Mariana Copeland

Chen (11) faces off against a Clayton High School opponent. She had a goal to win the match. “It is really fun playing with a team,” Chen said.

Angela Chen (11) has been  playing tennis since she  was 8. Like most kids, Chen had tried other sports be fore tennis to see what she would  like. Maybe the grip on her racket  was just right the day she tried  it out, or she played with a lucky  tennis ball, but it was quickly apparent that those other sports  couldn’t rival her love for tennis.  

There are many aspects to  achieving greatness in one’s  sport, and for most it is not a lin ear endeavor. However, with a  balance of natural talent and a  strong work ethic, it may be pos sible. Chen is no exception to this  concept. For Chen it is essential  that she follows a rigorous tennis  practice schedule.  

“I am always training,” Chen  said. “I try to do weights, mobility  and agility, and I’m playing tennis  every single day, working on different drills and techniques. I may  focus on a specific weaknesses  so that I am in my best shape and  play my best.”  

Jenna Song (11), one of Chen’s former teammates, highlights  that Chen is someone players look  up to on and off the court. Chen  sets the standard of play, and off  

when they see Angela play.” Having been a two-time state  champion, attending national  competitions and playing some  of the best youth players in the  country, Chen has her fair share  of accolades. It is easy to confi dent while winning every match,  however the true strength of an  athlete reveals itself during the  hardest times.  

“Having bad matches is com mon, probably 1 in 5 matches is  when I actually play well,” Chen  said. “The rest of them I have to  figure out a way to win. Even if I  am not playing my best, I can’t let  it get to my head. If I lose I have to  focus on having a good attitude so  I can bounce back.” 

Chen’s coach, Troy Bray, has  been training Chen for years,  watching as she progresses. He  hopes that she will be able to play  tennis at the collegiate level in addition to enjoying the sport well  into her adult life.  

“I’ve seen too many kids say,  ‘Well I just have to get through  college, and then I don’t have to  play tennis anymore,’” Bray  said. “That disappoints me  because I’ve made tennis  my life. I hope Angela and  other kids will continue  to make tennis a life time sport and enjoy it.”