HighFIVE: Neil Wilcox
Balancing the self-reliance gained from his homeschooled background with a strong desire to support others, Niwot star netter, Neil Wilcox is set up for an extremely bright future.
Eyeing a court with interest while visiting a museum, then 8-year-old Neil found his passion quickly when he was given the chance to by his dad to try tennis.
An obvious fit, Neil just earned the 2019 Class 4A State Title, battling Cheyenne Mountain’s Joey Geisz to win in three sets, 2-6, 6-2, 6-2.
Going into the state tournament, Neil’s focus was not just on securing his own win.
“It’s not about winning. It’s about HOW you win. That’s the key. If you win being a poor sport, or poor teammate, who cares if you win,” he said.
That drive to support others is also reflected in his time spent with the Niwot Boys Tennis Coach, Miikka Keronen’s daughter, Sophia, who has Down Syndrome.
“She wanted to hit some balls. It was good practice and had a lot of fun,” he said of that experience.
Neil is close to his own family and appreciate the opportunities he’s been given.
“My parents are very supportive,” he said of parents Keith and Mely, helping to curb the pressure that inevitably comes from playing at his level and helping to balance the expectations of those around him.
He also said he has a strong bond with his brother, Alan, who is 18 months younger.
“We have to learn things day to day,” he explained discussing both the pros and cons of home schooling. “You don’t have the socialization at school, but you work a lot on self-solving for problems.”
When asked what the number one thing he could do to come out on top at the state tournament and future matches ahead, he said his mental game would be the key.
“Everyone works really hard to be physically good. You have to be physically fit. I have to stay focused on the court,” he explained.
Neil feels the problem with American tennis comes from the time they are spending on the court. He also said that more than anything tennis is mental sport. He said had gone through phases in his own career of getting really mad and frustrated and realized he had to solve that.
Admiring Roger Federer, “for his calm, smart, composed approach to tennis,” Neil said he now takes time before matches to get focused and find that quiet confidence within.
He also said that tennis is mostly about focusing on that little things.
“While winning is really great and makes you feel good, it’s the little things that are going to make the difference,” he said of his approach.
His advice for younger players came from his own experience and introspection.
“No matter what you do, have fun playing. If you lose the passion, there’s no point in playing.”
Looking towards the future, Neil is eyeing the Navy, having come from a strong military family. This would allow him to defer service if he has the chance to play professionally and he feels it would be his best option.
“I play it because I love it,” he said, explaining that his passion for tennis will be the key to future success.
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