Sports
Tennis Beginner Looks to Go Pro
Venice High senior Ryan Costello has only been playing for three years – but he's already no. 1.
Three years ago, picked up a tennis racquet for the first time. Now he is the No. 1 singles player at . Costello appears to have a bright future in the sport.
“I just got this new coach who is really good, and he’s taught a lot of solid junior players," Costello said. "Right now, I’m just trying to go pro and see how well I do. You never know."
Costello was introduced to the sport while hanging out with a childhood friend.
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“It started in ninth grade when I came out and watched my friend who I had known since third grade," Costello recalled. "He was on the tennis team, and I just saw them practice. I was like 'This is fun.' It sparked a flame.”
From there, Costello starting taking lessons, and he was already working his way up the ladder at Venice High when an unexpected turn of events occurred.
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“My family moved to Arizona for a year," he said. "Going to a new school and not knowing tennis players and having to start over with friends was tough, but I met a few people and they helped me through it.”
Costello has since returned to Venice, and for coach it was a welcome sight, given that his team is full of young players.
“I don’t have a whole lot of non-beginners on this team, so to have a kid like Ryan is great," Chew said. "He has a lot of experience, and he’s been our consistent No. 1 this whole year.”
Off the court, Costello keeps himself busy through the Church of Jesus Christ of Ladder Day Saints.
“I go to church a lot and help out there," he said. "They are also well connected with the Boy Scouts and I’ve been with them since I was 11. I did a bunch of camping trips and volunteer work with them.”
In just three years, Costello has gone from a beginner to the best player on his team. In three more years, who knows how far he will go?
“I’m going to try to make it on the [professional] circuit," he said. "I love tennis so much, and I want it to be a big part of my life. If it doesn’t work out, I can always play in college, but I really want to try to make this work.”
