Brian Chen '14 Recruiting Profile

I am a singles tennis player and play year round. I feel more alive on a tennis court than anywhere else. My dad built a small tennis wall in our driveway that allows me to practice every day, weather permitting. I started taking private lessons when I was six years old. Four years ago, I began private lessons with Dan Dumpel who, at age twelve, was in the top twenty in the nation. With his help, I made Varsity my freshmen year and played first doubles. 

Since age seven, I have attended a variety of summer tennis camps including Lehigh, Ramapo, Mercer County, and three week-long sessions at West Point. Year round, I regularly participate in the Princeton Tennis Program where tennis counselors observe players and place them in one of four skill levels: bronze, silver, gold, and platinum. I began the program in bronze and am currently in platinum. In addition, I have played at the Van Der Meer Tennis Academy in South Carolina and the Saddle Brooke Tennis Academy in Florida. I play in tournaments most weekends at Bagota Racquet Club, Mt. Olive Tennis Club, Mountain Lakes Racquet Club, and elsewhere. I value every insight I learn from these experiences, and try my best to incorporate it into my game and become the best player I can be.

My forehand is strong, my backhand is moderate, and both are fairly consistent. While my net game is effective, I play best at the baseline. My footwork is an asset. I am right-handed. I am happy when I play well; however, it does not matter if I win or lose as long as I put in all my effort. My first real racquet was a Dunlop 300, but as I grew older I switched to the 90 square inch (K) Factor, the one that Roger Federer used, and then to the 90 square inch BLX. Federer’s style of play inspires me: he has great footwork, stays calm on court, demonstrates good sportsmanship, and is an all-court player.

Beyond tennis, I participated in a month-long U.S. Army National Cadet Corps training program in the summer of 2010. On the second day, I was chosen as a squad leader. For the first two weeks of the program, I was responsible for maintaining water supply and other resources, ensuring punctuality of my nine-man squad, and leading them through rigorous physical endurance activities. Based on my performance, I was one of ten, out of approximately one hundred, who were promoted to Private E2.

The school I would like to attend would have a medium to large campus, weather or conditions that permit year round tennis play, and Division 1 or 2 tennis programs. Because I intend to major in sports medicine or a closely-related field, a strong academic program in that or a similar field is a priority. My goal as a tennis player is to play at the highest competition level to fulfill my potential. If I were to make the tennis team, I would practice every day while maintaining my academic studies. I would hope to apply my leadership training to facilitating a competitive edge and a passionate winning spirit. I view teamwork as a chance to develop life and career skills by learning to work together toward a common good.

The best pros look like they are gracefully gliding on the court, and acquiring that skill takes time and practice. I am in constant pursuit of my best game, and becoming the best player, and best person, I can be.