I did not grow up playing just tennis as a kid. I played 9 years of rugby and did a few years of boxing, participating in a couple amateur fights along the way. I love football, basketball and hockey.  I have an interest and appreciation of all sports.

So, why have I played tennis full-time since I was 7? Why do I continue to live and breathe it? I suspect it’s why you do....PASSION!  I am passionate about a sport that is primarily individual, even though there is doubles and you need a hard working team environment to excel. I love the fact that if you screw up it's on you. No subbing when tired, no relying on a teammate, no time limit, no protection against the elements. You have to deal with controversy, tournament officials, crazy fans, other players, and the list goes on. There is a feeling of empowerment when you rise above the situation, dig deep, man up and take on the challenge. And if you don't win you get to learn from it or, more realistically, it eats away at you. You dream and relish the opportunity to play the same kids again to reverse the outcome. I learned from losses because I like to win. 

A true tennis player knows why this sport is the toughest. The anticipation and technique returning a 135 mile an hour serve with the touch and timing of a magician, the movement and agility it requires to track down a 100 mile an hour forehand and rip a winner by your enemy (I mean opponent).  There’s no off season. You train 5-6 days a week, on and off the court. The arduous travel schedule challenges you emotionally, physically, mentally and financially.  The preparation, nutrition, and mental training needed to compete at the highest level is intense. Tennis stirs the emotional animal within and it's truly in my blood.  Is it in yours?

Athletic DNA- it's in your blood.

-Dan