Experience helps Terp maintain balance in life

By SCOTT MASSEY

© St. Petersburg Times, published June 9, 2000

Nothing ever becomes real till it is experienced. -- John Keats

TAMPA -- Prior to last year's state tennis championship, Tampa Prep's Saras Arasu had not experienced defeat in high school competition.

However, reality struck in the form of a 6-2, 6-0 loss in the final to Boca Raton St. Andrews' Courtney Bergman.

"I knew I had a chance (against Bergman)," Arasu said. "Courtney played well, but I wouldn't say I played my best match. I just took the loss as a learning experience, and I took advantage of it. "

That she did, working on her game three hours a day, six days a week.

"Great players commit aggressively," said Arasu's coach, Ken Holbrook. "Saras practices tirelessly. She knows what to do and how to do it.

"She's strong along the baseline. Her net game has improved. She won't just slug it out on critical points."

Redemption came in April, when Arasu, the Times Hillsborough County Female Player of the Year, won her first state championship, coming back from down a first-set break to beat Shorecrest's Kelly Nelson 7-6, 6-3.

"When Saras won the first set, it was over," Holbrook said. "She knew it and so did the other girl."

"I probably felt better (after the win) than she did," Holbrook added jokingly.

"I have more experience than I did last season," Arasu said. "I knew what to expect ... what to expect from different players ... how to handle different situations."

Arasu, a consistent "A" student, has handled all situations with maturity far beyond her 16 years.

"Saras is conscious of wanting to do well in everything she does," said her mother, Judy "She's such a disciplined and mature person. I'm extremely proud that she has been able to maintain both school and tennis."

And what about school? Why not capitalize on talent and play professionally?

"Her game is still in the developmental process," said Saras' father, Thiru. "Saras could have quit (school) two years ago and been ranked in the top 50 on the tour. (School and tennis) is a delicate balance where one can get sidetracked. But Saras has maintained a high level of intensity, and she's building a solid foundation of education."

She also is building experience.

Arasu regularly visits Royan, France, for practice sessions with her personal coach, Warwick Bashford.

"I enjoy being able to travel to foreign cities and see other cultures," Arasu said. "I like meeting new people."

And as her game steadily improves, Paris' French Open seems closer than the 270 miles that separate the two cities.

"The French Open has to be the toughest Grand Slam," Arasu said. "You've got to be in top shape to play on the clay."

But patience is a virtue, and Arasu knows her evolution as a player is far from over.

"No matter how good you are, there is always room to improve," Arasu said. "You are always going to have weaknesses."

So Arasu, who has been playing tennis for nearly ten years, continues to work on her serve, which Holbrook said has improved tremendously, high forehand and all other facets of her game knowing that the eventual end will justify the means.

"I just want to keep working and learning," Arasu said.

"I value life experience the most."

© St. Petersburg Times. All rights reserved.

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