Coming up aces: Valentina Arlati tops state’s junior tennis rankings

Valentina Arlati has a simple tennis tournament philosophy. 

“I just try to focus on now and do what I can now,” she said. “If it doesn’t work out, then I can know that I did everything that I could’ve done.”

Valentina, 12, has had plenty of practice. She’s climbed the ranks of junior tennis and is currently the No. 1 player in Massachusetts, according to the Tennis Recruiting Network, and the No. 3 player in New England girls 12 and under division, per USTA. Tennis Recruiting also lists her No. 29 nationally among rising seventh graders.

Valentina started playing at age 6.  

“I think one of my friends was playing, and so I wanted to,” she said. “Then my dad decided to sign me up for more lessons, because I loved it.” 

Her family moved to Acton from Boston two years ago. Valentina attends Acton Middle School and trains at The Thoreau Club. 

For Valentina, who is an avid reader, balancing school and tennis can be a challenge. Sometimes she has to miss school for tournaments, but she doesn’t mind.  

“When I do have free time, I usually end up going and playing tennis,” Valentina said.  

Prestige and pressure 

This summer, Valentina competed in the New England Junior Tennis Championships, entering as the No. 1 seed and finishing second overall.

“It was a good experience being the first seed, because you’re the one everyone’s looking up to. Everyone wants to beat you.” However, “it was difficult because there’s pressure. You’re the one who’s supposed to win.” 

A week later, Valentina was on her way to North Carolina for a national tournament, competing against the best 128 age 12-and-under tennis players nationwide. She advanced to the round of 32, winning two matches and losing two. 

It was her seventh national tournament — and an improvement from last year, where she lost all of her matches in the same tournament. 

“It was not fun on the way back,” she said.

‘Get back up’

For Valentina, the world falls away when she plays. 

“Nothing else matters when you step on the court,” she said. “You don’t have to worry about anything else. All that matters is the match.”

Inevitably, though, she still has to deal with the aftermath of a match, including her losses. Because tennis is a solo undertaking, Valentina has to shoulder a lot of responsibility for her age. 

“The most challenging part is probably having to get back up and go back to practice after losing a tough match,” she said.

This has been a learning experience for Valentina’s mother, Abby Nein. “It’s your kid out there alone,” she said, agreeing that bad outcomes can sting. “The drive home when it doesn’t go your way, there are no friends around you, there are no teammates, it’s all an individual sport.”

A family effort

Nonetheless, Valentina can rely on strong familial support. Her father is one of her coaches, and her mom and siblings cheer her on from the sidelines.

“I did this with the help of all my coaches and my parents, and my dad, even though we don’t always agree,” she said. “And my brother and my sister are just always there for me.” 

Her younger sister, Micaela, competed in the New England Championships this summer with Valentina. 

“I got to cheer my own sister on at sectionals, and she did a lot better than I did when I was 10. She got to the quarterfinals, so we’re all pretty proud of her,” Valentina said with admiration.

“I really like cheering her on, and I hope one day we’ll be able to play doubles together at nationals.”