Holding Serve with Ryan Heller
3/21/2005 12:00:00 AM | Men's Tennis
Sophomore Ryan Heller began his sporting career on the diamond playing baseball. With encouragement from his parents, Heller began taking tennis lessons and by the age of 10, he was competing competitively. The lessons and practice paid off. Heller was a dominant force at Glenbrook North High School, earning the Illinois State Singles Championship during his junior campaign and collecting Central Suburban League North Conference championships at No. 1 singles each of his four seasons. The Northbrook, Ill., native was a four-time team MVP and holds the all-time singles record at Glenbrook North with a career mark of 119-17. Heller has dodged the common sophomore slump, having advanced to semifinals at ITA National Indoors with Hung, defeating the nation's No. 2-ranked pair along the way. Now halfway through the season, Heller took a break to talk about his greatest tennis moments, his favorite tennis star growing up, and the team's recent trip to San Diego, Calif. On his greatest tennis moment growing up On why he chose to attend Michigan, instead of staying in-state On the biggest change he has noticed in this years program On his play this season On his favorite tennis player growing up On being one of three freshmen to earn 20 wins last season On whether he prefers singles or doubles On his Spring Break trip to San Diego
Heller also experienced success on the junior level, as he was ranked as high as No. 37 nationally in Boy's 18-and under singles after claiming Midwest Section Closed singles and doubles championships. A three-time Midwest Designated Indoor champion, Heller helped the National Junior Davis Cup team to the 2002 championship.
Last year, Heller became the first Wolverine since 2000 to be named the Big Ten Conference's Athlete of the Week (March 17, 2004). When the season ended, he was one of three freshmen teammates, along with Brian Hung and Steve Peretz, to have notched at least 20 singles victories.
On how he got started playing tennis
"I started playing when I was six-years-old, but not competitively until I was 10. I was always a baseball player because I had good hand-eye coordination. My parents started me out in group tennis lessons and I grew to like it, so I started playing more and more."
"I won the Illinois State Championship during my junior season. In Illinois there is a lot of good competition, so that was pretty cool. There were a lot of people there from my high school watching. It was a good time."
"I liked the coaches here. The team camaraderie was great. I liked all the guys on the team. The school, academically, is better or comparable to other schools in Illinois."
On his most memorable tennis moment at Michigan
"Being in the semifinals of the ITA National Indoor Championships was a pretty big accomplishment. It was pretty interesting that Brian (Hung) and I made it. I believe it had been a long time since a Michigan doubles team had done that. I would have to say that is probably my biggest moment at Michigan."
"The biggest change is the intensity level in practice. We are all working hard with high intensity. After practicing for two and a half hours, I go home and want to go to bed. Theres a lot of high intensity and point playing. It prepares us better for our matches."
"I think I am playing pretty well right now. Bruce (Berque) and Michael (Kosta) have helped my net game a lot. I am moving more and being more aggressive."
"I liked watching Pete Sampras. He had a big serve and volley. He was very aggressive and I like to be an aggressive player on the court. I liked watching Andre (Agassi) and him play."
"I didnt really think about it. You try to ignore last year, try to get better and better every year, and see where it takes you."
"I like both. In high school, I didnt have the chance to play both singles and doubles. I just played singles. I like the college setup where I can play both. I view doubles as a warm up for singles."
On his biggest influence in life
My parents, particularly my dad. He has always been there for me when I need him. Whether it was going out and playing catch, practicing on the tennis court or helping me with my homework when I was younger. He always got me on the right track and made sure I got things done."
"It was nice. We didn't come away with the results we wanted. We had to overcome some adversity with five guys being sick. Two guys, including myself, were injured. We tried to do the best we could and I think it will help us down the line. The city was great. If I could live out there I would. They have really nice weather. We went to the San Diego Zoo, which was pretty cool. Then we went on an aircraft carrier, the USS Reagan. That was probably one of the coolest things I have ever done. You saw what its like to be on an aircraft carrier. Its like its own city. They have a barbershop in there and lots of other things. It was pretty interesting to see where government spending is going."
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