Summer of Hard Work Ahead for Top-Ranked Tennis Star

Tiffany Pham doesn't get a summer break.

No lazy mornings watching "The Price Is Right." No days laying poolside. There's not even a break from studying.

The 17-year-old tennis star, ranked No. 2 overall in Northern California for girls 18 and under by the Northern California Tennis Association, has a strict year-round routine.

She’s up early to study for her SATs in the morning. Then it’s off to work on her tennis game, practicing for four hours in the afternoon. She practices seven days per week.

But Pham, who has been playing tennis since elementary school, has learned how to carve out some time for fun.

“I still have it,” said the Elk Grove resident, who will be a senior at Laguna Creek High School next year. “I went to prom and everything and have friends over to watch movies. It’s just not as often.

“I’m OK with that though.”

Pham is OK with it because she wants great things. In addition to her success on the tennis court, she also holds a 4.5 GPA.

“She plays every day and every weekend,” said Dave Kuhn, who trains Pham in his position as head tennis pro at Laguna Creek Racquet Club. “She has a good attitude, works hard and is a good student. If I could model all my students to be like her, I would.”

Pham didn't lose a match during her junior season at Laguna Creek, winning the Delta Valley Conference before advancing to win the Sac-Joaquin Section championship.

Pham recently sprained her ankle at practice, an injury that will keep her out of this weekend’s Maze Cup, an annual tournament at the Berkeley Tennis Club where Northern California players take on Southern California players.

She said she plans to still participate in the NorCal 16 & 18 Jr. Sectional Championships at Santa Clara University beginning June 13. She will compete in a United States Tennis Association (USTA) national tournament in Denver, Colo. in July.

You began playing tennis at age 8. Do you remember the beginning?

I didn’t practice a lot until I was about 12 years old. But at first, I didn’t like it very much because I was more into swimming. After I won a tournament, though, that’s when it really kicked off.

With hours of practice every day, does all the work that you put into the sport become tiresome?

Yeah, especially during the school year when I’m trying to fit in that time to practice. I have a lot of nights staying up late to do homework. I become pretty tired.

What drives you to keep working?

The college scholarships. I want to get a full ride to a university. I hope to get into a school for medicine.

Is that what you want to do?

Yeah, something like that. Though I don’t even really know yet.

Are there certain colleges you are hopeful about?

I definitely want to go to a Division I school for tennis. I like University of California. I don’t really know for sure yet. I hear college is much more difficult so hopefully I will be ready.

Do you ever think of playing tennis at the professional level?

No, not really—seems too hard or time-consuming.

Do you ever get intimidated playing against top competition at the national level?

Yeah, it’s intimidating at first because you have to run a lot of balls down and make sure you’re on top of your game. It’s still fun, you just have to give your best effort.

When you’re not on the tennis court or studying, what are you most likely to be doing?

Watching movies, sleeping, eating and I like reading, too. I like playing other sports as well, like swimming, volleyball or just playing catch with the football.

What makes you stand out on the tennis court?

I have a positive attitude. I never have my head down or am screaming. You can never tell if I am winning or losing because I always keep a good head on my shoulders.

Is that hard to maintain in tennis with moments of frustration?

If I missed a really big point, I get mad, but I have to calm myself down.

Who do you look up to in the sport of tennis?

I really like Kim Clijsters. She is an exceptional tennis player.