The fourth Open of the season did not disappoint. Hundreds of the best players in the country flocked to Hamilton, Ohio to compete for the crown. When the dust settled, there was only one left standing–Jacob Trzcienski.
Trzcienski picked up his first career Singles title after taking down the Pro & Elite field at the Hamilton Open this month. The second round-limited Open of the season saw him face off with Erick Davis in the finals, where he outlasted Davis 15-7 after 12 rounds.
Trzcienski is one of the most confident Pros in the entire division, claiming that confidence mixed with his recent victory over Erick Davis gave him an edge.
“I was pretty confident. Before the final four even started, I said, ‘If I get to Erick, I got it.’ I definitely have his number in Singles, so I wasn’t too nervous about anything.”
Trzcienski had an impressive run to the finals, taking down formidable names like Brandon Earls, Spencer Fabionar, Landen Crabtree, Eian Cripps, Levi Haddock, Zack Aiken, and Ethan Walker.
However, one thing was missing from his game–emotion. Trzcienski's typical fiery personality was nowhere to be found; he asserts it was purposeful.
“Just because it's an Open, I shouldn’t really get fired up, but also, it kind of throws people off. They’re kind of expecting me to get fired up.”
However, Trzcienski reassured that when the ACL Pro season kicks off in April, he won’t temper that fire. “If I feel as confident as I did during this Open, I’ll speak,” he affirmed.
While he looks to keep his run in Singles going strong heading into the Signature events this spring, he is also ready to compete in Doubles with new ACL Pro partner Jamie Graham.
Trzcienski has acquired three Doubles titles in his four-year career, two of them coming at the Signature level. He and Jamie are certain they will have a good season, as they both consistently produce high-PPR games.
“We’ve played in two tournaments together so far and they’ve both been round-limited. Honestly, we’ve just been waiting for a game to 21. I feel like both of us just put all four [bags] in every time. It's gonna be so hard to beat us. Some of these games are gonna go so long this year.”
Trzcienski believes Graham will help him stay calm and collected when he gets frustrated. “He’s pretty good with his words. He keeps me calm and tells me to stay chill. He keeps me level-headed better than anyone I’ve played with.”
While many players may focus on music, positive affirmations, or just a random spot on the court, he has other things on his mind. Tattooed on his arm, you’ll find the name Mema written in a calligraphic font, accompanied by a large rose.
Representing his grandmother, Trzcienski says it has been greatly helpful to his journey. “Whenever I have a bag in my hand, I look at that and it just fires me up,” he stated. “Even speaking about it now gives me goosebumps. It's probably one of my bigger things that tries to keep me focused.”
Trzcienski has plans to outwork everyone this season and is off to a good start already. His first career Singles win provided a huge relief psychologically. “I feel like I had a lot lifted off my shoulders from this win. I broke the ice for sure.”
With the weight off his shoulders, he says there is more to come, but don’t expect dinner and a show from him as the season progresses. “I’m just gonna stay quiet. I’m gonna put my head down and just keep working harder than everyone.”
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