Naples native Kaitlin Quevedo stuns Venus Williams at Madrid Open

NAPLES, Fla. (WINK)—A Naples native is making international headlines after defeating tennis legend Venus Williams at the Madrid Open.

Kaitlin Quevedo, a former Community School of Naples standout, picked up the biggest win of her young career. The 20-year-old turned an unbelievable moment into her first WTA 1000 victory.

"I couldn't have imagined it another way," Quevedo said. "I mean, first of all, it being against Venus made it, like, even more special."

The moment felt almost surreal even before the match began. Quevedo thought her coach was joking when he told her who she would be facing.

"When my coach told me he checked the draw and when he told me that I was playing Venus, I thought he was joking," she said. "And I was like, there's no way, like, out of everyone in the draw, I get to play Venus."

The Naples native admits stepping onto the court against a legend was intimidating. She described Williams as tall and imposing, noting that not many people can say they've played against Venus Williams.

"She's definitely intimidating," Quevedo said. "She's very tall, she's and she is who she is. You know, she's a legend of the sport."

Once the match started, Quevedo focused on staying present rather than thinking about winning or losing. She tried to block out the stadium, the people, the noise and the music to concentrate on herself.

Quevedo recalled her start in Southwest Florida and how far she's come. When she was at Community School of Naples, she was only dreaming and wishing to be in situations like this in the future.

"My younger self would be like, so happy and so proud," she said.

Now based in Barcelona, Quevedo says the journey is all part of chasing something bigger. She's excited to keep going, to keep experiencing new things and to enjoy amazing moments like her victory over Williams.

"They don't happen every day," she said.

Quevedo won't have much time to celebrate. She's back on the court Thursday, facing world number 30 Haley Baptiste as she looks to keep her run going in Madrid.