VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. — Since we last spoke to Ocean Lakes tennis star Elizabeth Tucker sophomore year, her perspective on the sport has changed.
“I used to put a lot of unnecessary pressure on myself but I kind of took a step back and just focused on enjoying it because that’s what I’m meant to do,” she explained.
And some distance was just what she needed.
“After my sophomore year I didn’t play for the summer and then I came back a little bit in the fall and started doing some lessons again and training a little bit and I just realized that playing makes me so happy, but competition isn’t what I live for,” Tucker said.
And in this case, distance did make the heart grow fonder.
“When sports are intense you feel intense, and I just realized I wanted to enjoy it more than anything. I just wanted a pause and a pause ended up being the perfect thing,” she said.
After all, she’s not Elizabeth the tennis player, she’s Elizabeth who happens to play tennis.
“I was starting to feel like if there was one thing about me, that thing was tennis and I realized I have all this other stuff I’m interested in. When I was able to give myself a little bit of space, I was able to look into all that more.”
Elizabeth is now a senior and headed to UVA where she won’t be pursuing tennis, but architecture.
“Last time we talked remember I talked about drawing because that’s another thing I like to do but last year I realized I want to study architecture. I just want to be able to design valuable stuff and things that really will enhance everyday life for the people that use them. Obviously, drawing is something that I like and that seemed like the perfect combination," she said.
A little bit of perspective has led to a new passion and new outlook on the sport she loves.
“I’ve finally let go of any crazy standard like if you don’t win this many points or this many matches or whatever. I just want to focus on doing what I feel proud of. This sport has taught me a lot and it made me the person I am, and I appreciate that.”
