Fourth-year tennis player Nikki Fernando’s time at the University of Rhode Island will come to an end after the spring season concludes, but not before she sets her name in the program’s record book.
Securing her 64th win in doubles play against Dominican University of California on Friday, Fernando is one win away from breaking the program record of career wins. She is currently tied with Tristany Leikem ‘12.
Fernando has primarily played doubles with fourth-year Priyanka Shanker, Nadia Rajan ’24, second-year Katharina Spieth and, most recently, first-year Kajsa Helgesen throughout her career in Rhode Island.
“ That makes this even more remarkable because our coaching staff is one that believes in consistency with one partner,” URI Head Coach Jonas Brobeck said. “It just shows how good of a tennis player she is and how committed she is to her craft, but also to the understanding of the game in doubles that is very different from the singles court.”
Sitting at 58 career wins in singles play, Fernando was a singles player at her high school, Seabury Hall in Makawao, Hawaii.
“ It’s something that if you told me as a freshman would happen, I would think you’re crazy,” Fernando said. “I knew I was going to get my degree, but to mark my name, it means so much.”
Wanting to pursue a Division I tennis career, Fernando also considered other factors when choosing what school to attend.
“ In terms of location, I wanted all four seasons,” Fernando said. “Living in Hawaii all my life, I was so used to the same weather every day and admired the white Christmas and all that. So it was in the perfect region. On top of that, they had my major, which is neuroscience, and I heard nothing but great things from the school.”
Fernando is one of the three fourth-year captains, alongside Sophie Herrman and Ava Grnja.
“She’s been a tremendous leader for all the girls,” Brobeck said. “There’s been so much growth on and off the court that makes her into a better tennis player and person. There’s no more rewarding feeling as a coach.”
Last season’s 15-6 record was the program’s most successful in recent years. Fernando led the team in singles wins with a record of 20-7.
Fernando has played in the No. 1 doubles spot all four years. The majority of her matches took place at No. 1 in her third year with Spieth, where they went 9-8 and 11-13 overall.
“I think as a whole, reflecting back, I feel like I’ve grown tremendously,” Fernando said. “With a hard major and with Division I tennis, I feel like it’s grown me into a person that I think freshman me would look up to. I’m doing all the things I love outside the classroom, and I go onto the court, and I win matches with the girls that I’ve grown so close to.”
This season, she’s already earned 14 doubles wins with Helgesen. Her season-best in doubles wins came in her second year, where she went 18-11 with Rajan.
With the opportunity to earn her record-breaking 65th doubles win, Fernando and the Rams begin conference play against Saint Joseph’s University on Saturday in Philadelphia at 10 a.m.
