INTERVIEW WITH BLAKE STRODE

Sport:  Tennis
Year: Sophomore
Hometown: St. Louis, MO
Major:  International economics and Spanish

How did you get involved in tennis, and how old were you when you started?
I was five years old and on vacation with my family in Florida when I saw a tennis match on television and told my mother I wanted to try it.  She took me to a clinic in a nearby park, and I’ve been playing ever since.

Why did you choose to come to the University of Arkansas?
It was kind of a strange series of coincidences, but the main reasons were that I was very impressed with the athletic and academic opportunities available here, and I really felt comfortable on the campus.

What do you want to do when you graduate?
If I do not continue on into professional tennis, I plan to attend law school and become an attorney.

You do very well in your sport.  What motivates you to be excellent?
What motivates me most is knowing that I have an opportunity that many people don’t get.  It wouldn’t be fair not to take advantage of it.

In your opinion, what does it take to be excellent at tennis?
It’s clichéd, but… PRACTICE, PRACTICE, PRACTICE!  And a little perseverance when things seem discouraging.

How much do you practice?
 Depending on the week, I’ll practice anywhere from 5-7 days per week, 2-3 hours per day, and conditioning for about an hour a few times a week.

What do you think it takes to be excellent in your schoolwork?
A lot of times, it’s just a matter of doing all of the little things right.  Go to ALL of your classes, do ALL of your homework, study for ALL of your tests.  It’s pretty routine, but it’s usually tougher said than done, especially when there don’t seem to be enough hours in the day.

Have you ever had difficulties with a class?  If so, how did you get through it?
It has been my experience that whenever I’m having trouble in a class, the more I communicate with my teacher or professor, the better things turn out.  Teachers generally like when students seek them out, even when it seems like they don’t.

What do you think it means to “go the extra mile”?
Like I said before, the little details add up over time.  Whether it’s finishing up a boring assignment late one night when you would rather be sleeping, or practicing as hard as you can when it seems like you just can’t go any more, the extra effort will pay off, sometimes when you need it most.

Why is that important?
It has been important to me because it has kept me from giving up on challenges or on myself.

What are the benefits of doing things with excellence?
There can be all kinds of benefits, from increased success in sports and/or school to awards and scholarships.  Even more than these, it is satisfying to know that you have accomplished something through hard work.