One of the ATX Open’s first breakout stars announced today that she’s back to make another run at the title.

Peyton Stearns, who led the Texas women’s tennis team to NCAA titles in 2021 and 2022, said she’s eager to return to the city where she’s had so much on-court success. That includes last year’s inaugural ATX Open tournament at Westwood Country Club, where she won her first ATP tour match and advanced to the quarterfinals.

“Austin is my second home,” Stearns said in a statement. “The atmosphere was crazy. It was almost like back in a college match. I absolutely loved it.”

Stearns thrilled a packed crowd by winning her opening-round match last year in a three-hour marathon against Katie Boulter 7-6, 6-7, 7-6. She also beat Mirjam Bjorklund before falling to Katie Volynets in the quarterfinals.

After a year on the road that saw Stearns climb all the way into the top 50 of the WTA rankings and get nominated for the tour’s newcomer of the year award (won by Mirra Andreeva), she’s looking forward to the comforts of her college town.

“The biggest thing I look forward to returning to Austin is playing in front of a home crowd,” Stearns said. “The crowd absolutely helped me, (giving) me a Horn homecourt advantage. I felt the love and support. I remember having a match that went until midnight and there were still people there still cheering me on to the bitter end. You know, you can’t get that anywhere else.”

Stearns joins an ATX Open field that already includes Danielle Collins and Sloane Stephens, two-time Australian Open winner and former WTA No. 1 player Victoria Azarenka and Ajla Tomljanovic, who was featured in last year’s popular Netflix series “Break Point.” Victoria Jimenez Kasintseva has also earned a spot in the main draw.

The ATX Open begins with qualifying rounds on Feb. 24-25. Championship play begins on Feb. 26 with the final taking place on March 3.