For three years, Briarwood Christian School tennis player, Madelyn Hunt, competed on an unstable knee without knowing the true cause of her pain. Despite having constant symptoms, she went undiagnosed with a torn ACL and meniscus, forcing her to adapt to her sport while unknowingly risking herself with further injury. Hunt found hope when she sought a second opinion from UAB Sports & Exercise Medicine and orthopaedic sports surgeon, Amit, Momaya, M.D.
"Dr. Momaya immediately confirmed what was actually wrong with my knee", said Hunt. "For the first time, I had confidence in my diagnosis and know there was a plan to get me back."
Once Hunt received her diagnosis, it became a challenging and difficult road. Surgery and months of rehabilitation kept her off the court for nearly a year, but with support from Dr. Momaya, physical therapist Terri-John (TJ) Whitworth, and the entire UAB Sports & Exercise Medicine team, she steadily regained her strength and confidence.
“I’m not quite sure I can pick one team member that impacted me the most,” said Hunt. “Dr. Momaya had a large impact on my injury because he provided me with confidence within my diagnosis, surgery, and post-surgery. His unwavering faith and determination to get me back on the court stronger than before was something I had never come in contact with. Additionally, TJ [Whitlock] was the one who saw me 3 days a week from the very beginning. I’m honestly not quite sure where I would be today without her knowledge and love for me. She pushed me to my limit but wanted nothing but the best for me!”
The hard work paid off in the end. During her senior season, she achieved a 26-1 record, won the 2026 AHSAA Class 5A Doubles State Championship, finished as the Class 5A Singles State Runner-Up, and earned the opportunity to continue her tennis career at Samford University this fall.
“I have never felt stronger, more sturdy or more powerful on the court. I can move around on court with ease and certainty that my knee will not give out.”
Looking back, Hunt says recovery was as much mental as physical.
“The best advice I can give someone going through the same recovery as myself is that you need to believe you can get back to your sport. Your mentality approaching recovery is the most critical part because it will set the tone and productivity of your steps to healing.”