2022 Standard-Times Girls Tennis Player of the Year: Wareham's Brooklyn Bindas
When the Wareham girls tennis team made history with its first-ever trip to a state final this spring, Brooklyn Bindas had a dilemma on her hands.
The championship match was set for the same day as the United States Tennis Association (USTA) sectionals and she couldn’t be in two places at the same time.
“It was a little tough, but I’ll always prioritize the team over sectionals and myself,” said Bindas. “I care about the team a lot. It’s so much fun. It brings a different light to tennis because it’s such an individual sport. I think it’s super exciting.”
Wareham head coach Geoff Swett added, “She was thrilled to give it up to be in the state championship because she's a total team player. She loves being on a team.”
While many elite tennis players focus their attention on only playing USTA, Bindas has enjoyed the team aspect of high school tennis at Wareham.
“This year was definitely the best we’ve had,” said the 16-year-old Bindas. “We had a full team and we had a great team. Everyone worked hard. They worked during the season and in the offseason and it really showed in our season. We were able to make it to the state final.”
Swett added, “That is a big part of the reason she joined the team. She wanted to be on a team and not just do USTA matches all of her life.”
When Bindas joined Wareham’s team four years ago as a seventh grader, it was a program struggling. Now the Vikings are two-time South Coast Conference champions and just finished the season with an overall record of 25-1.
“I hope we’re remembered for how far we’ve come in a little time,” Bindas said. “Four years ago, we weren’t winning anything and now we’re in the state finals. It’s so exciting.”
Bindas has played a major role in Wareham’s rise with her dominance at the top spot year in and year out. She hasn’t lost a singles match in three seasons and she wrapped up a 24-0 campaign this spring to earn her third Standard-Times Girls Tennis Player of the Year award.
“She’s never lost,” Swett said. “This season, she never lost more than three games in an entire match. No one got more than two games and that includes the undefeated girl from Hamilton-Wenham in the state championship.”
Bindas also captured the South Coast Conference Individual Singles championship, beating Fairhaven’s Kaydin Pinto in the final.
“It was really awesome,” Bindas said. “I haven’t been able to do anything like that since 2019. It was a really good experience.”
Bindas, who plays tennis year round, is constantly looking for ways to get better.
“I definitely improved my serve and my consistency,” she said. “I’ve been able to get a lot more power behind it and more spin and consistency with it.”
Swett added, “Even during lessons she’s working really hard. She’s just pushing herself to get herself as consistent as she can be. She has the maturity, discipline and effort behind the talent.”
Bindas challenges herself every time she steps on the court — even if it means playing left-handed against a JV player that needs a partner.
“I definitely set goals for myself in the match,” she said. “No matter who you play, you always get better.”
Swett said that Bindas is so powerful that the opposition is almost always on its heels.
“You can't be on the offensive with her because her shots are so consistent and penetrating,” he said. “You’re just trying to get the shot back.
“She just doesn’t have weaknesses. Are there girls in the state that could push her? Maybe, but I actually think she may win the state tournament next year. I hope they have it.”
Bindas started playing tennis when she was seven years old and was hooked instantly.
“I fell in love with it right away,” she said. “I love everything about it. I love how spontaneous tennis is and how different each point is and how different each player is.”
ALL ABOUT BROOKLYN BINDAS
WHY SHE WAS SELECTED: No one came close to challenging Bindas at the No. 1 singles spot as the Wareham sophomore went undefeated on her way to leading the Vikings to their first-ever state final appearance.
KEY STATS: The South Coast Conference MVP never lost more than three games in a match on her way to a perfect 24-0 record. She also captured the SCC Individual Singles championship.
MVP MOMENT: Bindas had Wareham’s lone win in the Div. 4 state final as she handed Hamilton-Wenham’s Sky Jara her first loss of the season.
FAIRHAVEN COACH TARA COACH: “She is just your all-around player. She has all of the skills and she’s been playing forever. She’s the complete package.”
NOTES: Bindas is ranked first in her class at Wareham. … Even though Bindas is just a sophomore, she’s always thinking about college and would like to play tennis while studying pre-med. … Bindas will be competing in August in a National doubles tournament in Florida. She has won New England doubles sectionals seven times with the most recent in February of 2022. Bindas is currently a three-star tennis recruit that is ranked No. 15 in singles and No. 4 in doubles for New England and No. 98 in the country.
This article originally appeared on Standard-Times: Wareham's Brooklyn Bindas is 2022 Girls Tennis Player of the Year
