Faces off the field gives a deeper look into the thoughts and lives of high school student-athletes in the Austin area. Today we feature McNeil tennis player Jaivanth Sathish, who would enjoy a trip to France to see the French Open. Sathish aspires to play tennis in college and perhaps turn pro.
All about Jaivanth: First basketball, and then tennis
Tell something about you that most people don’t know.
Before playing tennis, my favorite sport was basketball. I loved the teamwork aspect of it and how fast-paced it was.
What was the best thing you did this summer?
The highlight of my summer was spending time with my cousins and friends. We had a blast playing games, running, biking and visiting amusement parks together.
If you could visit any country in the world, where would you go?
The country I’d love to visit most is France, particularly to see Roland-Garros in Paris.
If a caveman lived in modern times, what do you think would fascinate him the most?
They would be most fascinated by the cellphone because it’s so captivating and there is so much you can do with it.
Sathish: True legends rise after their failures
How did you start playing tennis?
I began playing tennis at the age of 10, almost by accident. My family friend Karthik Chandilvel started taking private tennis lessons for kids, and his coaching sparked my interest and love for tennis. … Above all, my family, especially my parents and brother Sanjit, and my tennis friends taught me the importance of resilience and perseverance, and really kept me going and growing my passion for the sport.
What has been your favorite tennis memory at McNeil?
My favorite tennis memory is winning my match against Round Rock. The atmosphere was electric, with cheers all around, and it was a special moment as McNeil secured third place in district for the first time. I was thrilled to see the excitement on the coach’s face and the joy of my teammates after we won the medal.
Has tennis taught you any lessons you apply to daily life?
Tennis has taught me many valuable life lessons, particularly about the mental aspect of the game. The most important lesson I’ve learned is that legends are not defined by their achievements but by how they rise after their failures.
What do you plan to do after you graduate from high school?
My main goal is to get into a Division I college and pursue my tennis career with the aim of playing at a professional level.
Dream dinner: Would Kobe, Roger run a marathon first?
If you could have dinner with any four people in the history of the world, who would they be?
The four people I would have dinner with would be Kobe Bryant, Dominic Thiem, (ultramarathoner) David Goggins and Roger Federer.
Why did you pick Dominic Thiem?
I would love to have dinner with Dominic Thiem because I enjoy watching him play. Every time I watch his game, I get goosebumps and feel inspired to hit the court myself.
What would you like to be served at this dinner?
I would love to be served chicken and pasta because I enjoy both and they provide plenty of protein and carbs. It’s also a meal that’s essential for tennis players to perform at their best.
Other Austin-area tennis players we’ve interviewed
Westlake’s Luke Riezebeek, Westwood’s Janya Tellabati, Hutto’s Daniel Hosek and Lake Travis’ Rourke O’Shannessy
This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Faces off the field: McNeil tennis player Jaivanth Sathish
