Sonja Keranen Doubles Up On Tennis And Her Future
3/21/2024 2:00:00 PM | Women's Tennis
Senior has been one of the top doubles players in Georgia Southern history, looks to continue her career path through coaching
STATESBORO - Georgia Southern women's tennis senior Sonja Keranen has made her mark on the doubles court for the Eagles in her four-year career, currently ranking fourth all-time with 47 doubles wins.
But the Helsinki, Finland, native is creating a future for herself that goes beyond just the serves and volleys that she delivers each time out on the court.
As a juniors player in Finland, Sonja was not convinced that she was even going to go to college at all, and as such was a latecomer to the recruiting process.
"I was not sure if I was going to come to the United States and play college tennis at all," Sonja said. "But I worked with an agency and I talked with Coach [McCaffrey], as well as Troy and East Carolina. But Georgia Southern gave me a feeling of having a family environment and that was what I was mostly looking for at that time.
"The seniors reached out to me - Paula [Boixader] and Lot [Charlotte van Diemen] - and Coach had the whole team chat during practice. That was the final thing that convinced me, that yes we are like a small family here. It's going to be my family away from my family."
Sonja began playing tennis at age seven, but it was not the only sport that she excelled at. She started swimming at three years old, and she also started playing basketball at the age of 12.
"My mom also started tennis at the same time, because I loved it so much," Sonja said. "At the age of 13, I had to choose what sport I wanted to pursue, and it came down to swimming and tennis. I was better at swimming, but I was thinking, 'If this sport is going to be my future, what do I want to do?' I would die of boredom during swimming practices! So I'm going to choose tennis."
Sonja originally came to Statesboro as a business major, but quickly changed her current sport management major. She will graduate this May and she is excited at using that major to continue her career in the tennis world.
"I want to be a tennis coach," Sonja said. "Mostly juniors, with kids 12 to 16 or 17 years old, I think that's the time when most of the kids are taking their growing steps. I feel like I'm making an impact being part of that coaching step. But now, Coach [McCaffrey] has been giving me little college coaching opportunities. Every day I get to be on the court coaching, and I'm liking it more and more."
She has been giving lessons to local Statesboro youth players as well while playing for the Eagles. "I'd say I have like four or five kids who are consistent," Sonja said. "Then I have kids who give me calls every now and then. I've seen a lot of growth and it makes me very happy."
Going into this weekend, Sonja's 47 doubles wins as an Eagle have her tied for fourth on the all-time Georgia Southern chart with former teammate Paula Boixader. For the casual tennis fan, doubles appeals because of the shorter points and the more action that goes into a match.
"Singles, you just hit most of the time from the baseline, then build your point," Sonja said. "In doubles, you have to be very attentive because the points are so fast. And you have to be comfortable at the net. Once you hit the return, then you want to have both players at the net as soon as possible."
As Sonja looks ahead to her final couple of months as an Eagle, she reflects on her initial decision to make that journey across the Atlantic to come to Statesboro and join Georgia Southern.
"I've loved every moment," Sonja said. "It's like I'm sad and happy at the same time about graduating because I am so excited about my future. But I think my excitement and encouragement has to do with Georgia Southern and Coach [McCaffrey] giving me so much encouragement about my future. I'm happy with my decision four years ago and I would 100% recommend Georgia Southern - it's built me as a tennis player, but most importantly, built me as a human being to be ready for the future."
Players Mentioned
