With the spring season underway, The Chronicle is polling readers every week via its Sportswrap newsletter to highlight one Blue Devil athlete’s outstanding performance. This week, the honor goes to Liv Hovde of Duke women’s tennis:
The great thing about tennis is that it is an individual and team sport.
Halfway through the spring season, Duke is the seventh-ranked women's tennis team in the country. The Blue Devils have a strong and deep roster, and their newest addition, freshman Liv Hovde, is making the transition from individual to team play with ease. Hovde became NCAA-eligible on Feb. 21 after being added to the team in late December, and she made her collegiate debut the same day on the road at Boston College.
Hovde, who has played tennis since she was five years old, boasts an impressive pre-college resume, traveling the country and the world competing in singles. She even switched to homeschooling starting in sixth grade to devote all her time to tennis. In 2022, Hovde claimed the singles Wimbledon Junior Championship 6-3, 6-4 victory, and was a former No. 1 recruit nationally. She also reached a career-high No. 3 International Tennis Federation (ITF) ranking. Hovde and fellow freshman Ava Krug have been playing tennis together since eight years old and now find themselves on the same college team.
“After playing on the pro tour the last few years, it has been an adjustment for sure in terms of balancing top academics with elite college tennis,” Hovde said. “But my team, coaches and the overall Duke community have been amazing and really supportive.”
Despite her singles accolades, Hovde and her partner Emma Jackson are 4-1 in doubles since her collegiate debut only six matches ago. Her singles record is an impressive 3-1, with two unfinished matches and two of those wins coming from the number-two slot.
Hovde’s additions to an already-strong Blue Devil roster are already being shown just four weeks into her Duke career. She and her new team have all the makings for a historic season.
“My team goal is definitely to win the NCAA Championship — and we have the talent and depth to do it! We are currently ranked seventh in the country and improving every time out," Hovde said. "Come support us and watch us play! Go Duke!”
Get to know Hovde
Favorite pre-match meal: My pre-match meals are pretty boring as I like to keep it simple. Jimmy John’s or a chicken grain bowl from Cava are typically my go-to meals.
Favorite athletics memory: Winning Wimbledon Juniors in 2022 is at the top of the list. Hoping my next favorite memories will be winning team and individual NCAA championships at Duke.
Favorite hobby outside of sport: I am not sure this is a hobby, but I definitely am a foodie! I love to experience great restaurants and foods from around the world — and nothing beats a great chocolate dessert!
Favorite song: I love all kinds of music, but my favorite song right now is “Secrets” by OneRepublic.
Favorite class at Duke: My favorite class is Sports Media with Professor Johnny Moore. He brings critical analysis to the interplay between sports and the media — which I never really paid attention to before.
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