Newcomer Spotlight: Patrick Maloney
1/11/2019 12:54:00 PM | Men's Tennis, Features
Over the weeks leading up to the 2018-19 dual-season, MGoBlue.com will introduce the University of Michigan men's tennis team's four-man freshman class and help fans get to know a little more about the individuals. The first series starts with Oyster Bay, New York native, Patrick Maloney.
Patrick Maloney
Maloney comes to Michigan after a successful high school career in the tri-state region, and earned All-American, All-State and All-Long Island honors at Oyster Bay High School. He also captured the 2018 NYSPHSAA State Boys individual championship and was the Nassau County champion. Tennisrecruiting.net named him five star blue chip recruit, and went 15-5 against fellow five-star recruits.
Q: Why did you pick Michigan?
A: I chose Michigan because I felt this is the place where I can reach my full potential and make great strides in my game. I think Coach Steiny (head coach Adam Steinberg) and I have a good relationship and he understands my game, so I knew this was the place where I wanted to play. He knows what it takes to be great, and with his team-oriented philosophy, I knew I would love playing for him.
Q: What has been your favorite thing about U-M so far?
A: My favorite thing about U-M has been the team practices. Our team is really close and we all get along great, so competing and working hard with them and the coaches every day is really fun. We play with a ton of energy, so practice is always intense and competitive which makes it great.
Q: How did you get started in tennis?
A: When I was 5 years old my family moved houses, and the house had a tennis court. My two older brothers never played tennis -- they played baseball and basketball -- so my parents figured, why not let me try it? When I was younger, all the coaches said I was pretty good, so I stuck with it and really started to love it.
Q: What are three words that best describe you?
A: Competitive, sarcastic, skinny.
Q: What are your hobbies and interests outside of tennis?
A: I love fishing. I've been fishing for about 10 years, and I really enjoy doing that during the summer. Hanging out with friends and playing basketball are also hobbies I really enjoy. I follow the NBA closely and am a New York Knicks fan.
Q: What are you most looking forward to this season?
A: I'm excited to get out there and start competing with my teammates. We worked really hard this fall, and will continue to during the offseason, then when we come back we will be able to display our handwork when we start competing on Jan. 19.
Q: What are your goals at Michigan?
A: My goals for my time at Michigan are to win a Big Ten and NCAA title with my teammates, and to become an All-American. We have the resources to make it happen, we just need to keep working hard.
Q: Any superstitions on the court?
A: I have a pre-match playlist that I listen to before every match (the playlist gets updated), I tie my shoes a certain way and I have a ton of routines with stretching and eating the night before and day of a match.
Q: What's the best advice someone has given you?
A: I think the best advice I have been given came from Coach (Benjamin) Becker this fall. During a conversation, he told me to work as hard as I can, day in and day out, so when I am done here at Michigan, there will be no regrets and no "what ifs." Seeing and hearing about how hard Benny worked at Baylor and on the (ATP) tour, and to see what he accomplished, shows what hard work creates, and I want to make sure there are no "what ifs" when I am done playing for Michigan.
Q: Who has had the greatest impact on your life?
A: My parents have had the greatest impact on my life. They have taught me invaluable lessons about character and work ethic, and have worked so hard to help me chase my dreams, and they support me and my dreams no matter what.
Past Newcomer Spotlights
• Steven Forman (1/4/19)
• Ryan Fu (1/8/19)
Michigan will kick off the dual-match portion of its schedule Saturday, Jan. 19 when it travels to Alabama. The Wolverines will return to Ann Arbor Jan. 26-27 when it hosts the ITA Kick-off at the Varsity Tennis Center. Overall, U-M will host 12 regular season matches at the VTC this season, and then will host the Big Ten Tournament in Ann Arbor April 25-28. Admission is free to all regular season matches.
Players Mentioned
