Sophomore Sravya Gudipudi has consistently had a strong impact for Women’s Tennis. She often plays in the No. 1 spot in singles play and also completes at high levels in doubles play. Earlier this month, Gudipudi earned UAA All-Academic honors.
How did you get interested in tennis?
I got interested in tennis through a summer camp that I did when I was 10 years old. Slowly, I started playing junior tournaments and haven’t stopped ever since!
What do you enjoy most about tennis at UR?
I enjoy playing against such competitive teams and playing tennis at a high level. I also enjoy the team atmosphere and how we have all gotten so close throughout the season.
How have you grown as an athlete over the course of your collegiate career?
Coming from California was a huge adjustment. There were many things I had to adapt to. For instance, I was not used to playing so much indoor tennis, and this was something I had to adjust. Also, I have grown as a team player by supporting one another and cheering each other on during matches.
What has been the highlight of your tennis career at UR?
One of the highlights in tennis was being nationally ranked last year. It was definitely a great start coming in as a freshman. Also being named Second-Team All-UAA for second singles was another highlight from last year. This was really exciting especially since we compete in one of the highest-ranked conferences in the nation.
What has been the most difficult aspect of being a varsity athlete?
The most difficult aspect of being a varsity athlete is balancing tennis with school, especially in the spring. As a varsity athlete, we travel almost every week, which requires us to miss a lot of classes and even some exams. Sometimes balancing school and tennis can be a little stressful but in a way it makes me more organized. I have learned to manage my time wisely and be on top of my school work.
Who has had the greatest impact on your playing career and why?
My parents have had a huge impact in my tennis. They pushed me to be a better tennis player by always supporting me and taking me to junior tournaments almost every weekend. My parents were there throughout my entire tennis career and without them I would not be where I am today.
Who is your favorite professional athlete, and why?
My favorite professional tennis player is Rafael Nadal. I really admire his work ethic and determination that he shows both on and off the court. I also enjoy watching him play because of his competitive nature and how hype he gets in his matches.
If you hosted a talk show, who would your first three guests be?
LeBron James, Roger Federer, and The Weeknd are the three individuals that I would invite if I hosted a talk show. I really respect LeBron James and Roger Federer as athletes and how successful they are in their sports. This takes a lot of hard work and determination to be that successful and that is something I really admire. Also, I would invite The Weeknd because I really enjoy listening to his music.
