1) 1) What do you miss most about College tennis?
Everything. I miss being part of a team and competing together. The camaraderie of the group and going to battle is something you can’t replicate once you graduate. Even though each person had the singular goal of winning their match, there was a larger goal everyone was working towards together. And to me, that’s a very fun dynamic. I’m a very competitive person and really enjoyed stepping onto the court and trying to beat the person on the other side. I also miss all of the great stories, both on and off the court, which emanated from having a great group of guys all four years. Being able to travel all over the country, sometimes to places I would never have gone to (nor go back to), was special.
2) What was your experience being a part of the Emory tennis team?
I think much of that is described above. But being on the team was a perfect complement to the other aspects of college life—academic and social (fraternity). Emory is a great school and the tennis team has a very strong tradition of top rankings. To be part of that, and to be able to represent both of those facets across the country is something I was, and still am, proud to do.
3) How was your experience as a freshman on the tennis team? If you have any regrets, what
would you do differently?
I don’t have any regrets nor do I think I’d do anything differently. I was able to be a main contributor as a freshman--which I think is all one could ask for in their first year. The older guys on the team helped me acclimate to the college tennis scene as well as help me navigate how to balance the tennis along with the rest of college. I definitely couldn’t have had the same experience nor has much fun without them.
4) What advice would you give to current players based on your experience?
I can’t stress enough that you need to relish every minute of being on the team, playing college tennis, and all o f the experiences that come with it. The wins, losses, travelling, competing, pranks and jokes, everything. Because for most people in this situation, once you graduate, you won’t have anything like it again. Even if you want to play on the tour, you’re out there by yourself and it’s a completely different situation.
I’d also take advantage of everything at your disposal. We had nothing like what is currently afforded to the current players. The facilities that you have now are unbelievable: from strength coaches, to indoor courts, to a varsity weight room, and much more. Get as much out of it as you can both on and off the court.
5) Do you feel that being a part of something that was bigger than yourself helped you with your experiences in the future?
I do. Tennis is a sport that usually isn’t a “team sport”. Normally you’re competing one-on-one and it’s all about you. Being part of a team—one piece of the puzzle—you learn to work with other people towards a common goal. You learn to be a team player which will help you when you enter the working world and have to work with others in almost every situation.
6) What were your accomplishments throughout your Emory career?
-Bridges Award
-McCord Award
-All-Time Great UAA Conference Team
-8 Time NCAA All-American
-All UAA all 4 years
-Most Valuable Player of UAA
-Won ITA Fall Regional twice
-Southern Region Player of Year
-UAA player of the week (numerous times)
7) You were ranked #1 among singles players during the spring season of your senior year. What is it like to be one of the best players in the nation?
It was an honor to be able to represent Emory tennis at the top of the rankings. I was proud to be able to be in a position to do so each year, and to help the team achieve all that we could.
8) What are you doing now?
I work at a real estate development and management firm.
9) Do you still play tennis regularly when you can?
I play about 2, maybe 3 times per month—which is a lot less than I’d like to be playing, but unfortunately it gets harder to play once enter the working world. Another reason why the current players need to enjoy today as much as they can.
10) Are you still in contact with your former teammates?
I keep in touch with a handful, but two that I speak to regularly are Jed Weinstein and Jason McCarthy.
11) What was your best experience with the team?
I’m not sure I can think of a singular experience that I’d classify as my best experience. Really just the time I spent with the guys each year, both on and off the court, were some of the best times in my life.
12) Who was your biggest rival as a player?
-Kayvon Fatahlian from Carnegie Mellon
-Sloan Rush, Trinity, Texas
-Josh Leftokovich, Williams
13) Everyone has a go-to shot or aspect of their game that they are known for, what was your go-to?
I think the strongest parts of my game were definitely my forehand, return of serve, and my footwork and conditioning.
14) What is your fondest memory of Coach Browning?
There were many great times and memories. Being able to be part of Coach Browning’s first team(s) at Emory and all of us working together with him in regards to figuring out how to fill the big shoes of Coach Schroer, as well as how to push Emory Tennis even further forward. Also the time he had us stay at a pig farm…yes a pig farm…during one of our road trips. I’m sure there are plenty more I could think of but this blog is only so big and family friendly J
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