Athlete of the Week-Amber Mercado

Amber Mercado

Amber Mercado, a senior at White County High School, has made a remarkable impact on the school’s courts and community in her short time as a member of the Warrior tennis team. Despite starting her tennis journey just three seasons ago, according to her coaches, Mercado has quickly become a vital part of the team.

“I started sophomore year, so this would be my third,” Mercado said and claimed that she had never touched a tennis racket before joining the team. “I never played before that, like with friends or family.”

Her rapid development and dedication to the sport and her team have not gone unnoticed, with her coaches praising her qualities both on and off the court.

“She’s the heart of the team — the kind of player who always has a smile, a word of encouragement, and a calm presence to lift everyone around her. Sweet and kind by nature, she makes new teammates feel welcome and ensures that no one ever feels left behind,” coach Amy Hawkins said. “She leads not with loud words but with steady effort and quiet determination. Whether she’s cheering from the sidelines or fighting from a tough rally, she shows what it means to support others and give your best. She has been an excellent addition to our team for the past three years.”

Coach Topher Wiles added to Hawkins’s praise, stating that Mercado is someone everyone wants on their team.

“Amber Mercado is the motivational boost you didn’t know you needed. Her demure smile and authentic care for her teammates and opponents lifts up those suffering from the challenging moods that athletics produce. Her senior year has been inspiring as she has battled through personal adversity to continue to learn and grow in this complex game,” Wiles said. “Every team needs a player like Amber to battle alongside you on your way to wins. We’re grateful for the three years she has invested into White County tennis.”

Mercado’s love for tennis lies beyond competition, and she said it was a part of her high school career she didn’t know she was going to need when she first started playing.

“It’s a great distraction. If you’re going through a lot, you can definitely get on court and forget or at least focus on the game,” she said, and then shared how tennis has helped her grow personally, especially as someone who considers herself quite introverted. “Joining the tennis team was very out of my comfort zone, and that helped me a lot to make friends and change my view on people. It made me more empathetic and understanding of different realities.”

Looking ahead, Mercado plans to pursue a degree in political science at Georgia Tech, with her sights set on attending law school—preferably Georgetown—and eventually practicing law. As she prepares to leave White County High School, Mercado’s journey exemplifies perseverance, kindness, and leadership—qualities that make her a true role model for her peers and a cherished member of the Warriors tennis team.

While Mercado does not plan to play tennis competitively anymore, it is something she said she hopes to continue being involved in on a casual level, saying that she enjoys both the sport and the people who play it.