Quevedo’s steady climb: from Gran Canaria title to Hamburg final at 19

Nineteen-year-old Kaitlin Quevedo arrived in Hamburg as the top seed and produced a week of composed, aggressive tennis that carried her to the final, where she finished as runner-up. The result followed the biggest title of her young career and reinforced a steady rise on the pro circuit.

Born in Naples, Florida, Quevedo carries dual roots. Her choice to base herself in Spain two years ago and to change her sporting nationality has been central to her progress. “Since I was born, I have double nationality,” she says. “Two years ago, I moved to Spain and started to train at TEC Carles Ferrer Salat Academy in Barcelona. When I went there, I got the opportunity by the Federation, and I changed my nationality. At this moment, I was looking for change, and it was great timing.”

Now ranked World No. 156, with a career high of No. 152 earlier this month, Quevedo has collected nine ITF World Tennis Tour titles. Her most notable win came in August at the ITF W100 DISA Gran Canaria-Maspalomas. “It was incredible,” she recalled. “I never felt such emotions when I won the final. I had confidence when I arrived at the tournament and I really wanted to win it. I went match by match, as you never know what happened. Every day I had a lot of support. My family was there. I really felt like being at home. It was such a good environment, just insane.”

Back in Hamburg she found a favorable setting. “I played here last year,” she said with a smile. “I like the club, the courts, the tournament and the organization. It fits my game style well. We knew how everything was and I am excited to be back.”

Quevedo describes her tennis as evolving around power and intensity. “Definitely physical,” she explained. “I am starting to become more aggressive as well. I like to build the point, to play heavy, open the court and to step in. I am working on going more to the net. I feel like I have all the shots and slowly becoming more aggressive as well.”

She acknowledges the jump from juniors, where she was once world No. 5, to the pro tour is demanding. “For sure, just getting more experience and playing as many tournaments and matches as possible against the best players,” she said. “With every match I learn something, evolve and keep improving. The good thing is, I keep… playing bigger tournaments against even better players. They push you more. They show you what you really have to work on.”

Based in Barcelona, she still values family time in the Canary Islands. “I am not that often in Gran Canaria, as it is a three-hour flight and it’s not that you go there just over the weekend. I go a few times a year. For sure, for Christmas. When I have time, I really love to go there and spend time with my family and enjoy the food.”

Off court she combines study and recovery. “To be honest, I just really like tennis,” she laughed. “But I am studying right now about nutrition. Of course, I also like to spend time with my friends and family.”

Her aims are clear and ambitious. “I want to finish inside the Top 150 this season. I am almost there. Next year, I will have the chance to play all the Grand Slams, and my dream is to play against the best players and become No. 1.”