University of Georgia Athletics
Drake's Take: This Is Georgia Men's Tennis
November 10, 2010 | Men's Tennis
Nov. 10, 2010
Drake Bernstein is a senior captain on the men's tennis team. This is the first installment of his bi-weekly blog "Drake's Take." In this entry Bernstein introduces the 2010-11 team, which recently concluded its fall season.
First off, let me start by saying this is my first blog, so be patient with me! I have always seen and followed blogs, but never written one of my own. I hope that I will be able to keep everyone posted on the University of Georgia men's tennis team and what goes on behind the scenes, because we truly have some characters on the team.
Growing up in Winder, Ga., I have always been around the Dawgs and the tradition that surrounds the Bulldog Nation. However, I never knew that I would be lucky enough to have the opportunity to be a student athlete at a school with such great tradition. Being a senior now, I have been a part of teams that have accomplished many things that most young tennis players can only dream of, such as making a run to the finals of the National Indoors my sophomore year, reaching the final four of the NCAA Tournament here in Athens my junior year, and winning SEC and NCAA Championships my freshman year. What makes these years so special are not the end results we had, but the teammates, coaches, and supporters we have had in doing so.
In past years, we have always had a close group of players on the team, each willing to make huge sacrifices for the person next to him. Although we have seven new players (compared to only four returners) on the team this fall, everyone has made great adjustments for the team and truly given everything they have into improving as tennis players and as teammates. While we have players from California to Europe to Africa, we all share one common thing: a love for the game of tennis.
I could not ask for a better freshman class as a senior. The four freshmen have done a great job carrying the upperclassmen's trays in the dining hall and picking up balls after practice, but where they have really excelled is on the tennis court. Eric Diaz is the son of Manuel Diaz (our coach) and has made a statement by making huge steps in his tennis game this fall already. Unfortunately I can't say the same thing about his ping-pong game. Garrett Brasseaux is our player from the Bayou region who will definitely be making huge contributions over his next few years here. Campbell Johnson hails from California and has the typical, relaxed SoCal attitude anywhere except for on the court, where he is one of the biggest fighters I have ever seen. Our last freshman, Hernus Pieters, is from a small farm town in South Africa. I know what you are thinking: how can someone from a small farm in Africa be good at tennis? Well, to be honest, I am still asking that question, but can promise you he will be doing great things in the Red and Black for four years!
Next is the sophomore class, made of up a so-called Texan named Will Oliver and a blondie from Chattanooga, Tenn., Will Reynolds. (Yes, two Wills...just wait, there is more.) "Will O," as we call him, is quite possibly one of the funnest people I have ever met. We played doubles during the NCAA Tournament last year and as a freshman he did a great job of helping everyone stay cool and relaxed on the court. I have known Will R. since I was 12 when we played in a tournament in Macon. Since Will and I have remained great friends, I will not share the score of that match. :) Will R. stepped in during last year's NCAA Tournament and played some amazing matches against the toughest players in the country. Even today, I think about how cool it is that we played almost 10 years ago against each other, but now we are on the same team competing for an NCAA title in may.
The junior class is comprised of three transfers, all of which are gifts to our program. Ignacio Taboada is from Atlanta, though if you see him in a social setting he may put on a fake Spanish accent to try to win your heart. Ignacio is another player who I grew up playing with my whole tennis career. I wish that he chose Georgia for his first two years of college, but I am still thankful now that he chose to be a part of the Bulldog Nation as he is a true Dawg on the inside. Sadio Doumbia is from France, and if you meet him, he will probably tell you that: a) He is French and b) The French are the best at everything... within the first 30 seconds of shaking his hand. Fortunately for us, he is extremely talented and dedicated to improving and we are all excited to see him compete in the spring after the solid fall results he has enjoyed. The third transfer is Wil Spencer (Yes a third Will), who is originally from Florida. While he was at Texas A&M he was ranked as high as eighth in the NCAA singles rankings and has proven himself as one of the best players in the country still as he just won the Southeastern Regional tournament.
I could never say enough about my fellow senior and captain Javier Garrapiz from Huesca, Spain. Javi and I have been through three years together filled with many highs and many lows. We have always been the best of friends, doing some crazy things together and playing some huge doubles together. Javi is currently ranked No. 14 in the nation and has the potential to beat anyone on any given day. This is our last season together wearing the 'G' on our chest and we are both determined to make it the best yet.
As you can see by now, we all come from different backgrounds, but as I said earlier we are all connected by tennis. We all have one major goal in mind, which is to win an NCAA Championship in Palo Alto, Calif., in May. We have from now until mid-January to work hard and improve to prepare for the first two rounds of the National Indoors. These next few months will be huge for us and we all are dedicated to putting in the time, energy, and sweat to improve.
I am excited to see how the rest of 2010 plays out for us and I will be keeping everyone posted on the progression we are making!
Thanks for reading and GO DAWGS!
