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Sitting in a family style Italian restaurant with a big bowl of pasta for Thanksgiving dinner isn’t the traditional way Americans usually celebrate. But it was a fine tradeoff for Julia Werdiger since it led to winning her first major title.

The five-star junior from New York, seeded ninth, defeated No. 10 Elena Daskalova 6-3, 6-2 in the singles final of the USTA Girls 16 National Indoors Championships last week at Baseline Tennis Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

Girls 16s Champion Julia Werdiger
© Contributed Photo

“It was an incredible feeling. It’s kind of indescribable,” Werdiger said. “Just being able to see all of my hard work and training pay off was just an amazing feeling. It’s always been my dream in tennis to win a gold ball and to finally achieve that is something I will never forget.”

Werdiger was one of the many juniors who once again spent their holiday weekend competing for gold, silver and bronze balls on indoor surfaces. The championships were held at eight locations across the country for 18s, 16s, 14s and 12s singles and doubles.