Life Feature Athlete: Spring Lake Park boys tennis’ Benjamin Youngbauer

Feature

Spring Lake Park boys tennis senior Benjamin Youngbauer

Start in tennis

“I got my first racket when I was 3 years old, but I started really playing tennis in eighth grade. I was going to join the team, but with the pandemic decided against joining the team. I was hitting with my family for a while during COVID and joined the high school team freshman year, which was one of the best decisions I made. My parents are the ones who I first started playing with and are the ones who got me hooked!”

Favorite shot

“My favorite shot is definitely put-away volley shots! They are so satisfying when I have the chance to steal the ball out of the air and put a lot of power into something that I know my opponent can’t return.”

Singles or doubles

“I prefer playing doubles because I feel I can be more strategic when playing with a partner. We each have our roles and communication becomes a key part of strategy.”

Best part of team

“My favorite part of the SLP team is how encouraging we are of one another. In games we play or even in challenge matches against each other, everyone is very supportive of good shots and encouraging when players are struggling. We are a team; we are working together.”

Biggest challenge

“The hardest part is definitely the mental game. It’s hard to not get down on yourself when you whiff an easy shot or you run down a ball and just barely miss. But that’s where playing doubles comes back in too, because then there is someone always there to hype you up, to talk you through an idea or tactic, or to just move your head away from a frustrating mistake.”

Superstition

“I spin my racket in my hand before every serve; I don’t know why, but I can’t play a point unless I do!”

Top SLP tennis memory

“My favorite memory on the team is probably as simple as playing King of the Court with team at the end of practice. This is just such a fun community to be a part of that anytime we play anything together, it’s a fun time.”