Question: How long have you been playing tennis?
Answer: I've been playing since I was 5. We were more of a soccer family, but my dad signed me up for tennis, and I loved it right away.
Q: Did you jump right into the USTA tournament scene?
A: I was late getting started with that. I really didn't start playing tournaments until I was around 12. But I caught up.
Q: How would you describe your playing style?
A: I used to be a lot more patient, staying back, just trying to be consistent. But I've worked on changing things up a little, getting to the net, being more aggressive.
Q: What do you like best about the sport?
A: It's the individual challenge. It's all on you. If you figure out a way to success and play well, it makes you feel great.
Q: Have you decided on a college?
A: Not yet. I've narrowed it down to Villanova, Loyola, Lafayette, [the College of New Jersey], and Bucknell. I'm still not sure where I'm going. But I definitely want to play tennis in college.
Q: Do you know what you want to study?
A: I'm thinking biology and getting into premed. I'd love to get involved with sports medicine.
Q: What's your favorite subject in school?
A: Biology. I just find it fascinating the way the body works, and I'd love to be able to get involved in that field and learn ways to help people.
Q: What's your favorite television show?
A:Revenge.
Q: What's your favorite movie?
A:I Love You, Man. I love that movie. It's so funny.
Q: What's the best thing about playing for a tennis team in high school as opposed to playing as an individual in USTA tournaments?
A: You get to share everything with your teammates. In USTA, if you win you walk off the court and you're like, 'Oh, I won.' But in high school, you get to support your teammates and they support you, and you get to do all kinds of team bonding things and have team dinners and things like that. I love that aspect of it.
Contact Phil Anastasia at panastasia@phillynews.com, or follow on Twitter @PhilAnastasia. Read his blog, "Jersey Side Sports," at www.philly.com/jerseysidesports
