Serve and Volley: Tide Freshman Billy Mertz
3/1/2005 12:00:00 AM | Men's Tennis
 |
|
Freshman Billy Mertz started his Alabama career about as well as anyone could. He won his first nine matches and his first collegiate tournament, flight C of the Southern Intercollegiates in Athens, Ga. At the ITA All-Americans, Mertz grinded his way through four pre-qualifying matches, including an upset of Pepperdine’s Scott Doerner. Currentley, he’s 15-9 on the season, but despite his success, he remains a man of few words (even though he claims to have once smashed a racket). We got him to open up a little bit in this week’s Serve and Volley.
The Serve: If you could play doubles with anyone in the world, who would you choose?
The Volley: Um...probably Andre Agassi. I’ve always enjoyed watching him play.
S: Do you have any rituals or superstitions before or during a match?
V: No, I’ve never really had any superstitions.
S: What about music; do you listen any music before you play?
V: Oh yeah, I listen to rap.
S: Ah rap. So if you could see one musician or group in concert, who would it be?
V: Uh...I’d probably choose Eminem.
S: Since you’ve been at Alabama, have you picked up any nicknames?
V: Nope
S: Have you ever had a nickname?
V: Nope
S: Really? Amazing! Okay, other than tennis, what sports do you enjoying playing most?
V: I really enjoy playing basketball and golf, but just for fun. I didn’t play them in high school or anything.
S: I’m not sure I’ve ever seen you get upset on the court. Have you ever had the urge to go McEnroe on anybody?
V: Yeah.
S: Yeah you have or yeah you’ve wanted to?
V: Yeah, I have, but not on the court. I’ve smashed my racket after a match though.
S: What’s you’re all-time favorite sports movie?
V: Oh, it has to be Hoosiers. I caught it last week on Classic Sports.
S: Okay, don’t pretend you didn’t watch it because I know you did, who was your favorite cast member of Saved by the Bell?
V: Ha, you’re right, I did watch it. My favorite cast member though...I’d say Kelly because she was hot!
