Veazey wins tennis singles for Jackson Christian

Jackson Christian sophomore Jack Veazey plays pretty regularly in United States Tennessee Association tournaments – almost every other weekend.

So playing in Spring Fling last week in the Division II-A singles championships and winning three matches in about 24 hours isn’t out of the ordinary for him.

But when he got to the championship round of the tournament, he was in a spot he hadn’t been in all year – trying to beat an opponent he’d lost to the last time they played.

“I had a perfect record this year until we got to the region championship,” Veazey said.

He started off slowly in the quarterfinals against Jonah Weber, a junior from King’s Academy in Knoxville. Veazey won in straight sets, 6-4, 6-1.

“I had a hard time getting going in that first match, but once I got going, I felt good,” Veazey said about the first match of the three.

Veazey made quick work of University School of Nashville sophomore Saawan Duvvuri as he won 6-4, 6-1.

That semifinal win came a few hours after the quarterfinal win as both rounds are played on the same day in Murfreesboro each year.

There were a couple of weather delays before all outdoor matches were eventually moved indoors. But that was OK with Veazey.

“I actually play better inside because balls move faster, and my timing is usually better,” Veazey said. “We had about a 40-minute delay in there too, and I appreciate Coach Scott Lochridge helping me stay focused and keeping my head in the game the whole time.”

After winning the semifinals, Veazey matched up with Lausanne junior Sathvik Nath. Not only was Nath the one who handed Veazey a loss in the region championship, but they’re also pretty good friends on the USTA tour who have ridden together to tournaments, played together as partners in doubles tournaments and have met a few times in different tournaments.

Veazey admits he didn’t bring his best game to the regional championship and often put serves in the wrong place, essentially sending them to Nath where he wanted them instead of forcing him to have to work all over the court.

“I worked all week after the regionals on my hitting angles,” Veazey said. “Because I was sure – even hopeful – that If I made the championship, I would probably be lined up against him.”

That hitting work did what it was supposed to as Veazey dominated the championship, winning it 6-0, 6-2.

“Winning the state championship felt great because I was glad to do it for myself, my family, my dad who coaches me in tennis and for my school,” Veazey said.

Veazey will continue playing in tournaments throughout the summer all over the South as he tries to continue to improve himself and his ranking in the USTA.

Brandon Shields, brandon@jacksonpost.news