Alyssa GregoryOn October 17th, the freshman doubles tennis team of Neil Kenner and Ari Rosenthal finished 4th overall at the Omni Hotels Small College Tennis Doubles Championships in Corpus Christi, Texas. This week, they sat down with us and answered our volley of questions about such subjects as their humble beginnings, favorite movies, and that oh-so-hot female tennis player.
Q: What was your experience like playing in the Small College Tennis Championships last week?
AR: It was a great experience because we got see some top-notch competition. We realized that we can definitely compete with anybody in the country, both individually and as a team.
NK: We learned that even though we are one of the best in the nation and can compete with those guys, we’ve still got a lot of stuff to work on. For me personally, in the games that I am serving, it’s important to make more first serves and first volleys. simple things like that
Q: Were you two surprised by the success you had?
AR: To be honest, we were happy with the results, but we definitely thought we could have done even a little better.
Q: So it’s fair to say you have high expectations of yourself?
NK: We do. If you look at our match against Emory in the semis, I know we could have beaten them. Ari knows that too. It was the same with the 3rd and 4th place matches also. We really feel like we can beat them the next time. I think it was good to just see what they were like and see how we stack up.
Q: How are you guys planning on staying in playing shape over the winter?
AR: We definitely like to hit individually. Neil loves to lift, so I’ll be doing that occasionally with him.
Q: How did you get interested in tennis?
NK: Actually, the only reason I started playing tennis was because my friend’s mom wanted him to start playing and she didn’t want him to start by himself. So she got me to go with him. I ended up liking it, and I guess I started getting better.
Q: Singles or doubles?
NK: Well, we will both be paying singles in the spring, but any way we can help the team is good for us.
Q: What is it like being such a big part of the team’s success as freshman?
NK: It feels good to be able to contribute right away. Our team is so solid this year, it’s nice to be a part of it.
Q: Are there any professional tennis players that you model your own playing style after?
NK: I’ve kind of modeled my game after a couple different players. I try to fight and compete as hard as hell like Lleyton Hewitt does. But the way I hit the ball and start my points is more like the Spaniards, like [Carlos] Moya.
Q: What’s your second favorite sport?
AR: Definitely basketball for me. The Lakers, yeah they’re the s***. It’s all about Shaq and Kobe. nobody can touch them.
Q: What do you think about Mark Cuban? If you were on the Mavs, would you be cool with him shooting around on court before your game?
NK: I love him. He’s awesome, the best owner in the NBA. That would be cool. I respect that he wants to get out there with us.
Q: What kind of music do you listen to?
AR: I like everything pretty much. Phish is my favorite band, but I like everything from rap to classical music.
Q: What is your most memorable moment in tennis?
AR: Well there was one tournament, a really big sectional tournament in Southern California, where I had injured my shoulder a month before. So I had to train really hard and qualify in order to get into the main draw. I was playing really well, and I beat some high seeds in the tournament. It made realize that I definitely can compete with anybody if I set my mind to it.
Q:What are some of your favorite movies?
AR: I’d say “The Big Lebowski”, “American Beauty”, and “Bottle Rocket”. “American Beauty” really changed the way I look at my life and the daily routine I that I live. “The Big Lebowski” is just hilarious. The more I watch it, the more I appreciate it. “Bottle Rocket” is just pretty much a quirky sense of humor movie. You’ve got to watch it a few times; the first time I saw it I didn’t like it, but the more I’ve watched it, the more I’ve liked it.
Q: What do you want to do after college?
NK: I don’t know really. I guess I want to do something that deals with people, not numbers. not doing to well with the numbers right now. Something in the business world, you know. and marry a beautiful wife.
AR: Yeah my plan is to marry a rich wife.
Q: What do you think of St. Louis?
NK: I haven’t really had the chance to get out and explore the real city. But from what I’ve seen, I like it. I think it’s only going to get better.
Q: How good do you think your team can be this year?
NK: I think we can be one the best teams in the division. I’m going to do my part and I know Ari will too. The guys on the team have shown that they are all hard workers. If we can do that and peak at the right time, I think we’ve got a shot at winning it all.
Q: If you could have dinner with any three people, who would they be?
NK: Andre Agassi, definitely. He’s been through everything in all the stages of his career. He’s got so much wisdom. I would be nice to be able to talk to him about it. Then, probably Anna Kournikova. she’s hot, and that would make a sweet date. And third, I’d say Sylvester Stallone. He’s just a badass actor and “Rocky IV” is my favorite movie, so…
Q: What keeps you motivated?
NK: I love the competition. The heat of the battle; that’s what I love. Also, I love it when people come out and support us, because it gives me that much more of a reason to try hard. I definitely feed off the fans.
Q: So should the student body take that as a message?
NK: Yeah, definitely! Everyone should come out and watch. It’s also intimidating for the other guys, so that helps us out.