Summer Spotlight: Q&A with Tyler Zink

Tyler Zink
Fr. | Bradenton, Fla.

You just got back from London where you played at Wimbledon. How was that, and what lessons did you learn from the experience?
"I actually just got back last night from what was my second trip to Wimbledon. I played last year, and then I was fortunate to play again this year. So, it's cool to be 18 and to have already played at Wimbledon twice. I'm very, very grateful for that. I would say the biggest takeaway for me was the professionalism shown by everyone there. It's really on another level. It made me want to be on top of all the little details and all the little things that can really make a difference. Making sure to not leave anything out—crossing all the T's and dotting all the I's—was one of the biggest things I learned at Wimbledon. It was probably the greatest lesson I could have ever learned from the trip."

What is your favorite Wimbledon memory?
"My favorite memory was at last year's Wimbledon. I was able to sit right behind John Isner at Centre Court when he played Kevin Anderson. I got to watch that whole match and see Isner there being a former Bulldog, I was kind of in his corner. It was a pretty magical moment."

What are you looking forward to most as you head into your first season at UGA?
"I'm really looking forward to being a team player and hopefully lead the team. I really just want to connect and bond so that we always have each other's backs."

Why did you choose Georgia?
"One hundred percent, it was because Coach Manny Diaz and Coach Jamie Hunt. I mean, they were everything I was looking for in two coaches. My goal is to play professional tennis after college, and I feel like they both see that same image 100 times better than all the rest of the college coaches. They are definitely what made me choose Georgia. They're both amazing guys. Manny is one of the best coaches out there, and I'm very excited that I'll be able to play for both of them. I'm grateful that I'm coming in August. I just can't wait to get there."

What do you plan to work on during the fall campaign?
"I hope I can focus a lot on just building more weapons. I think Coach Diaz will definitely have a lot of input into those areas. I also want to focus on the mental side, just getting mentally tough and working on the little things that can take me to becoming a pro tennis player."

You and Trent Bryde won a doubles title playing together earlier this summer. What was that experience like?
"Growing up, Trent [Bryde] was always a few years older than me, so I didn't really get to know him well on junior tour and we never played together. This last tournament was the most time we'd ever spent together, and we really connected and bonded. We were playing some really good tennis every day. I was really looking forward to having him as a partner. We had a bunch of good laughs, and I think the chemistry was really great. I'm very excited to build on that going into this year."

What are your career goals off the court?
"I'm not sure what I want to major in yet, but I've thought about accounting or business. If tennis doesn't work out, I'd love to know the business side of things so that maybe I can have my own business. I think, regardless, a business major can really help later in life."

How was it to have your dad as a tennis coach?
"He's definitely the one that got me playing tennis. I know a lot of kids who struggled with the coach-son relationship, but it's everything I could have asked for. I wouldn't want anyone else in my corner. He's been there for me ever since I can remember, and I know his knowledge is very high. We've developed an amazing relationship all these years, and I can't thank him enough for everything he's done for me."

What is another sport you enjoy playing?
"I'm a huge golfer. I love it so much. If I wasn't playing tennis, I'd definitely be taking golf professionally. I play anytime that I can. It relaxes me, and I'm always looking to get better at it. Not many people know that. I've been playing for two or three years now. I started because I went to visit my grandmother, and I knew she was always into golf. We went a played together and ever since then, I've been so interested. I think it's such a cool sport. I have so much fun playing."

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