MALIBU, Calif. – Recent alumnae of the Pepperdine women's tennis team
Mayar Sherif and
Luisa Stefani have continued to roll on towards success after Pepperdine, competing in the International Tennis Federation (ITF) Pro Circuit and Women's Tennis Association (WTA) since last calling the Ralphs-Straus Tennis Center their home.
Stefani most recently won the doubles competition in Ilkley, Great Britain as Sherif took the singles competition in Madrid, Spain- winning her last four professional tournaments and her last 20 matches in straight sets.
Sherif, who reached the NCAA Singles Championship semifinals and was ranked 11
th (ITA singles) in 2018, has garnered four singles ITF Pro Circuit titles and one doubles title since graduating from Pepperdine in December of 2019. Her singles championships include circuits from Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt (2/5/2019), Cairo, Egypt (4/30/2019) and twice this month in Tabarka, Tunisia (6/2/2019 and 6/9/2019). Sherif also captured her doubles title in Tabarka with partner Alicia Rusova out of Slovakia.
"I feel like I am playing some of my best tennis right now and really enjoying the ride," she said. "Pepperdine really helped prepare me to become a better person and player. I wouldn't be the person I am today without my experience as part of the tennis team. Go Waves!"
The ITF currently ranks Sherif 12
th in singles.
Pepperdine career winning percentage record-holder (.847) Stefani has also been successful since leaving Malibu, as she garnered three WTA doubles titles alongside partner Astrid Sharma (Vanderbilt '18). Their championships include Curitiba, Brazil (3/19/2019), Sao Paolo, Brazil (3/12/2019) and Guadeloupe, France (1/15/2019).
"It was one of my goals since the beginning of the year to play at Roland Garros," Stefani said after her win in Guadeloupe.
"Being able to compete there was very special and it made me believe that I am taking steps in the right direction, and that I belong at that level of play and tournaments." Stefani currently holds #113 and #437 rankings for WTA doubles and singles consecutively.
Follow past, present and future Waves on Facebook and Twitter @WavesTennis and be sure to check in on
www.PepperdineWaves.com for all updates with the program, schedules and more.
