Finally back in action, senior Scarlett Nicholson has begun her first eligible season as a Gator.
In fall 2025, Nicholson transferred from Georgia Tech to Florida, coming in ranked No. 16 nationally. She played as a Yellow Jacket for the first three years of her college career, during which she accumulated multiple collegiate honors such as 2025 All-ACC Singles First Team, 2025 ITA Southeast Region Player to Watch, and All-ACC Academic Team in both 2024 and 2025.
But as excited as she was to represent the Gators, Nicholson was forced to sit out of the spring season due to transfer portal regulations.
“I love playing in the spring,” she said. “That’s why it was so hard to sit out last season, because that's my favorite part of the year.”
In preparation for her first outing as a Gator, Nicholson made sure to keep up with her training throughout the summer in order to be in top form entering the fall.
She worked on staying as fit as possible and battling the unrelenting Florida humidity on the court.
“I knew it was gonna be super hot and rough here in Florida,” Nicholson said. “My main goal was just to get in as best shape as I can, and that will hopefully allow me to work on the more tactical parts of my game because I’m not dying between sets.”
Now with the preseason underway, she is eager to begin her journey on court as a Gator, having played her last collegiate match over a year ago.
“I’m super excited because this is going to be my first time actually playing with the coaches on my court,” she said. “I wouldn’t say I'm nervous, just really excited to see how it goes.”
Nicholson made her first outing at ITA All-Americans this past weekend. She competed in doubles with fellow teammate Jana Hossum, which marked the pairings first match as a tandem.
In the prequalifying round, the pair rallied for the win against Oklahoma’s Laura Brunkel and Chloe Noel, 2-6, 6-2, 1-0 (10-8). However, in the Round of 16 prequalifying draw, they fell to LSU’s Xi Ni and Tegan Bush, 6-4, 6-4.
As the pre-season continues and spring approaches, Nicholson is looking forward to the SEC competition she will face, with some of the most notable matches coming against Auburn and Georgia.
Each conference clash will bring high intensity, and Nicholson is ready to experience the stellar crowds and school spirit Florida is known for.
“I think that’s a great opportunity,” she said. “It would be really exciting to have that atmosphere.”
Contact Alisa Gershman at agershman@alligator.org. Follow her on X @angershman.
Alisa Gershman is a freshman biotechnology major working as the women's tennis reporter this semester. In her spare time she enjoys playing tennis, baking, and hanging out with friends. Go Birds!
