. Every player is different, so coaching needs to be tailored to their needs. Coach Devarakonda is a firm believer that having a strong work ethic and passion for the sport goes a long way in succeeding in tennis, but emphasizes that tennis is a sport, and sports are supposed to be fun!