Tennis players, like all collegiate athletes, have busy schedules. But according to ASU junior Nadia Abdala, there is an added factor that makes her sport even more difficult.
“Tennis is a jealous sport,” Abdala said. “Timing is so important and if you miss one day, it sets you back so far.”
Imagine being exhausted after class and having midterms and tests to study for.
Tennis doesn’t care.
You still have to show up for practice and weight lifting.
Tennis doesn’t care about your fatigue or class schedule; in fact classes are scheduled around tennis, not the other way around.
While tennis doesn’t approve of being stood up or ignored, Abdala, a communications major, said that it does give back.
“Sure we miss out on parties, but others miss out on our experiences,” Abdala said. “It balances out.”
Tennis has enabled Abdala to get a scholarship and take a visit to every corner of the country for tournaments.
But when Abdala is finished with school, her relationship with tennis will change.
Abdala will still play tennis now and then, but she will no longer be able to dedicate as much time as she does now.
While tennis is front and center in Abdala’s life today, it may not always be on future.
Reach the reporter at todonnel@asu.edu.