Singles/Doubles
By Hailey Amato
Freshman Natalie Braverman was born and raised a California girl. She didn’t have to travel far to find her heart and her home on the tennis courts here at Pepperdine.
Originally from Newport Beach, Braverman started playing tennis when she was four years old.
In a family that enjoyed tennis recreationally, she discovered her talent at a young age.
“My sister started playing tennis when I was little,” Braverman said. “Of course her being my older sister I had to copy everything she did and so naturally I began playing.”
She began competing in tournaments at seven and hasn’t stopped since. She played in individual junior tournaments throughout California and across the country, and was a varsity letter winner at Newport Harbor High School.
Braverman, who wanted to stay close to home, was attracted to the strong tennis program at Pepperdine as well as the location.
“I love Southern California,” Braverman said. “I can’t imagine anywhere better to be than here in Malibu.”
She has made a quick adjustment to university life and her new college team.
“I like college tennis much more than the individual tennis I’ve been doing my whole life,” Braverman said. “In individual competitions you’re all by yourself out on the court – no team, no coaching. Now I know that I’ll always have six other girls cheering me on and two coaches there helping me out. The great camaraderie and the team environment is the aspect I love.”
Braverman is already making her mark as a Wave. She is currently playing as the No. 1 singles player for Pepperdine and led her team to a 7-0 win over Gonzaga on Monday, winning her matches 6-3, 6-0. She also won her doubles match with her partner, senior Monika Horvath.
“I love playing doubles,” Braverman said. “But I definitely consider myself a singles player.”
A singles player to look out for.
January 23, 2003