JUNIOR PROFILE - NATHAN BROWN (EL PASO, TEXAS)
Nathan Brown of El Paso, Texas has always had a quiet confidence about him.
The senior at El Paso Coronado High School has good reason to be. He's been a steady performer since his earliest junior days (Brown began the sport at 9), always among the upper few in each age ranking in the Southwest, and normally a Top 100-ranked junior nationally. He's currently No. 5 in the Section in Boys' 18s singles.
Brown's also been a stalwart competitor all along for his high school - perennial Texas state contender El Paso Coronado - finishing runner-up in Class 5A singles last year in Texas, and helping lead them to region titles in his tenure there.
His high school coach, Jerry Pippins, had seen Brown coming from the early junior ranks and knew the youngster would be a tremendous player for Coronado when the time came.
“He’s really one of a kind. A coach’s dream,” Pippins said earlier this year, when interviewed about his young charge at a high school tournament in Midland, Texas. “He does everything right on and off the court, and he’s very coachable. I really wish I had another 20 just like him.”
Brown's demeanor on the court is just as impressive as his racquet skills. He's always in the running for sportsmanship awards at every tournament, as his collected approach and respect for fair play are noticed as much as his booming serve.
The USTA Southwest Junior Committee has been so impressed with Brown's stellar on-court behavior, they've given him the USTA Southwest Junior Sportsmanship Award the last two years.
Brown's immediate future is finishing the high school season strong, and playing his last go-round of junior tournaments, including the Southwest Junior Closed, the Boys' 18s Team Championships, and the Boys' 18s in Kalamazoo, Mich.
His immediate future after junior tennis is over is also quite bright, as he has committed to play tennis at Yale University.
We recently caught up with Brown to give him our few-question rundown before he finishes up high school and his junior tennis career.
USTASW: How did it all get started for you in tennis?
NB: A friend of mine encouraged me to try playing with him when I was about 8 or so. I also remember initially hitting a lot with my dad and enjoying it.
USTASW: What has been the best tournament experience over all of the years’ of competing in the section and nation?
NB: Playing Kalamazoo (the Boys' 16s and 18s) has probably been the most memorable, primarily because of the incredible atmosphere and tradition.
USTASW: What made you decide to play college tennis and what encouraged you to commit to Yale?
NB: All throughout high school my goal has been to keep playing tennis in college, especially because of the exciting team atmosphere. I was impressed by the academic programs at Yale, along with their tennis facilities and coaching staff.
USTASW: What is your ultimate goal with tennis? What are your future plans once you finish competing at college and possibly beyond?
NB: I’d like to focus on improving as much as possible during college. Playing afterwards may not be realistic for me, but hopefully tennis can continue to be a part of my life.
USTASW: What was your very first USTA Southwest tournament? How old were you? How did you feel approaching the match?
SW: I was 9 when I played a local tournament (In El Paso). I had no idea what to expect and remember losing pretty badly, but I think I had fun.
USTASW: What do you like to do when you're not out there playing tennis?
NB: Reading and playing other sports with friends, especially basketball and ultimate Frisbee.