Auburn tennis player Fani Chifchieva doesn't believe in rituals or superstitions before matches. She said she just takes a deep breath and thinks positively, knowing she will do everything she can to win the match.
Chifchieva, a recently graduated senior with a degree in Spanish, finished her tennis career ranked No. 2 in Auburn's singles victories, with a record of 104-40.
After Auburn's regular tennis season and the SEC playoffs ended, Chifchieva qualified for the 2010 NCAA Singles Championship in Athens, Ga. She started out the first round on May 26th with a match against No. 57 ITA ranked Lindsay Hardenburg, a sophomore at the University of Virginia.
"I think the key was that Fani is aware of the momentum and was able to maintain it throughout the match," said Coach Tim Gray. "She didn't allow big momentum swings and played really well on the big points."
Chifchieva won the match in a 6-4, 6-2 victory, qualifying for the next round, a match against No. 3 ITA ranked Maria Sanchez, a sophomore at USC.
In the last game of her college career, Chifchieva lost 7-6, 7-5 to Sanchez in what Gray called a very tight match.
"Sanchez just played the big points a little better, and Fani made a few unforced errors that just made a difference," Gray said. "It was a great match though, very close and definitely could have been won by Fani."
Despite Chifchieva's loss to Sanchez, her coach and teammates agree that she has had successful four years here on the Plains.
Chifchieva's awards and recognitions include being named the 2010 ITA Southern Region Senior of the Year, a three-time ITA All-American (Auburn's first in history), a four-time All-SEC Squad member, 2008 SEC Player of the Year and the 2007 ITC Freshman of the Year.
"Fani is very professional," Gray said. "Like most athletes, she's not perfect every day, but when she comes she's always ready to work, and I think that is one of the reasons she's had the success she's had."
Chifchieva picked up her first racket at 7 years old in her hometown of Plovdiv, Bulgaria. Her father introduced her to the courts and after realizing her passion, signed her up for a tennis club.
"I just really liked the game and started learning more and more about it," Chifchieva said. "I've played ever since then."
Former partner and teammate Myrthe Molenvald commented that Chifchieva would be greatly missed from the team next year. "Fani's always been the one who leads the team," Molenvald said. "You can rely on her when she's playing. She doesn't have an up or down day, she's always very steady and respected on the court."
Chifchieva may not be an active member of the tennis team anymore, but she plans to be a volunteer assistant for the team while she is getting her masters in school counseling at Auburn.
"I wish I had done better in the last tournament because I really wanted to finish on a higher note, but overall I'm happy with my four years here at Auburn, and I'll be around for another two years so obviously I love the city and love the team," Chifchieva said.
Chifchieva has not yet decided if she will play on the tour. "I'm starting grad school in the fall, but if there are any tournaments when I have time I will be more than happy to play."
Chifchieva said she feels her senior season was good overall, but not her best. "I had some good wins in singles this year, and actually did much better in doubles this year than any of the other years," Chifchieva said.
"It's been a great experience [coaching Fani]," Gray said. "She's a phenomenal player, she's had a phenomenal career at Auburn and she's clearly the most decorated player in Auburn history. I just wish we could keep her for another four years."
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