Barksdale returns to junior tennis event in San Diego

As the daughter of a tennis coach, Kaila Barksdale has been open to fatherly advice since she started playing the game.

Nine years ago, the only child of Keith Barksdale competed in her first tournament at age 8 at the Barnes Tennis Center, known for promoting youth play.

Now the Westview High senior-to-be is set to return there in the top age division of the USTA Billie Jean King 16s and 18s National Championships in hard-court play, which began Wednesday and runs through Aug. 15.

“At the beginning, it was more for fun when I was super, super young,” said Kaila, who first picked up a racket at age 3. “It’s just been a fun experience growing up, especially with my dad as my coach. As we’ve grown more serious at the sport, my game has grown and gotten a lot better.”

Kaila, who turned 17 on May 22, enters the tourney with the long-term target of playing Division I college tennis starting next year and then testing the entry level of the pro ranks.

“Her strength is her will to win,” said Keith, who has coached in the prep ranks at Mar Vista, Torrey Pines and Escondido Charter. “She’s very determined, and she’s a hard worker. On the court, she’s very consistent and never gives up. She always fights to the last point.”

Like father, like daughter in that regard.

“My dad always tells me to keep fighting, that it’s never over,” said Kaila, a 5-foot-6 right-hander, known for a strong backhand. “To never give up because you never know what can happen.”

Kaila first appeared in this tourney in the 16s two years ago when she reached the second round in the 256-player draw and later played three consolation matches. Last summer, the event was canceled because of the pandemic.

“It’s a great tournament and just a great experience being out there with all those great players,” said Kaila, who was ranked sixth in Southern California and 56th nationally among the 18s in late July. “I’ll have more experience this time around. Hopefully, I can advance further.”

By her account, Kaila returns with an improved overall game and stronger serve while keeping her longtime style as an aggressive baseline player.

Such skills were in evidence in prep play when Kaila repeated as the San Diego Section singles champion last spring. She prevailed over Otay Ranch sophomore Arianne Pepa 6-2, 6-3 in the final.

Kaila won her first section title the previous school year in the fall, when the girls tennis season is usually contested. Then she expected to be “one-and-done” and turn to junior competition exclusively, but when the pandemic delayed last season until the spring, the timing proved right coming off a slowdown in tournament competition.

Whether Kaila returns to prep play this fall is still to be determined. If so, she would be in position to become the first three-time champion since future pro Alexandria Stevenson, of La Jolla Country Day, in 1995-97.

The pandemic didn’t slow Kaila’s training much as she and her father searched for open courts, often at community parks. Typically, she practices five times a week on the court along with doing other workouts.

Kaila notes that she’s looking forward to returning to in-person classes at Westview after a year of mostly online learning. Also, she’s looking at her college possibilities with a Pac-12 school a likely destination.

It’s a route being paved by her long-held love of the game.

“There’s just the motivation to just advancing and growing as a player,” Kaila said. “Especially with my dad as my coach, I feel that gives me more support. It keeps me going.”

USTA Billie Jean King Girls 18s and 16s

National Championships

When: 16s, ends Aug. 11, and 18s, Sunday-Aug. 15. Singles finals at 1 p.m. on concluding day of each division.

Where: Barnes Tennis Center in Point Loma, main site, and Balboa Tennis Club, satellite location (through Tuesday).

Brackets: Both divisions include 256 singles players and 128 doubles teams.

Local watch: Katherine Hui (San Diego) and Midori Castillo (Bonita) are entered in the tourney for the third straight time with a move up to the 18s this year. Also joining the 18s are Kaila Barksdale (San Diego), Katie Codd (Carlsbad) and Winta Woldeab (La Mesa) in repeat tourney appearances. Tourney newcomers include Asha Gidwani (San Diego) and Antonia Pareja (Carlsbad). In the 16s, due to play are Alyssa Ahn (San Diego), Emily Deming (Fallbrook), Claire Zhang (San Diego), and Elena Zhao (San Diego). Zhao, born in 2008, is the youngest local player in the field.

Comeback: The tournament returns after being canceled last year due to the pandemic.

Spectators: Admission and parking are free.

Top prize: The 18s champion receives a spot in this year’s U.S. Open women’s draw.

Recent grads: Sofia Kenin, the 18s champion in 2015, won the 2020 Australian Open. Coco Gauff, an 18s semifinalist in 2018, has since advanced to the quarterfinals of Australian Open twice and the French Open once. Amanda Anisimova, an 18s semifinalist in 2016, reached the French Open semifinals two years ago.

Online: ustagirlsnationals.com

Thien is a freelance writer.