Heads turn from side to side, as the tennis ball leaves senior tennis player Gabby David’s racquet at speeds higher than 60 mph.

David has been a varsity tennis player since her freshman year, but her journey with tennis began long before 2022. Born into a tennis family, David first stepped onto the court at just six years old.

“My dad’s probably my biggest influence and supporter because he played tennis and he’s the one that got me into it,” David said.

Her dad, Greg David shed light on his experience being her coach.

“I am always her Dad first… Ultimately, for me it’s about at the end of this journey will this have brought us closer as a family where we will have fond memories to look back on. That’s what’s most important to me,” Greg David said.

With her dad cheering her on, Gabby David has faced challenges head on and learned who to lean on.

“Right now I’m in a huge mental block confidence wise and losing matches that I shouldn’t be losing and it’s kind of making me question a lot about my game… but, I have the best support system ever, so they’re really helping me get through that right now,” Gabby David said.

As part of her support system Greg David has witnessed her growth in handling these challenges.

“I think a lot of younger athletes can let their emotions impact their performance during competition. In the last couple of years Gabby has matured a lot as an athlete, resulting in having more poise under pressure and being able to think her way through matches much more effectively,” Greg David said.

Despite her setbacks, Gabby David balances playing in the national circuit for the United States Tennis Association out of a club in LaGrange, with high school tennis.

Her hard work has been reflected in her career where she has achieved the IHSA all-state award freshman, sophomore and junior year. Her recent tournament against DGN resulted in her 100th career win.

“There is an expression that I love that says that everyone loves the view but few love the climb; Gabby has always understood you need to put in the work. Whether it’s waking up at dawn to go to the gym to work on strength and fitness, staying longer after practice, training on off days to keep improving or dialing in her sleep and nutrition. I do think people notice that and appreciate all the extra work that goes into the results,” Greg David said.

The hours of extra practice and going to the gym in the morning paid off when David committed to the women’s division I tennis team at Lehigh University in the summer of 2025. This team’s mission is to help athletes reach their full potential

“Playing for a division one program, obviously, that’s going to be difficult, so I’m going to try and play the best I can. I know we’re in a builder program… There’s a lot of good recruits coming in, so hopefully we’ll play well as a team, and hopefully I’ll make a higher part of the lineup,” Gabby David said.

Aiming to pursue chemical engineering, her commitment opened the door for her to get into a top 100 engineering program. Before she leaves for college however, Gabby David looks forward to finishing her high school tennis career alongside her family.

“I get to play a little bit more with my sister in doubles. I get to just enjoy my last year of high school,” Gabby David said.