For Tennis Parents by a Tennis Parent

There are a few US Open Junior Boys who are already enrolled in college and who will be playing for their teams this year. Brandon Nakashima has already completed one semester at UVA where he had an outstanding Freshman season. I thought it might be interesting for y’all to hear from a couple of these young men on how they are adjusting to College Life so far.

Rinky Hijikata is from Australia and is attending the University of North Carolina. He reached the 3rd round of this year’s US Open Boys Singles and the 2nd round of Boys Doubles with his compatriot Tristan Schoolkate.

Tyler Zink is a current Freshman at the University of Georgia. I had the opportunity to sit with his college coach, Manny Diaz, during one of Tyler’s early doubles matches here this week. He is currently into the Boys Doubles Semifinals with partner and high school junior Eliot Spizzirri.

As I mentioned above, Brandon Nakashima has already played a season of college tennis where he was ACC Freshman of the Year and part of the All-ACC Academic Team. At this year’s US Open Juniors, he reached the Quarterfinals in Doubles with partner Valentin Royer of France, and is now in the Quarters in Singles where he will face his doubles partner later today. Brandon is working with former UCLA standout Gage Brymer this week, and I had the opportunity to sit down with both of them to talk about how they are helping each other pursue their Pro Tennis Dreams.

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