Interview

RGVT: Jerry, thanks for taking the time to do this interview with RGVTENNIS.COM!
JC: Your welcome, its an honor to be RGVTENNIS.COMs male player of the month
RGVT: Jerry, how did you get started playing tennis?
JC: Well I actually started playing tennis for the fact that it was the only sport my dad actually let me play. He was always a little bit over protective with me and since tennis was a non contact sport he thought it be great so I joined the jr. high tennis team when I was in the 7th grade
RGVT: How old were you when you first started playing?
JC: Hmmmm....its been so long ago I cant really remember, maybe 15 or 16.
RGVT: Do you remember what your first racquet was back then?
JC: Hahahah to tell you the truth my first racquet wasnt a tennis racquet at all! Since I was totally unaware I was actually using a racquet ball racquet but that all changed once I got to high school I eventually bought a true tennis racquet, even though it wasnt the lastest and greatest thing out there it did the job.
RGVT: Right now you are using two different racquets: the Head Flexpoint Radical and the Babolat Pure Drive. How much
of a difference in your playing does it make compared with those early racquets?
JC: Control and power are the two mains things that have really changed over there years. Now you can basically strike the ball from anywhere on the court and not have to put much effort into hitting a hard shot, its really come a long way.
RGVT: When you were first starting out playing tennis, did you take any tennis lessons or did you just learn from your
tennis coach at school?
JC: Most of it was self taught and thats probably the reason I played horribly in high school, but once I started playing with the adult leagues at the heb tennis center my game inproved drastically. Theres some really good competition out there and they are smart players and always willing to help out a fellow tennisian lol.
RGVT: Tell me about your high school tennis experience. What did you like about it and what did you not like about it?
JC: Losing, would be the part I hated but then again I think thats what everyone would say, but other than that there wasnt to much not to like about it. hanging out with friends playing tennis all day and night what more could you want....well besides the win.
RGVT: How do you think that high school tennis can improve in Raymondville?
JC: Out of all the top high school Ive seen, discipline is something I think the high school team needs to work on, its not just about the food after the match.
RGVT:: Do you think if maybe the students were to spend more time at the Harlingen H.E.B. tennis center earlier in the season
that they would be more competetive come tournament time?
JC: Of course, they would play against different players, learn how to improve their game, take tennis lessons from the pro the positives go on and on.
RGVT: You mentioned before that you weren't all that great until you started playing league tennis at the Harlingen H.E.B.
Tennis Center. What was it that made you, all of a sudden, start to improve?
JC: Guess it all just kinda click together, once somebody told me what I was doing wrong or wasnt doing at all, it made me want to work out that kink in my game.
RGVT: When you go out to play at the center, are you consciencely working on improving something? Like, do you say: "Today
I am going to work on this or that part of my game"?
JC: Most of the time, yes. There are sometimes when I just go out there to have some fun and play a couple of sets. But thats the great thing about tennis even if your having fun your still improving.
RGVT: I know that my game really began to improve when I started to hit against you. I was forced to improve my reaction time and my depth. What about hitting partners? Are there certain types of players you like hitting against because they challenge you to improve?
JC: If you want to get better you need to hit against all types of players. Pace, spin, strategy all differs so you need to practice every shot to get better.
RGVT: Do you prefer to play singles or doubles? Or do you like playing both?
JC: I really like playing doubles better, the action is a little bit faster and you get to have a partner its not just you out there.
RGVT: Do you think that playing doubles makes you a better singles player and vice versa?
JC: I think any type of hitting makes you a better player even if your just hitting agaist the invincible wall!
RGVT: In doubles, you are pretty agressive at the net. Did this come naturally for you or did you have to work your way up to
it?
JC: I had to work myself up to it. I never really played doubles in high school and it was a totally different game at the net, but that makes it a more challenging and in order to get better i play more doubles to work on my volleys.
RGVT: When I was first playing tennis, I learned how to hit my backhand (when I hit with two hands) by watching Bjorn Borg. Was there somebody that you tried to copy as far as your strokes? A local player or a professional player that you took
stuff from?
JC: I really liked the way marat saffin hit his backhand even though it was kinda unorthodox, taking the racquet back without bending your ams is really hard to do and throws off your timing a little bit, but then again hes a pro and knows whats hes doing hahaha
RGVT: Let's talk about injuries. I know that we have seen our share of injuries on the tennis courts, some not so serious and some
very serious, have you had any injuries? Any problems with tennis elbow?
JC: Tennis elbow does creep up on me every now and then but it depends on the strings im using at the moment. but other than that ive only taken a few spills at the courts but nothing to major. (crosses fingers, doesnt want to get jinxed)
RGVT: You just switched to Luxilon Big Bangers strings. How do you like them so far? Do they make a difference?
JC: Theyre great nice stiff strings really help you controll the ball better, not only that theyre really durable and thats something i need because i break strings way to often.
RGVT: What tension did you string your racquet with it? On both your racquets or just one?
JC: Before the big bangers i used to string at around 64 or 65 for controll, but when i strung with luxion they pro recommend i string at 58 and it helped me out quite a  bit.
RGVT: What about your racquets? Tell me the stories of how you came to use the sticks you now use.
JC: Most of them were pick up and play raquets, if i liked the way i played with them i'd buy it. but now i try to be a little bit more smart with my choice of racquet, i read reviews online and then try to find someone who already has it and will let me hit a couple of balls with it.
RGVT: Ok, what about USTA league tennis that you play at the center. Any favorite memories? Good matches?
JC: I guess, it have to be all wins lol and then even if im not playing hanging out and cheering for our team to win. we get a little rowdy but hey its tennis!.
RGVT: Talk to me about the ringer situation. It seems that every team has players that are way above the level that they are playing
at. Now there is talk about fines and banning captains. What do you think should be done, if anything, about ringers?
JC: I really dont think ringers get anything out of playing outside their level but its their choice theres always someone better than you and you will get beat eventually.
RGVT: What would you like to see improved at the Harlingen HEB tennis center?
JC: New Pro shop and new tennis court would be great, also the parking suffers a little only because during tee ball and peewee football season the people who aren't playing tennis take the good spots.
RGVT: Recently, we all had to take about a week off from playing tennis because of Hurricane Dolly. I know that my timing is
still coming back to me. Does your timing get off when you don't play for a while? Or are you one of those players that plays well
no matter how long they take off?
JC: Hmmm.....yes and no, when something like that happens, i'll come back and be better at one thing and lose the thing i was good at before, its kinda weird that way.
RGVT: Jerry, congratulations on being chosen as August's male featured player. Is there anything you would like to say to everyone
that will be reading your interview?
JC: I just wanna thank rgvtennis.com for chosing me as the featured player, and thanks to all the great friends i've made out on the courts.