Fairfield University tennis fans have a new name to watch—sophomore sensation Anna Neyestani. On October 6th, Neyestani captured the singles title at the inaugural Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference Masters Tournament at Quinnipiac University, delivering a performance as fierce as it was elegant. Facing Marist’s seventh-seeded and reigning MAAC Rookie of the Year, Caterina Assi, Neyestani dominated, winning 6-1, 6-3.
Neyestani’s win is the culmination of years of dedication that began in her childhood in Scottsdale, Arizona, where tennis quickly became more than a game—it became her calling.
Tennis has always run deep for Neyestani, who first picked up a racket at age four, following in her older sister’s footsteps. “I started playing when I was four, pretty young,” Neyestani reflected. “My sister started playing before me. I would just go to her practices and see her play it, and I really wanted to try it myself. It seemed really fun.”
In addition to her sister’s influence, Neyestani looked up to the sport’s greats from a young age. “When I was younger, I loved Roger Federer and Rafa Nadal—they’re probably my favorites,” she said. “I always admired how effortless Roger was on the court, and I try to be like him because he’s amazing. For women, I’ve always watched Serena Williams and Maria Sharapova; I thought they were so cool.”
Her early exposure and inspiration from the sport’s best laid the foundation for a lifelong passion. Neyestani was also fortunate to train with an inspiring coach who helped her grow and appreciate the game. “I started with a really good coach in Arizona; her name is Tracy. She was amazing and really good with kids,” she shared.
By the age of eight, Neyestani was competing in tournaments, drawn to the thrill of competition and the camaraderie on the court. “It was just really fun to focus on something else, and the way the coaches were, they made it fun. We would play games, and I really liked that community aspect,” she said.
A five-star recruit out of high school, Neyestani initially began her collegiate tennis career at the College of Charleston. However, after her freshman season, she entered the transfer portal, and Fairfield quickly became her first choice. The combination of Fairfield’s academic strength, athletic program, and the warm welcome from the team made her decision easy. Head Coach Jeff Bricker, with a decade of experience, also played a key role in her choice.
“Coach Jeff’s amazing, and I really liked everything he said about Fairfield. I love New England, and the academics here were amazing—I really couldn’t turn it down,” she said. “Everything seemed perfect, and the second I got here, it just felt like it was meant to be.”
Fairfield’s academic and athletic offerings weren’t the only attractions; as a film major, Neyestani was excited by Fairfield’s film program. She’s a self-described movie enthusiast, with favorites ranging from classic romantic comedies to psychological thrillers. “There are so many great movies out there, but one of my favorites is “When Harry Met Sally”. It’s really good—Billy Crystal and Meg Ryan, perfect for fall. I also like Christopher Nolan films, like “Interstellar”, “Inception”, and “Oppenheimer”. They’re amazing.”
Transitioning to a new team is often challenging, but Neyestani found her place quickly among the Stags. “It was seamless—way better than I thought it would be. The girls are the sweetest people, like a little family, and everyone is so supportive of each other,” she said. “I was nervous at first, but after that first stressful week, I found my place thanks to the girls being so welcoming and supportive. It was awesome.”
With a solid support system in place, Neyestani focused on her ultimate goal for the season: a MAAC Championship. From the beginning, she worked hard to elevate her game, building confidence and refining skills through early matches against teams like Quinnipiac, St. Joseph’s, and Army. “Our season started right when school began, so we had a lot of early matches. Having those matches right away was helpful for me because I feel more prepared on the court with more playing experience,” she explained.
Under the expert guidance of Coach Bricker, Neyestani and her teammates trained intensely, honing their serving, returning, and doubles strategies while maintaining peak fitness. “We played a lot of sets to be ready,” she noted, emphasizing the holistic approach they took to prepare.
Neyestani’s preparation included familiar comforts and routines, like her pre-match favorite: bagels. “In the morning before a match, I always have a bagel—it’s just something I have to do. My coaches usually get us bagels, and I love them; they’re probably one of my favorite foods. They’re amazing and perfect before a match.”
As the MAAC Masters approached, Neyestani kept a steady mindset, working to overcome the nerves that come with high-level competition. “The hardest part is probably the nerves since it’s obviously a big deal, and I tend to get pretty nervous before stepping on the court,” she shared. “Controlling that is important, but I remind myself that everyone feels nervous, so I just try to play free and remember that I’ve done this a million times before.”
Neyestani also has a unique way of managing pressure on the court: playing Taylor Swift songs in her head. “Taylor Swift is usually my go-to, and I have this weird habit when I play—I keep a song playing in my head. If I’m losing, I’ll change it up, but it’s usually one of Taylor’s songs.”
Throughout the tournament, Neyestani found calm and strength in the support of her teammates, especially as she advanced to the final match. “Having my team there to support me, especially in the final, was really helpful,” she said. The mutual support among the Stags has been central to Neyestani’s journey at Fairfield.
Reflecting on her championship victory, Neyestani expressed deep pride and fulfillment, noting that the win was about more than personal success; it was about representing Fairfield and honoring the support she’d received. “It was so much fun, and I really wanted to win for the team and for the school. I’ve never felt as happy on court as I did during these tournaments because of the support from my coach and teammates,” she said. “I felt free to play like myself, and seeing everyone, including my coach, so happy made it even more rewarding. Being able to win for Fairfield was really special, and I was genuinely happy.”
With her MAAC title now part of Fairfield’s tennis legacy, Neyestani is gearing up for her next challenge: the Masters Championship. Her preparation remains steady, reflecting her confidence in the training and routines that have brought her this far.
“To prepare for the Masters Championship, I’ve been playing matches and sets each week to stay match-ready. My coach has me working with the team to keep up my fitness, and I’m focused on playing my game and staying relaxed,” she explained. “I’m really excited and honored to be part of it.”
As a student-athlete from Arizona, Neyestani is far from home, but she has fully embraced life in New England. “I love New York and New England, and being close to New York City has been great,” she said. “I enjoyed Charleston too, but Arizona was just too hot for me, especially in the summer. Even though it’s hard being away from my family, everything here feels perfect—the beautiful campus, the supportive team, and the overall environment.”
Leaving her comfort zone has allowed Neyestani to grow both as a person and an athlete. “Sometimes, it’s good to step out of your comfort zone and experience something new, and I’m really glad I did that by coming here.”
As Neyestani prepares for the Masters Championship in Rome, Georgia, from November 7-10, Fairfield fans have every reason to believe their rising star will continue to shine. Neyestani, too, is determined to keep raising the bar, setting her sights on even greater achievements for herself and her team. Her journey exemplifies talent, hard work, and unwavering dedication, and if her previous successes are any indication, Fairfield’s star will only continue to rise.
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