Dhilan Patel '22 Recruiting Profile

My name is Dhilan Patel. I'm in the graduating class of 2022, and I've been playing tennis since I was nine years old. I started unconventionally; only playing for prizes at the end of lessons, but I soon grew to love the sport. I only started playing tennis competitively when I was eleven or so, participating in events such as Junior Team Tennis and local tournaments. I didn't know it was possible for me to become even more enraptured by a sport, but I did, and competing became the only thing I really wanted to do. The thrill of competition mixed with the quiet anxious moments gave me a rush that wasn't equal to anything. It is the reason that I am still 100% driven to play tennis, and compete at the highest level I can. 

About my personality: I am a very hard-worker and strive to become exemplary in every aspect of my game. This contributes to my tendency to be hard on myself, which some see as a disadvantage, but I thrive off of my self-criticism. If I didn't push myself half as hard as I do, I wouldn't be able to improve at all. While I will fight to win any match and will be as energetic as anyone out there, sportsmanship has always been very important to me. There is not a player I respect more than one that will be gracious to their opponent before, during, and after a match. I believe a balance between sportsmanship and competitiveness creates the perfect athlete. In any team I contribute support to my peers and a fighting spirit that can accomplish anything.