Imagine being a high school tennis player and bumping into Roger Federer or sharing a locker room with the Williams sisters.

Courtney Dolehide can now carve that notch in her racket.

The Hinsdale Central senior is not playing high school tennis this fall. Instead she competed in the main draw of the doubles competition at the U.S. Open in New York which concluded last weekend. Teaming with Kristie Ahn of New Jersey, the duo dropped a 6-3, 6-2 decision to the eighth-seeded team of Bethanie Mattek-Sands and Nadia Petrova on Sept. 3.

“It was such a great experience,” said the 17-year old Dolehide, who returned home last week. “I still can’t believe I was there. My whole tennis career I’ve been dreaming about playing at the U.S. Open and I can’t believe it has already happened.

“It was really cool. The team we played was the eighth-seed. I’ve never played against anybody ranked so highly. It opened my eyes to what I need to improve on in my game to get to that level. It was a pretty close match though it finished 6-2, 6-3. There was a big crowd and everybody was cheering.”

Dolehide, a two-time IHSA doubles state champion at Hinsdale Central, later took part in the junior singles tournament where she won her first match by a 6-0, 4-6, 6-4 margin over Christina Dinu on Sept. 7. She also competed in junior doubles but fell in the opening round.

“It (the U.S. Open) was a different feeling,” she said. “At high school state, one similar aspect was having a huge crowd cheering. I am glad I played high school tennis for three years because it got me prepared for a big crowd. But what was very different was looking to the court next to you and seeing Maria Sharapova playing or looking around and seeing Arthur Ashe Stadium.

“Everybody that is important in tennis was there watching. It kind of made me nervous but it was good preparation if I hopefully make it back there.”

Dolehide did admit to having some jitters, though they quickly wore off once she and her partner started playing. And one thing is for certain, her experience not only made her want to play in more big tournaments but also gave a glimpse of improvements she must make to compete at the highest level.

“It definitely was more nerve-racking,” she said. “But once the match started we both stopped focusing on things around us and got in the zone and tried to have fun.

“I think it probably was the best thing for my tennis game to be there. Just seeing the fitness level of the top players and how it was significantly better than mine. Since I’ve been home, I’ve been working hard on my fitness. I’m really inspired to work my hardest to get back there. It was a great experience.”

Along with stepping on the court with the best, Dolehide was able to share the same locker room with the top players in the world.

“It was really interesting being there the first day,” she said. “I was kind of star-struck. Everywhere you went you would see the top players you see on television — Roger Federer, Andy Roddick. The Williams sisters lockers were right next by me. By the second and third day, I got more used to it.”

Dolehide will continue to compete in events in the near future with one scheduled for Alberquerque, N.M. this weekend and Las Vegas the next. She is hoping to take a break from tournaments sometime soon so she can concentrate on practice and her fitness level.
Then in the fall of 2010, the senior will head to UCLA to continue her career.

“I’ve always wanted to go pro,” said Dolehide, who was also looking at Northwestern, Stanford and Berkely. “I’m a huge advocate of ‘I can improve more and I really want to go to college and get an education and have that experience.’

“The coaches there are great and I will still play tournaments in the summer. I wanted to go and play outdoors. ... I’m really excited.”

And just because Dolehide has gotten a taste of the pro circuit doesn’t mean she has forgotten where she came from. She admits to missing high school tennis and, more importantly, her teammates. She hopes to be in attendance as the Red Devils go for their fourth consecutive state title, a streak she has played a big part in.

“It was so much fun,” said Dolehide, who currently is doing her school work online but will return to Central for the second semester. “I really had a great time at our pasta parties and practice was really fun. I definitely miss it.

“I am still friends with a lot of the girls on the team and I see them all of the time when I am at home. And hopefully if I am not traveling, I’ll be able to go to sectionals and state and support them.”