There is a new rising star in the world of Carolina tennis in 8-year-old South Carolina state champion Sydney Housinger of Tryon.
Sydney is an avid member of Coach Cary Davenport’s junior Carolina Tennis Program and will be moving up to the 10-year-old divisions this weekend.
Davenport said Sydney has many attributes that carry her to victory.
“First is her passion. Sydney embraces tennis with her whole heart and soul and she can play all day,” Davenport said.
He said Sydney also has a tremendous amount of endurance, has exceptional hand and eye coordination, and is coachable.

“She accepts correction and criticism well. She does not get upset – she just makes things better,” he said.
Her fifth, and most important strength he said, is that she moves well.
“The passwords for the tennis program are “move your feet” and this is something that is a God given gift to Sydney,” he said. “The top 50 international tennis players all move their feet and are the best professional tennis players in the world.  Moving your feet is most important – and Sydney does this skill with great balance and skill.”
Sydney began taking tennis lessons with Carolina Junior Tennis in September 2011.
Mom, Amy Housinger, said Sydney is self-motivated with bigger than life dreams and goals for herself.
“Coach Cary and everyone at Carolina Junior Tennis are wonderful! They are great with kids and make daily practice a fun time. They coach good life lessons like respect, teamwork, sportsmanship and honesty,” mom, Amy Housinger said. “Sydney gets excited when it’s time for tennis practice, which is something you don’t find with every sport.”
A typical week of tennis consists of three hours of group lessons along with one hour of a shared private lesson with her friend Hannah Mabry. Sydney also likes to play tennis with her family during the week, and said she can’t wait to play more tennis in the summer.
She is looking forward in particular to playing a tournament at Myrtle Beach in June with her friend Hannah Mabry.
“Tennis has always been a choice for Sydney and so far it’s been one of the most fun decisions she has made,” said Amy Housinger.
Sydney said the easiest movement for her is the forehand stroke, and the hardest to master is the serve. Her new goals for tennis are to learn new swings, improve her loop and be in the top 60 in the world.
“I also like hiking, swimming, running, playing games, being around the animals (especially my cat, Benjamin), listening to music, singing, dancing and playing pranks on my Dad! My favorite song is “The Climb” by Miley Cyrus, and my favorite food is tacos,” Sydney said.
Sydney will attend third grade at Tryon Elementary School in the fall.