Serve and Volley: Tide Junior Melissa Day
2/8/2005 12:00:00 AM | Women's Tennis
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Junior Melissa Day, a native of Victoria, Australia, is in her first season playing with Alabama tennis. After playing two seasons at West Virginia, Day transferred to the Capstone and has fit in nicely. In her first tournament as a member of the Crimson Tide, Day won her flight at the Roberta Alison Classic in September. In doubles Day has posted a 10-5 record so far with partner Mari Muller and the duo has garnered a No. 50 national ranking. She obviously has the goods on the court, but let’s find out how she fairs in a quick game of Serve and Volley.
The Serve: How did you end up coming from Australia to the United States to play tennis and was it something that you always wanted to do?
The Volley: No, I had never really thought about it until I met this coach at a tournament and he asked me if I wanted to go to America to play college tennis and I said I’d give it a go and I came over.
S: What’s the difference between playing tennis in America and in Australia?
V: It’s a lot more competitive over here. College tennis is a lot different with a coach on the court. I really like the team aspect of it too.
S: Which grand slam event would you rather win the U.S. Open or the Aussie Open?
V: Wimbledon.
S: Do you have any superstitions that you try to stick to before or during a match?
V: The girls will tell me that I do some pretty crazy things on the court, but off the top of my head I can’t really think of anything. I am really picky about the balls on the court. Umpires have to be still and I’ve even told my coach where to sit before.
S: If you could play doubles with anyone in the world, who would you choose?
V: Steffi Graf. She not really a big doubles player, but she’s my favorite.
S: Which channel rules your T.V.?
V: Really any of the sports channels.
S: What CD is in your player right now?
V: Actually, our warm-up CD. It gets me fired up a bit.
S: Any nicknames?
V: The girls just call me Day
S: If you could play any other sport, what would it be?
V: Oh, that’s a tricky one. I think it would be...field hockey. I played it in high school and it was just so much fun.
S: Okay, we do this for the kids so what’s your advice to all the youngsters out there?
V: I would just say enjoy tennis. Make the most of it. Love it!
No worries!
