ATHLETE SPOTLIGHT: Jordan Alvarez, Tennis

Basic Information

Name: Jordan Alvarez
Grade: 11
Sport: Tennis
Age Started Playing: 14

Questions

How would other people describe you as an athlete?

I feel like they wouldn’t expect it because I’m a big person in tennis.

How and why did you start playing?

I started playing because it was fun and it was really different from any other sport like football.

Describe how you prepare before a game/tournament.

I try to go in clear minded, in a good mood because if I am stressed about the whole thing I know I won’t play well and I’ll start overthinking everything.

For people that have never played your sport, what do you think the average person gets wrong about it?

They think it’s just hit hard and run fast, when it’s more about technique, it’s about how you move your wrist, how calm you are, and the way you position yourself. It’s like playing chess, but with a person.

Tell us about your favorite memory as an athlete either on or off the field.

Just before and after games just being around my friends, just being outside of school and enjoying the time we have together.

Tell us the story about what you are most proud of yourself for.

I’m most proud of myself for actually sticking to it and being dedicated as much as I am off season as I am during the season.

As an athlete, who is someone you are thankful for and why?

The seniors who have graduated now, they really showed me how to actually think about tennis.

What advice would you give to your younger self when you began playing?

To spend and invest more money in it because it’ll help, it’ll go a long way.

What’s on your sports bucket list?

To make it out of high school and get into college for tennis.

Favorites

Team/Sport Ritual or Tradition: The food after we finished the games
Pre-Game Meal: One of the seniors sandwiches
Post-Game Meal: Canes
Exercise: Shadow Swings, it’s where you swing the racket with no ball
Practice: Going out and swinging with a friend
Hype Music: Gangnam Style
Sports Movie/TV Show: “Young Sheldon” by PSY
Coach: Coach Seale