Teenager Giles loving life at university in Windy City
TEENAGE tennis player Thomas Giles has spoken about life in the Windy City where he has begun a four-year sports business degree course, writes John Bryson.
The 18-year-old Ashby Castle Lawn Tennis Club member flew out to the United States in January to attend DePaul University in Chicago.
Away from his studies, he plans to play for the university’s Blue Demons tennis team once he has fully recovered from an injury he suffered last November.
Thomas said: “I have had a great time so far in Chicago, here at DePaul University.
“Living out here is very different from back home but I’m loving and embracing the experience.
“I didn’t think that in my first two months here that I would have seen over 10 per cent of US states.
“The whole tennis dynamic is completely different out here, and despite not being able to play I go
on all of the trips with the team, allowing me to build a good relationship with them all.
“The NCAA tennis structure is different.
“A few examples are no pre-match five-minute warm-up on court.
“We listen to the US national anthem before each match, and in doubles, only one set is played.
“I would say my favourite trip so
far has been to California as it was really nice weather and the sevenstrong squad, me included, all stayed in a big house together, which had a pool table and table tennis.
“As you can imagine it was very competitive. It was right by the beach so we often took a morning walk and went into the sea.
“My favourite memory so far has been our second match this season which was a 4-3 win against Wisconsin.
“We lost the doubles point so were down 1-0, but many of the guys did well in singles which made it 3-3.
“We were all watching the singles match featuring Shourya Verma, our number four.
“Shourya was 6-5 and a break down in the third and final set but he played a great game and broke back, despite his opponent having match point, taking the match into a deciding seven-point tie-break.
“At 5-4 down, Shourya played one of the best lobs I’ve ever seen, playing it full stretch on the forehand side.
“His opponent then had two more match points which Shourya saved. On his first match point Shourya hit a big serve followed by a massive forehand, showing no fear, and winning 9-7 in the tie-break.
“Everyone sprinted towards him in joy with us all screaming and praising him – the atmosphere was electric.
“The coach at DePaul, Matt Brothers, has worked here for 17 years and that was his first win against Wisconsin, where he is originally from, which made it extra special.”
Giles is a member of the Leicestershire County Tennis squad and was runner-up in the Men’s Singles at last year’s county championships.
“A big highlight from back home that I’m particularly proud of is my Junior Player of the Year award given during the Tennis Leicestershire Tennis Awards evening in February,” he said.
“I am really grateful for this award and wish I could have been there to collect it.
“On a Chicago note, my recovery is looking positive and I can’t wait to get back on court and compete for the Blue Demons.”