Everybody knows how hard it can be adjusting to college life. Imagine what it would be like having to set aside a few hours every day to practice a sport upon first arriving on campus. Such was the transition that tennis players Mary Beth Winingham '10 and Jessica Adler '10 had to make this past year. I recently had the pleasure of sitting down with the two freshmen to discuss everything from fashion to team dynamics and personal history.
____The D:____ What is the biggest difference between high school and college tennis?
Mary Beth Winingham: High school tennis is more individually oriented. There is less team focus.
Jessica Adler: Yeah, I agree. Another big difference is that you can play both doubles and singles during matches.
The D: Did you have a welcome to college sports moment?
JA: I'd have to say in preseason. We were here for like 10 days before school started, practicing twice per day for like five total hours. By the end, we were covered in multiple bags of ice.
The D: Sounds rough. Every team has its own dynamic. What is yours?
MBW: [Laughs] Oh man. Lots of Borat quotes, lots of one-liners. It's hysterical. It can be hard to keep up.
JA: Yeah, lots of one-liners.
MBW: When we go out we like to make a scene, especially at a capella shows. We all get along super well.
JA: We definitely have more of a problem being serious, though.
The D: Who is your favorite professional tennis player?
JA: Andy Roddick.
MBW: Really?
JA: Yeah, he's hot.
MBW: I have to be like everyone else and say Federer.
JA: I don't like him, he's too good.
The D: I'm a Rafael Nadal guy myself. Which of your teammates has the worst sense of style? Who has the best?
MBW: [Laughs] We talk about this all the time! Oh my god, not a fan of jeans and tennis shoes.
JA: [Laughs] Yeah. I'd say Maggie Suydam '08 always wears jeans and tennis shoes, so I say her.
MBW: I think Jamie Kaplan '09 is the best dressed, cause she toes the line between not too formal and not too casual.
The D: If you could go back in time and talk to one famous historical person, who would it be?
JA: I'm not too good with history, I'm not sure.
MBW: I'd see Michael Jackson before he was white and crazy.
JA: Great answer. Wow, where did that come from?
MBW: Well, he was cute and talented.
JA: Oh, I know! I'd so see Mary Beth when she was 10 years old and hated me.
The D: Is there a story behind this?
MBW: Haha, yeah, when we were little, the two of us would play in the same tennis tournaments, and when we were 10, we played in a tournament in Kalamazoo, Michigan. I was the three seed in the tournament, and thought I was awesome. In the second round, however, my opponent was Jesse. Back then Jesse was a nobody. She...
JA: I was not cool when I was little.
MBW: She came out in a headband and two wrist bands, and I was like, "This girl is a joke, I'll destroy her." But sure enough...
JA: ...I kill her.
MBW: She beat me, 6-3, 6-3. I was so angry.
The D: That is hysterical. Moving on, what is the best and worst part of playing tennis at Dartmouth?
JA: Dartmouth in general is an easy place to be an athlete. It's not like you get special treatment, but it's definitely looked upon as cool to represent the school while playing your sport.
MBW: I agree. For me the biggest negative is the walk over there. The tennis courts are so far away!
The D: Ok, well, when can we look forward to the next women's home tennis match?
MBW: Next Friday against Brown. We should kill them.
