Wingspan: When and why did you start playing tennis?
Krishna: “I started 12 years ago when I was four. I started because my Dad was a tennis player so he introduced me to it. I just picked up a racket and that was (it).”
Wingspan: What do you like about tennis?
Krishna: “I feel like I’ve been playing for so long that sometimes I forget why I play it. Honestly, (I like) the competition and the mental aspect of the sport. It makes you stronger as a person because it’s such a mentally tough sport. I’m a doubles player so I love playing doubles with my friends; that is the most fun part of being on the team.”
Wingspan: What is the hardest part about playing tennis?
Krishna: “The mental aspect is super tough. There was a point in time where I got burnt out after ten to 11 years of playing. I hated the competition (and) I started hating the sport. The mental aspect can be tough, but (also) learning how to deal with that and overcoming it.”
Wingspan: How did you overcome those challenges?
Krishna: “I took a break. I used to play recreational and for school, but I quit my club outside of school. Taking that break over the summer really helped. Getting back into tennis made me realize how much I like being on the team and playing with my friends. (I started) focusing on the fun of it more than the competition.”
Wingspan: Who has been your biggest inspiration?
Krishna: “(Probably) my dad because he’s been the coach I’ve had all my life. He’s been coaching me since I started.”
Wingspan: What have you learned from playing tennis?
Krishna: “(I learned) how to stay calm in pressure situations, how to stay mentally tough and not let things get to (me) – (I learned) how to push through.”
Wingspan: What are your goals for this season? What are you doing or plan to do to achieve those goals?
Krishna: “This season, I’m playing doubles with my doubles partner and I think our goal is to work together as a team more and communicate more. (I want to) get through districts (and) not lose in the first round. Honestly, with my doubles partner it’s just about having fun and keeping the competition alive. We do this through match playing practices, our coach will set up matches of people on our team (and) that’s how we practice.”
Wingspan: What advice would you give to someone who wants to do tennis?
Krishna: “I would say, go for it because tennis is a sport you can pick up at any age and it’s a sport you can play until you’re old. It’s a sport you can play for fun, you don’t have to play competitively. The advice I would give is you have to be aware that if you start playing competitively, you have to learn how to manage your time (and make sure) you’re prioritizing other things other than your sport. (You have to learn) how to not become hyper fixated on the competition all the time.”
