Darin Stojanovic - Has found the love of playing competitive tennis

We caught up with Darin Stojanovic out of the TennisPhilly.com franchise.  

Darin has played an amazing 54 matches in under a 1 year period of time. He started his journey during his early 40’s in the summer of 2022.

What do you love about tennis?

Tennis gives me the right balance in the amount of cardio while enjoying the sport.  I set goals and tennis keeps me mentally challenged.   The fun part is wearing the bright neon shirts.

How long have you participated in your league?

This is my first year that I started playing competitively in the leagues.

How did you first learn about it?

I started taking lessons at the Legacy Youth Tennis and Education.  After a few clinics, other players suggested I try Tennis Philly.

How often do you play?

I play three to four times a week. 

What do you like most about the league?

The players in the league tend to have a lot more experience and they always offer tips for other players to improve their game.

Tell us about your most memorable match(es).

My most memorable match is when I play someone with a similar skill level.  I played the longest two sets with my opponent over the summer.   I needed a two-point difference to win the first and second set.  After many deuces, in the second set, I hit a heavy backhand down his right side wide in the court to win the final point.  

Who are your favorite rivals in the league? Why?

I didn’t have that many repeat matches yet.  I will get there eventually.

Do you have any other interesting comments about your experiences with the league?

As the daylight slowly goes away in the evening games, we still keep playing for the love of the sport.

How did you get started playing tennis?

My parents started me with weekly tennis lessons after elementary school classes ended.

Do you play to compete, or for fun?

I want to compete and have fun at the same time!

What level player are you? (NTRP rating)

2.5

Who are your favorite pro players? Why?

Nadal and Federer. I enjoy the amazing shots that these two players make.  They also display good character during their matches and that is more important than winning the match.

Tell us a little bit about yourself, for example: What do you do? Where did you grow up? What are your hobbies?

I grew up abroad. Currently I reside in Philadelphia with my wife and two small Chihuahua mixes. I stay active with activities such a biking and taking the wife and dogs on the trail.  Travel for warm beaches is always on my mind such as south Florida.

Eric Dosal - Future Advanced player?

We caught up with Eric Dosal out of the Tennis-Miami.com community!  Here's his story. 

I grew up in Miami, went to college at Babson College in Boston, then made my way to Wall Street to work in Finance for a few years before coming back home to Miami to join the family business.  It's been 20+ years since I came home and during that time I have been working with my family (mostly my brother) starting, selling & operating different businesses in the technology space.  Currently I spend my professional time running Compuquip Cybersecurity, a cybersecurity consulting practice. 

Which league are you a member of?

I am currently a member of the Tennis Miami Competitive2 (3.25) League but a future member of the Elite & Advanced (4.0) League (wink wink!)

How long have you participated in your league?

This is my 2nd full season as I was recovering from an injury that kept me out of 2 other seasons earlier this year.

How did you first learn about it?

A friend of a friend told me about Tennis Miami when I was looking for regular matches to improve my skills.  I was tired of playing the same people over and over without any structure.

How often do you play?

My goal is to play twice during the week and once on the weekend which ends up being about 2 to 3 times per week depending on scheduling and how my body holds up. 

What do you like most about the league?

I love the structure of the league which allows you to schedule matches based on your availability vs a required day of the week as other leagues have.  And I love the tracking of scores and rankings for the league so you can see how you’re playing compared to others in your league.

Tell us about your most memorable match(es)?

I had one match against someone that played mostly junk balls and frustrated me to the point I wanted to scream and smash racquets.  But I learned more in that match about the mental game and patience than any other time.  Outside of the league, just recently I played a match with my brother while we were in Park City, Utah in December in a “bubble” they put over the outdoor courts since there was 2ft of snow outside.  Playing at high altitude totally changes the game.

Who are your favorite rivals in the league? Why?

I don’t have many rivals but Jesus Gonzalez is who I’ve played with the most and it's always fun to play against him.

Do you have any other interesting comments about your experiences with the league?

I feel like it's a big community and I’ve seen some players advance to other leagues and thought “that means I know I can do it too”.  Everyone is extremely friendly and I’ve never had a bad experience on the court.

How did you get started playing tennis?

My mother started me playing tennis when I was very young, however I chose baseball over tennis and played baseball through college.  I didn’t pick up tennis again for another 30+ years in 2021 when I wanted some “fun exercise” outside.  I have been playing regularly ever since.

Do you play to compete, or for fun?

A little of both.  I have a lot of fun on the court and love the calorie burn.  But the competitive nature of the sport feels great, I feel like a kid when I’m out there chasing balls down.

What level player are you? (NTRP rating)

I have never had an official rating but from everything I have read and other tournaments I’ve played I would comfortably say I’m at a 3.5 level.

What do you love about tennis?

I love the fitness aspect, the mental challenge, the opportunity to compete, the fact you can’t think about anything else on the court, and the social aspect. 

Who are your favorite pro players? Why?

I’m a big fan of anyone with a single handed backhand because that’s what I have so guys like Tsitsipas, Dimitrov, Musetti, Theim, Wawrinka, and of course Federer.  Besides that I’m a fan of Taylor Fritz (currently the top American), Nick Kyrios (excitement on the court), Casper Ruud (his playing demeanor), and Jack Sock (doubles skills),

When I’m not playing tennis I love to workout, I love to read, I love to spend time with my family which includes my amazing daughters and my incredible wife (who also plays tennis).

 

Roberto Olivares-Amaya - Really enjoying the community in East Bay

Tell us a little bit about yourself, for example: What do you do? Where did you grow up? What are your hobbies?

I grew up in Mexico City. I spent about 12 years in the Northeast, mainly in the Boston area. In late 2019 I moved to Berkeley, CA, where fortunately there are plenty of public tennis courts. I moved right before the pandemic. That's where the League became a lifeline to get back to playing tennis all-year round. 

When I'm not playing tennis, I'm doing long distance running or doing hikes alongside my wife. Just as I like playing long matches, you can probably see me reading novels or watching movies at the local theaters.

Professionally, I'm a chemist who became a machine learning scientist. So I spend my work hours doing programming working in the biotech industry.

Which league are you a member of?

EastBay Tennis

How long have you participated in your league?

I've been a member since August, 2021

How did you first learn about it?

I looked up leagues online and was lucky to found Tennis East Bay!

How often do you play?

I try to play 3 matches a week

What do you like most about the league?

I really like the sense of community it builds. 

Tell us about your most memorable match(es)

I remember the championship match for the Advanced 1 League over the summer. There's also been memorable matches where it all boils down to a tiebreaker. The League is so competitive that we've all been in good wins and losses where we have to hand it to the other player.

Who are your favorite rivals in the league? Why?

It's hard to call them rivals because we're all so friendly to each other. We have a band of lefties in the league: Diego Roig, Charlie Mintz, Eric Smith, and Ben Kleinman that has made it a lot of fun. Tomás Perez's and Eric Katerman's sage advice has made the EBTL better. Last Matty Moss's play has kept all of us on our toes.

How did you get started playing tennis?

I started playing tennis when I was young in Mexico. I never made past local tournaments, but did have fun in plenty of summer camps.

Do you play to compete, or for fun?

I play to have fun, but the league's competitive spirit keeps me on my toes.

What level player are you? (NTRP rating)

4.25 

What do you love about tennis?  

I love the aspect of self-improvement in tennis. While we play matches, we aim to improve every single one of our shots, and trying to win. All of these aspects come together like a jigsaw puzzle. 

But more to the point, a well-constructed point is a thing of beauty.

Who are your favorite pro players? Why?

Roger Federer, for his style of play. He's also a player that as he aged, he continued improving and changing his game.

Praveen Nair - Tennis is a Gentlemen's Game

We caught up with Praveen Nair out of JacksonvilleTennisLeague.com and this is his story.

What do you love about tennis?  

Tennis is a gentleman game. No arguments, no fights and always friendly. I love the fact that it requires strategy and physical fitness and provides some good exercise. It seems to be a very simple game when you look at how Roger Federer plays, but when you play, realize how much effort is required to play and win a tennis match. Another good thing about tennis is, it only requires 2 people unlike Cricket Match which requires coordinating 11 people.

Which league are you a member of?

I am part of Jacksonville Tennis League.

How long have you participated in your league?

It’s been only a year I have been part of this excellent tennis community however it feels like I know everyone in my group for ages.

How did you first learn about it?

Jacksonville Tennis League was referenced to me by one of my friends, Mr. James Pudner, a wonderful person and very nice athlete who also happens to live in my own housing community, for getting tennis practice as it was becoming increasingly difficult to get people to play tennis very often.  What a wonderful step I taken! I was flooded with a lot of good people who were very accommodating and very reaching out to play tennis.

How often do you play?

I play very regularly, I tried to finish 20-25 games per season, provided our seasonal Florida weather permits it. I always try to play same person twice and if we have split, try to play one more time. The number of friendships I make along the way helps me to keep playing and learning from everyone.

What do you like most about the league?

One of the most likable parts of this league is the people and the way you can schedule games. The rules do encourage everyone to play more.  I felt everyone is very respectful and helpful.

Tell us about your most memorable match(es)

I do remember some great games. Some of them I win and some of them I lost. One of the games I remember most is when I got defeated by an elite player, John Kim, who was very thorough with his shot selection and execution. But that game become so memorable because even though he was winning, he was very respectful to me and was trying to make the game very interesting. 

Who are your favorite rivals in the league? Why?

I love some friendly rivalries. I had multiple games with Scott (Winfield) & Pushpjeet. Everyone is so talented that any given day the game can go either way. So, a little bit of sporty rivalries always helps to focus more.

Do you have any other interesting comments about your experiences with the league?

One of the nice things I remember was that I had a game with Abdur on hot Florida day at around 3:00 PM and I was really struggling against the sun as I did not have a hat. Abdur was very nice enough to gift me a brand-new hat. How nice of him! These small gestures make bigger impact in our life and thoughts!

I want to say the thanks to the organizers of the league as well especially Steven. They are very accommodating and not micro-managing each game and people. It helps to build trust.

How did you get started playing tennis?

I never learned tennis professionally as kid. I picked tennis with the help of couple of friends as a hobby. And recently I had some coaching as well to improve my game.

Do you play to compete, or for fun?

I do play for fun but since I play a lot of games, I do compete as well. But most import thing for me is comfort and trying to give your 100% on that day.           

What level player are you? (NTRP rating)

I am rated between 3.5 to 4.0.

Who are your favorite pro players? Why?

Roger Federal. His simplicity and elegance are noteworthy. I do like Pete Sampras as well as he gives a good fight to Andre Agassi in my school days.

Tell us a little bit about yourself.  

I work in Information Technology field, originally from India, who used to spend a lot of time behind my desk. I used to be very obese (used to be around 249 lbs.) when covid as calamity hit us, it changed my perceptions and priorities. I started walking and slowly reduced my weight between 185-195 lbs. now. Now a days, my priority in life is to get outside my own home in the evening as much as possible and enjoy!

I do actively participate in lot of sports like Cricket (Every Sunday morning and I do play some league matches as well) and Soccer (every Sunday evening) and in any free time I play Chess tournaments online. I do have table tennis board in my dining room which I play with daughter as well. All other days are dedicated to tennis or walking, depends on courts availability.

My favorite place is the Beach where I can walk miles and miles and listen to music. And I love nature parks and being a frequent visitor to Jacksonville Arboretum, Jacksonville Zoo, Washington Oaks park, Jekyll Island, Mosh, NASA etc.

 

Bradley Tucker - Loves the Competitive aspect of the league

We caught up with Bradley Tucker out of the Virginia Beach branch.  In 22 matches he's fallen in love with this tennis community.

Which league are you a member of?

I’m a member of the Comp2 & Skilled division of Hampton Roads Tennis League. 

How long have you participated in your league?

I’ve been in my league since the start date of September 13th, 2022. 

How did you first learn about it?

I was researching stuff about tennis on google and I came across “Tennis league network Hampton roads”, clicked the link and now I’m in the league!

How often do you play?

I play 3-4 times a week. 

What do you like most about the league?

The thing I like most about the league is the price! It’s so cheap to play between 8-12 weeks and find a lot of friends in the process!

Tell us about your most memorable match(es)

My most memorable match would be my most recent one Vs Tim Krajewski. We both played an incredible match Vs each other while we both played strategically offensively and defensively, it tools us over 2 hours and 15 minutes to determine a winner after 3 sets and a total of 30 games!

Who are your favorite rivals in the league? Why?

I have not played anybody more than once yet, but I would have to say Tim will be my friendly rival because our skill level is so close to one another and while playing him, he really pushes me out of my comfort level and I have ti counter everything he sends my way which makes not just myself a better player, but hun as well!

Do you have any other interesting comments about your experiences with the league?

I just love the tennis community environment, everyone is so friendly and welcoming once meeting for the first time for a match. You would think you’ve know this person for quite some time even though you’ve only met them one time!

How did you get started playing tennis?

I got started playing tennis when my big sister wanted to compete Vs me, we always have been extremely competitive Vs each other in our lives. After playing a few matches, I feel in love with it and started playing with my wife and then got into this league!

Do you play to compete, or for fun?

I love to play the game of tennis for all the fun that’s involved, but I’m a very competitive person and I love the atmosphere of 2 people playing their hearts out for the W at the end of the match and for the championship at the end of the season. 

What level player are you? (NTRP rating)

My player rating is 3.0, I started at a 2.5 and quickly shot up as I have been practicing a lot and competing in a lot of games Vs other 3.0 & 3.2 rated level players!

What do you love about tennis?  

The thing I love about tennis is the skill you have to have to be a great tennis player, tennis is not an easy sport to master at all and there is so much fun behind creating your skills at practice for your future matches to become better and better. 

Tell us a little bit about yourself, for example: What do you do? Where did you grow up? What are your hobbies (besides tennis)?

I’m in the military, I’ve been in the military for 4 1/2 years and I will be pursuing a career in law enforcement in under 8 months in Saint Louis, Missouri. I grew up in Saint Louis, Missouri for 18 years before I went into the military. My hobbies are strength training, running and playing sports with my wife and friends in all different types of competitive leagues.

Hassaan Khawar - Tennis San Jose - Loves the Competition!

We caught up with Hassaan Khawar out of our San Jose community.   He's built an amazing 104-3 record. So needless to say he's an excellent player.  Here's his story.

Which league are you a member of?

TennisSanJose

How long have you participated in your league?

Since May 2021, so less than a year and a half.

How did you first learn about it?

I learnt about it from a friend who joined the league a few months before I did.

How often do you play?

I try to play 3-4 times a week to keep myself physically active.

What do you like most about the league?

The thing I like most is the opportunity to meet new people and make friends who share a common passion for tennis. I also really like the fact that the matches are scheduled based on the players’ availabilities and location preferences which makes it easy to plan ahead and try to play as many matches as desired.

Tell us about your most memorable match(es)

My most memorable match has to be my first Finals during the 2022 Winter Season, where I played Arjun Puranik. My previous match against Arjun was an intense 3-setter in which I managed to pull away with a 6-0 win in the third set. Going into my first Finals, I was feeling a lot of nerves and knowing that I’m playing someone as talented and competitive as Arjun, it only added to that. I went on to win the match 6-1, 6-3 which surprised me as I came into the match worried that the pressure might get the best of me. Winning that match gave me a lot of confidence going forward in my tennis career because I proved to myself that I can compete and play well even in high-pressure situations.

Who are your favorite rivals in the league? Why?

My favorite rivals in the league are Zeshan Anwar and Ekow Taylor. I initially picked up tennis in mid-2020 and the person I played with the most at the time was Zeshan. Zeshan is a friend that I’ve known for almost 20 years so all the matches I play against him in the league are special and give me a chance to earn some bragging rights. Ekow has been one of my greatest rivals ever since I played him first in April of 2021. In total, we’ve played 5 matches, 2 of which were in the Finals and two of which were 3-setters that went down to the wire. Whenever I play Ekow, I know I need to put my best foot forward otherwise his raw shot-making ability will leave me with no chance.

Do you have any other interesting comments about your experiences with the league?

As mentioned before, I started playing tennis seriously about two years ago and have been part of the league for less than a year and a half. Form the time I played my first match in the league on June 19, 2021 to today, I’ve managed to play over 100 matches and I must have played at least 50 different opponents. I’ve made some friends along the way that now I keep in touch with even outside of the league and I hope to continue to stay a part of the league and compete for as long as I can.

How did you get started playing tennis?

I started playing tennis after the COVID pandemic had began as many of the other sports that I enjoyed playing (i.e. basketball, soccer, cricket, etc.) were difficult to play due to the lack of social distancing in those sports. Luckily, at the time I had courts within my apartment community so it was very convenient for me to call my friend Zeshan over and play with him. A few weeks after starting to play, I had become addicted to the sport and began playing almost on a daily basis for an hour or two.

Do you play to compete, or for fun?

I definitely play to compete but that doesn’t mean I forget to have fun along the way.

What level player are you? (NTRP rating)

I’m not officially ranked in the NTRP rankings but I’d like to put myself in the 4.0 to 4.5 range.

What do you love about tennis?  

I love the competition about tennis. Most of the sports I played growing up were team sports and as much as I love competing in a team environment, tennis gave me a different platform where everything was dependant on how I performed on a given day. I also feel that tennis is an amazing workout without some of the high-impact or contact of sports like basketball or soccer, which can sometimes begin to take a toll on the body if played over a long period.

Who are your favorite pro players? Why?

My favourite pro player is Rafael Nadal. I love his fighting spirit and his focus during a match. He plays every point like his last and those are some of the characteristics that I admire in an athlete. Naturally, I am also very competitive and when I play, I play to win. But, losing is a part of every sport and every athlete needs to lose just as graciously as he/she loses which I think Nadal displays very well.

Tell us a little bit about yourself, for example: What do you do? Where did you grow up? What are your hobbies (besides tennis)? (Feel free to share any interesting details about your life.)

I was born in Pakistan and I moved to Canada at the age of 5. I completed my entire education in Canada and after obtaining my undergraduate degree in Mechatronics Engineering from the University of Waterloo, I moved to the Bay Area as a result of landing a full-time job here. Growing up, I loved playing various sports but most of all I enjoyed playing cricket. I competed at a fairly high level in cricket winning various awards at the high-school, university and city levels. I also enjoyed playing basketball a lot and I’ve been following the NBA very closely for over 10 years now. In general, I enjoy traveling, spending quality time with family and friends, and playing just about any sport.

Player Profile: Sanjeev Sridharan - 207 matches over the last 13 years

We caught up with Sanjeev Sridharan out of the Tennis-Seattle.com franchise.  He's played an amazing 207 matches since 2009 with our community.  13 Amazing Years of competitive play. Only a couple less than the admin.

What do you love about tennis?

Tennis is an individual sport and like life, how you do is only in your hands. You don't have teammates to make-up for your shortcomings. You own your success and failure. In summary, tennis is reflective of our lives.

How long have you participated in your league?

11 years. Started in tennis Boston, moved to Tennis Philly and then to tennis Seattle.

 

How did you first learn about it?

Online.

 

How often do you play?

Twice a week.

 

What do you like most about the league?

Play competitively against good players with different varieties in styles.

 

Tell us about your most memorable match(es).

Nick Sunderland in the Seattle league probably has the most # of matches, wins, and winning percentage. He holds a 10-1 record against me. My memorable match is the one time I managed to win against him in 2019. I had to save two match points and had to be completely in the zone on every point to win that match in a 10-point tiebreak in the third. 

 

Who are your favorite rivals in the league? Why?

Nick Sunderland and Dharam Patule in the Seattle league because our matches are typically competitive and even if I lose I come out with a feeling that playing them has improved my game for the better.

 

Do you have any other interesting comments about your experiences with the league?

I really like that the league incentivizes players to play more. Over the years, the league has gotten more competitive with a lot of good players with different styles. It has been great to test my game against all such players. 

 How did you get started playing tennis?

My aunt introduced me to a tennis coach when I was in fifth grade in my hometown, Chennai, India.

Do you play to compete, or for fun?

Both. My goal is not to win but to compete well.

 

What level player are you? (NTRP rating)

4.0.

  

Who are your favorite pro players? Why?

Hands-down, Novak Djokovic. In my mind, he is not only the greatest tennis player of all time but the greatest athlete of all time. I have never seen any athlete with a greater mental strength than his. 

 

Tell us a little bit about yourself, for example: What do you do? Where did you grow up? What are your hobbies?

I grew up in Chennai, India. Incidentally it is a city that has a great tennis tradition. I learnt tennis between fifth and ninth grades but had a break from tenth grade till the end of grad school. I started playing again in the league in Boston before I moved for work in Philly and then to Seattle. I am a marketer. Besides tennis, I like to travel, hike, read non-fiction/biographies/autobiographies, and watch documentaries.

 

Player Profile: Jesse Pfeffer - Loves the Mental Aspect of the Game

We caught up with Jesse Pfeffer from the TennisBaltimore.com franchise and check out what he had to say:

What do you love about tennis?  

I love many things about tennis. First, the harder you work, the more you practice, the better you will become. There is no limit to how good you can become. Second, it is a very humbling game, there are three sets for a reason. You need to stay cool and collective and never let your ego get the best of you, doing so will make you lose. Don’t ever go into a match with the mentality that it is an easy win, it isn’t. Fourth, as much as it is great for your physical fitness, tennis is also a mental game and teaches you that if you put your head down you will lose but if you keep your head up and play your game you can fight through the toughest situations. Lastly, I have made numerous friends through tennis and hopefully lifelong friendships as tennis has no age limit.

Which league are you a member of?

TennisBaltimore

How long have you participated in your league?

This is my first year, second season. I played Spring Season 2 in the Skilled division.

How did you first learn about it?

A friend of mine who I hit suggested that I join.

How often do you play?

I try to play matches three (3) times a week and hit two (2) days a week.

What do you like most about the league?

Great players and great people. The ability to schedule your own matches is great too.  Have a made a lot of friends.

Tell us about your most memorable match(es)

I developed a friendly rivalry with a certain player. I am 3-0 against him but every match has gone to a very close tiebreaker.

Who are your favorite rivals in the league? Why?

Chris Ozog, he has a very unorthodox game that can throw off even a seasoned player. He uses heavy spin on 50% of his shots. 

Do you have any other interesting comments about your experiences with the league?

It has been a great experience so far. I like that I can play as much as I want. It has been great getting to know everyone.

How did you get started playing tennis?

I started playing tennis casually at a young age through high school. Played a bit in college. Did not start playing matches until last summer when a friend of mine suggested that I join the league.

Do you play to compete, or for fun?

Both, however, the competition is what drives me. I have played high level competitive sports for most of my youth. One thing about tennis is it takes a lot of work and a lot of practice to improve. That is why I try and play every day and watch film. The love for the game and the drive to improve my game fuels my competitiveness. At the same time, I play tennis because I enjoy it and because it is a fun sport. 

What level player are you? (NTRP rating)

3.5 NTRP (USTA rating from the leagues I have been in)

Who are your favorite pro players? Why?

Active Player- Rafael Nadal. In my opinion he is the greatest player of all time from a pure game perspective and mentality perspective. He is an incredible athlete, and his strong mental toughness is what sets him apart as it did in the Australian Open this year. It would be so easy to throw in the towel, however he kept his head up, played his game and won three straight sets. Also, Nadal never gets angry and never smashes his racquet which are two things I admire and do as well. I think it is a complete disgrace to the game when a racquet gets smashed.

 

Retired Player- Andy Roddick.

Lorenzo Wright: How the Game of Tennis Changed My Life

We caught up with Lorenzo Wright playing out of TennisHamptonRoads.com league.  The Virginia Beach / Norfolk tennis League. He has an amazing 25-2 record in his career with our program.

How did you get started playing tennis? 

I grew up in a poor neighborhood in Louisiana where all there was to get into was trouble. I didn’t fit in with my peers so I stayed to myself. However, that was a lonely place. One day, I saw these people playing tennis at a park and I was immediately intrigued. I sat on the bench and watched them play for hours. Who knew what that would lead to! It then became my habit. I would go to that same park and just watch people play for hours upon hours. Some of the people would kindly invite me on the court and teach me the fundamentals of the sport and that really sparked my interest.

One day after return from the court, I asked my father to buy me a tennis racquet. Sure enough, the next day, I had one. That was back in 2003 and I have been playing since then. For me, tennis is not just a sport. From that day on, it became a part of my identity because I finally felt a sense of purpose and belonging.

Recently, I had the opportunity to visit the International Tennis Hall of Fame in Newport, Rhode Island. It was a lifelong dream come true and afforded me the opportunity to play on grass! It was absolutely amazing and beautiful.

Tell us a little bit about yourself.

Originally from Louisiana  

Which league are you a member of? 

Tennis League Hampton Roads

How long have you participated in your league?

Since 2017. However, I took a five year hiatus and returned this year. During that hiatus, I played numerous in tournaments across the Hampton Roads area and in San Diego, CA as well.

How did you first learn about it? 

A friend.

How often do you play? 

At least three times as week.

What do you like most about the league? 

The flexibility of scheduling matches.

Tell us about your most memorable match(es): 

I’ve had roughly four matches that have gone the distance (either to seven games or a tiebreaker). These types of matches have been the most memorable for me because the ability to problem solve becomes critically important. Just a few points will make the difference.

In a match that I played back in April 2022, I won the first set 6-4, dropped the second set 6-7 despite having set points in my favor, and eventually won the match in a tightly contested third set tiebreaker.

When placed under the strongest pressure in matches,I take pride being able to meet the moment.

Who are your favorite rivals in the league? Why? 

Brandon Michale Askew and I feel like Josh Diadwick is about to enter that list. For Brandon, I admire his grit and focus on. For Josh, he presents a formidable challenge and I always like a challenge.

Do you play to compete, or for fun? 

Both. However, I prefer to play competitively.

What level player are you? (NTRP rating): 

4.5

What do you love about tennis? 

It’s a sport that requires mental toughness and there’s no one to rely on except yourself. You have to be able to problem solve in real time. Growing up, I suffered from low self-esteem. Tennis helped me with combatting that because as I got better at the sport, my belief in myself increased and that positively affected me not just on the tennis court but outside the line too. It helped with my interpersonal relationships. Integration into working with teams and peers and had influenced me a leader today.

Who are your favorite pro players? Why? 

Serena Williams and Rafael Nadal. Simply put, I love the fight the possess inside of themselves.