Tennis: Big Apple Bartlett steps up

“I’m a really competitive person by nature,” Bartlett explained. “Tennis has always been a good outlet for me. It is the desire to compete all the time and the pride that you have when you accomplish your goals that drives me.”

Bartlett’s teammates and coaches are certainly glad that she turns into a determined, focused player when she picks up her racket.

Princeton’s women’s tennis program has been on the rise for the past couple of years. Last year, the Tigers won their first Ivy League title since 2000.

Bartlett, who currently plays in the No. 1 singles spot, is a big reason why the team has enjoyed so much success. Since arriving on campus her freshman year, she has earned a series of accolades, including first-team All-Ivy selections in both singles and doubles last season.

The Tigers have opened their spring season with a string of victories, including three over Ivy League rivals. In these wins, Bartlett has shined on the court, going undefeated in both singles and doubles.

Bartlett’s doubles partner is junior Taylor Marable, and the duo is currently ranked No. 19 in the nation. While Bartlett has celebrated many victories during her Princeton career, she says that her sweetest moment was when she played doubles with Marable at the Intercollegiate Tennis Association All-American Championship in the fall.

“We did better than either one of us was expecting,” she said. “We beat the No. 4 and No. 9 doubles teams in the country.”

The fact that Bartlett and Marable defeated highly ranked teams should come as no surprise to anyone who follows Princeton women’s tennis.

First-year head coach Megan Bradley is certainly not shocked at their success.

“Taylor and Hilary are a top-20 doubles team because they get along so well,” she said. “You have to have a mutual understanding of your partner in order to be successful, and they both understand each other’s strengths and weaknesses. When they are working as a team, they are really tough to beat.”

But Bartlett was not always as confident in the big moments. She developed her on-the-court poise during her sophomore year. Last season, the No. 1 spot was held by freshman Lauren McHale, the 2009 Ivy League Rookie of the Year. But, as Bartlett explained, McHale has taken time off from Princeton and is expected to matriculate at the University of North Carolina next fall.

When the No. 1 singles spot opened up, the burden fell on Bartlett’s shoulders.

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Bradley says that Bartlett was at first reluctant to replace McHale.

“I think being so successful at the No. 2 spot last year, Hilary was a bit hesitant to take over the top spot,” Bradley said. “But, as the year progressed, I have really seen her find confidence in her ability to be No. 1.”

Bartlett attributes part of her recent success to the fact that she first picked up a racket when she was 5 years old. A native of New York City, she attended the Brearley School from kindergarten through 12th grade. At Brearley, Bartlett found her love of the game.

“In kindergarten, I took weekly lessons with a group of girls in my class,” Bartlett said. “I really liked [tennis], and I started playing more on my own.”

Growing up in New York City, Bartlett was often able to attend the US Open.

“Seeing my peers compete on that kind of stage is inspiring,” she said. “I have trained a bit on those indoor courts.”

Bartlett was heavily recruited out of high school. And like many capable athletes, she had her choice of colleges. Though she was sought out by Harvard, Yale and Dartmouth, Bartlett immediately felt a closer connection to Princeton. Her father, Richard Bartlett ’79, was a member of the lacrosse team while at Old Nassau, and she often attended Reunions with her family.

When it came time to decide, Bartlett felt that she made the right choice.

“I saw an opportunity [at Princeton] because the program was clearly on the rise,” she said. “I thought it would be a really fun thing to be a part of.”

But tennis is not all fun and games for Bartlett. On the court, she always means business and uses her natural talent to its fullest potential.

“Hilary has a big game, and that’s what it takes to be a successful No. 1 player in college tennis,” said Bradley, herself a former top college player. “She is a naturally gifted ball striker and has the ability to put the ball away from anywhere on the court.”

“I am very much looking forward to seeing just how good she can be over the next few years,” Bradley added.

Given the success Bartlett has had thus far, it seems she has nowhere to go but up.