Status: ATP 206.
Age: 24.
First Tennis Memory: “My first tournament at five years old, when I competed against a girl actually. We were playing eight and unders. (Win or lose?) Won. I remember my next match after I had a silver match actually – I only lost one point. So that was pretty cool as well. Second memory.”
Tennis Inspirations: “My older brothers coming up and playing. My former teammate at UVA, Mitchell Frank. His motivation inspired me a long my way in college. But obviously Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal, how they compete and handle themselves on the court.”
Last Book Read: “The Alchemist.”
Current Car: “2014 Camaro (white).”
First Famous Player You Met Or Encountered: “Maybe Sebastien Grosjean in Boca.”
Greatest Sports Moment: “NCAA two years ago, So far. When we won the NCAA for the first time in school history. Beat UCLA.”
Most Painful Moment: “2009 or maybe earlier, Orange Bowl semifinal against Ricardas Berankis, up 5-2 in the third and full body cramp. Retired. And went to the hospital for four days. Pretty painful.”
Strangest Match: “It happened in DC as well, Citi Open, against Smyczek.”
Funny Tennis Memory: “There are a couple of bad line calls from the referee that you just have to laugh at. Nothing other than that that I can remember.”
Embarrassing Tennis Memory: “I’m sure I probably whiffed on an overhead here or there or put a drop shot that hit my side of the court first.”
Why Do You Love Playing Tennis: “I love the feeling more than anything. I’m not a type of guy to go out and play tennis all day or watch tennis all day. I just love the feeling that it brings – preparing for a night match, competing at 5-all in the third. There’s certain feeling that give you a heightened sense of living that you don’t get anywhere else from life. That’s what I love about it.”
Favorite Sport Outside Tennis: “Basketball.”
Three Athletes You Like To Watch & Follow: “Roger Federer. Kevin Garnett. After that…then I like Ray Allen.”
Fiercest Competitors Encountered: “Ryan Harrison. Rhyne Williams. Mitchell Frank. Marcos Giron.”
Favorite Courts To Play: “Citi Open. They get the Washington crowd, they come out and watch, I get to hang out with my former teammates and coaches, just a great atmosphere. And I love those courts.”
Nickname: “Hands. When I was young, my aunt put a racquet in my hand and I was able to grip it from a really young age.”
People Qualities Most Admired: “Honesty. A bit of charisma. And just positivity. I like being around positive people, it makes you feel better about where you are and everybody wins.”
"Tennis gives you a heightened sense of living."
