I like competing. Just going out there and battling. Having a game plan and going out there and executing it.
Growing up a lot of people said I played like a guy. They thought it was an insult, but I was like, 'That's fine, I don't care.'
Going to UCLA was probably one of the best decisions I've ever made.
During COVID, I was still training, working on my fitness and my tennis. I was able to practice and play near where I live in Orlando.
I think there is always room for improvement, and every day is a chance to get better.
When you reach a certain point I feel like you have to go outside and find your own resources and coach and trainer in order to make it to the top.
Before coming into college, I definitely wasn't ready to go pro. I didn't have those results that all the other players had. I didn't have the confidence in my game or myself, or things like that.
If you were to tell me that when I left, if I were to go to college in 2013 at U.C.L.A. and seven years from then I would be in the quarterfinals of the U.S. Open, I would probably laugh.
So, college was kind of the only option that I looked at, and I was fortunate to have great coaches when I was at UCLA. They helped me improve on and off the court.
For me specifically, I think college benefited me. Just getting me out of doing, getting me out of what I was doing before. I was just doing the same thing, you know, every day, same schedule, just practicing, training, things like that.
I think each college experience is different for everyone.
You know, I think playing doubles definitely helps your singles game in all aspects. Just being able to get that match practice, match preparation before playing singles matches. Then it also builds confidence just getting wins from doubles, yeah.
I have a very positive outlook on life. And not even tennis. Just even off-court, I would say everything that I'm doing daily, and I hope I continue to think like this and, you know, can enjoy each and every single day.
I would say playing doubles is great for, you know, just in general. For the singles game, as well. You're able to work on returns, serves, aggressive playing. Also able to practice pressure situations.
For me, college was a big learning experience on and off the court, just growing as a person, becoming more mature.
When I first went to LA. Honestly, it was different for me. The whole thing, the student-athlete part, you know, where the student came before the athlete. That was totally new to me. I had down online school since fifth grade so I never really had sat in a classroom and taken a note.
If you watch Dominic Thiem and Naomi Osaka, the way the ball comes off the racket is totally different.
I'm not very into social media. I'm not that good at it, so I don't do it much. I'm just a troller. I just like to see what's out there. But I don't participate much.
I have a lot of confidence in my legs, in my strength.
Yeah, I think the suites have been definitely a game changer here at the US Open, somewhere to relax and chill just with you and your team.
