Challenge Series Debut Proves Profitable for Atlanta Native Tyler Stice
INTENNSE Tennis
3 MINS | Published on 06/24/25
ATLANTA, GA — The INTENNSE™ Challenge Series cemented its reputation last weekend as an essential proving ground for players aiming for the big leagues. Atlanta's Tyler Stice perfectly embodies this, with his unforgettable journey from the group phase to his pivotal role in his Challenge Team's victory over Team Atlanta.
Coming into Thursday’s group phase, Stice was unsure what to expect.
"The first match was about as nervous as I've probably ever been."
Following Thursday's group play, Tyler advanced to Friday's high-stakes shootout with a little money in his pocket and the knowledge that if he made it through the day, he would get to play against an INTENNSE professional team and have the chance to showcase his abilities for a future opportunity with the League.
Friday's shootout, however, delivered the kind of drama that makes the Challenge Series electric. Facing elimination in the final qualifying match, he found himself trailing 8 points with just 1:15 remaining on the clock and felt he needed a miracle.
Shifting tactics to aggressive net play, he launched a remarkable comeback—rushing the net, hitting multiple volley winners, and ultimately sealing the victory with a nerve-racking high volley that barely landed inside the baseline.
"That was one of the craziest 75 seconds of my life."
That clutch performance earned him a coveted spot on the Challenge Team, setting the stage for Saturday's showdown against Team Atlanta. Despite meeting his teammates and coach, former pro Irina Falconi-Hartman, just hours before match time, the bond was instantaneous.
“It just felt like we all had very similar attitudes and mindsets on how we were going to try to go out and compete.”
As the Challenge Team took the court, the underdog narrative quickly transformed into dominance. The players fed off each other's enthusiasm and the roaring crowd.
“That was without a doubt, the most fun that I've had on court all year and probably in a very long time.”
“I can think of only a few moments in my whole career that might be where I was like, you know what, as far as like pure fun, and just enjoyment goes, that can match how much fun and enjoyment I had playing out there. That was unbelievable.”
By the final Bolt, the Challenge Team had registered a decisive win over Team Atlanta 212-186, with a 76-63 win in Men’s singles, a 65-51 victory in Women’s singles, and a one-point loss, 72-71 in doubles.
