February 2O22
Sports
27
NATIONAL TENNIS CHAMP TAKES NEXT STEP IN CAREER Article by David Steinberg Photo courtesy of Kian Vakili Senior Kian Vakili sets up for match point that side of tennis. I have a lot of rituals that just being able to feel the ball and being menin a third-set tiebreaker at the U.S. Tennis As- help me when things are not going my way. I tally strong in the moments when he needs to sociation (USTA) National Championships. just try to stay calm and not get too negative.” turn the match around.” He serves the match-winning ace while parAccording to Lee, what sets Vakili apart Vakili began getting recruited in July of ents, coaches and spectators cheer. Winning is from the thousands of other players in the 2020 in the midst of COVID-19. The pannot new for Vakili, but being celedemic affected his recruitment brated as the best U18 boys tennis process significantly, forcing player in the country is a moment him to tour campuses and fahe will never forget. cilities exclusively during onVakili first touched a tennis line tours and Zoom meetings racket when he was only 3 years with coaches. old and immediately fell in love After receiving interest from with the sport. Fifteen years later, many NCAA Division I prohe still holds the same excitement grams, Kian committed to play when stepping foot on the court. tennis in college at the Uni“Tennis is my life, it’s my pasversity of Pennsylvania. He is sion,” Vakili said. “I train every looking forward to competing day for three to four hours and against some of the best colplay in tournaments almost every legiate players in the nation. week. It means a lot to be able to Vakili said the school’s academcompete with some of the best in ics and top tennis program are the world.” what made his choice clear. Vakili has trained with many After college, Vakili looks to coaches throughout his tennis earn a top-notch education at career. He now practices at the the Wharton business school USTA national campus with and ultimately go pro in tennis. Head Tennis Professional Tina “My plan is to do four years Lee. Lee began coaching Vakili of college and then hopefully four years ago and has seen masgo pro,” Vakili said. “Or if I’m sive progress in all aspects of his good enough after two years, I game, especially in his technique. will then try. We’ll see how it “In tennis, you don’t work goes, but going pro has been a more on one thing than anothdream of mine for as long as I er, you have to kind of work on could imagine.” everything,” Lee said. “For Kian, Being a four year starter in it was just a lot of pushing him college is a likely possibility to the higher level, especially with for Vakili, who has already imhis footwork and committing to pressed coaches at Penn with each rally.” his talent. Men’s tennis head Tennis is a sport that requires coach at Penn David Geatz beheavy conditioning and practice, lieves Vakili will excel during but what makes it even more difhis time playing at the colleficult is the mental aspect of the giate level. game. During a match, players are Kian Vakili sets up to hit a forehand in a summer tournament. “We are expecting big things out there all by themselves without from Kian,” Geatz said. “When coaches or teammates to guide them. Vakili country are his height, size and touch. Kian is I was recruiting the top juniors in the nation, deals with the stress and pressure by remaining taller than most tennis players his age, making Kian really stood out with his tremendous ball positive even when he is down in the match. him a very tough competitor for opponents. striking ability, huge forehand serve, as well as “Obviously, there’s a lot of things going on “He is extremely talented, he has an amaz- a nice feel for the ball. I have high expectawhen you’re playing a match,” Vakili said. “I ing touch and he’s a very good competitor,” tions for Kian to be a 4-year starter and the Ivy have a mental coach that helps me deal with Lee said. “His main strengths I would say are League freshman of the year.”
