Welcome back Royals’ sports fans to Warner athletics’ question and answer segment called Royal Talk. This week we chat with freshman Kevin Sokal of the men’s tennis team under the direction of second year head coach Jose Martinez.
Sokal joined the Royals in the fall of 2009 after spending the last year improving his game at the Roddick Total Tennis Academy in San Antonio, Texas. Prior to his time in San Antonio, Sokal attended William T. Dwyer High in Palm Beach Gardens, Fla. Sokal is the son of Akemi and Hiroto Yamamoto. He is currently majoring in Business Administration with hopes of one day owning and operating his own tennis academy. Here is more of our interview with Kevin Sokal:
1) How long have you been playing tennis? What do you like about the sport?
I’ve only been playing for four years. It keeps me in shape and it’s a fun sport to just play.
2) What were some of your concerns adjusting to a new school, being a college freshman, and playing a sport?
Time management and having a fresh new start with everything.
3) What is your view on the team’s progression from the beginning of the year until now?
As a team we are progressing very well. Every time we play a school we get better.
4) How did your time at the Roddick Total Tennis Academy prepare you for collegiate tennis? What did you learn from that experience?
It prepared me to work hard, to respect the game, and stay concentrated. From these experiences I learned to just be prepared for anything that comes at me.
5) What is it like to play for Coach Martinez? (Coaching style, etc…)
It’s fun, the team has fun during practices and he keeps us on our toes.
6) The Sun Conference boasts four teams in the NAIA Top 25 National Poll. What is it like to face competition like that? Do you like it? Does it help your game?
Playing against these teams is an honor. Playing high ranked teams is a challenge but so is everything else. Yes it does help my game; they say that if you play better teams that your game changes and you play better and it gives you the experience.
7) Now that the conference portion of the season is over, what do you hope to gain from your final two matches of the season?
To continue to gain experience in college tennis and to be prepared for next year.
8) What is your goal for the Warner men’s tennis program while you are a part of it?
To get our budget higher, win matches and for people to really take tennis as a serious sport and come out and support us.
9) Do you compare yourself to any tennis pro out there today (past/present)? Style of play, demeanor, etc…
Well growing up, the person I admired the most was Andre Agassi, but my style of play is more towards Michael Chang.
10) If you could play a match against any tennis player (past/present) who would it be? Why?
I would love to play against Roger Federer because he is a complete player and I could use this experience towards anything.