Magnet senior Zuhri Tann-Wilson takes on the role of line one singles player for the NC Varsity tennis team (1-0). His dedication to the sport shines through his ability to direct practices, build a community among the players and defeat his opponents on the court. His drive remains unmatched, as he practices for multiple hours each day and persistently works on his craft. Tann-Wilson’s commitment to his team sets him apart from his peers as a leading player and nearly a master of tennis skills.
“I’ve had the pleasure of knowing Zuhri for about 8 years, during which I’ve had the opportunity to train him. Zuhri is a dedicated and hardworking young man with a true passion for tennis, always striving to improve his game. His commitment and ability to adapt have not only helped him achieve his goals in tennis but have also translated to success in life,” Laurel Park coach Tracey Brueggemann said.
Men’s high school tennis proves extremely competitive throughout NC’s region. So, playing line one singles acts as a high achievement for Tann-Wilson. His competitive edge grants him a leg-up against his opponents which contributes to his abundance of wins. The difficulty of men’s tennis springs from the varying skills among schools and the drive for college scholarships. A substantial number of players will not achieve a tennis scholarship even if they display tactful skills on the court, however, with Tann-Wilson’s drive he possesses a high probability of a scholarship.
Tann-Wilson started playing tennis during his elementary years but began to focus and improve his skills in seventh grade. Joining the varsity tennis team acted as a main motivator for his improvements in tennis. Afterward, he started competing in tournaments, and he has loved playing competitively since. This transformation in his tennis drive helped improve his mental health and his grades. While he acknowledges that he can improve, he shows off his skills, proud of his journey.
This year Tann-Wilson desires to help his peers as much as he can before he leaves for college. Intending to leave a lasting mark on the team, he hopes to improve the team’s skills so that they can continue to win and grow.
“Tennis is a sport that takes much more work than what it is given credit for. As a child, I never got the opportunity to train competitively full-time. I want to work in the tennis industry as a Strength and Conditioning Coach to bring awareness to the work that goes into it and to give others insight into the work that goes into tennis,” Tann-Wilson said.
In the future, he hopes to continue playing tennis and build the next tennis generation through coaching. He would like to do strength and conditioning coaching, inspired by his love for tennis and exercise. After witnessing the effects of playing tennis firsthand, Tann-Wilson will hopefully encourage others to enjoy tennis to inspire an upcoming of dedicated and proud tennis players.
The Chant wishes Tann-Wilson good luck in his future tennis endeavors.
