Tennis: Williams hopes to improve game at UT

Citing a need to improve his game and a desire to win a national championship, Knoxville’s Rhyne Williams committed earlier this week to play his college tennis at Tennessee.

Williams, ranked as high as No. 8 in the world in the juniors, picked the Vols over Duke and Illinois. He is expected to sign within the next two weeks.

``I feel like we have an unbelievable team and I think we have a great chance to win the NCAA title,’’ said Williams, who plans to enroll at UT in the fall. ``That would be the best thing ever.’’

Williams, 18, said he plans to play at Tennessee for ``three or four years. I’m in it for the long run.’’

He thinks practicing with high quality teammates, competing in the challenging SEC and being pushed by UT coaches Sam Winterbotham and Chris Woodruff will prepare him for the pro ranks.

There was a time Williams considered turning pro over attending college.

``My results haven’t been coming lately and I feel I need a two or three years to mature and grow up and do things on my own and get physically and mentally better,’’ said Williams, who was home schooled during his high school years. ``I have a lot of things to work on and I feel like I can get better in every area of my game.’’

Williams said his best surface is a slow hardcourt or clay.

Rhyne’s father, Bob Williams, a former Duke player, said a long-standing relationship with Woodruff and the job Winterbotham has done at Tennessee were factors in Rhyne’s decision.

``We think it’s an opportunity for Rhyne to continue to grow and learn the rigors and responsibilities that college requires,’’ Bob Williams said. ``That’s all part of the maturity process. I think he’s really going to have a good time.

``He’s been gone a lot, traveled a lot, experienced a lot of different cultures overseas, and I think he’s probably thankful to have an opportunity to be home a little bit.’’

Because of tennis, Rhyne Williams has had the good fortune of hitting with guys like Roger Federer (Federer won a set 6-2), James Blake, Tommy Haas and Mardy Fish. He’s played in the French Open Juniors and U.S. Open Juniors. He’s played an exhibition against Miami’s highly touted tennis team. He’s won a Futures pro event.

Williams didn’t play the French Open Juniors this year because he would have had to go through qualifying. He might play in the U.S. Open Juniors if he gets a wild card.

Williams’ junior ranking is down because he hasn’t been playing many junior events. He’s been focused on fitness and gaining strength.

Williams has had at least a half dozen coaches.

``It’s definitely helped me,’’ Williams said. ``I love getting all the information I can. I try to be a student of the game and listen to everybody. … It’s good to have an open mind and not only listen to one person.’’

Williams believes he has the mental makeup to be successful.

``Mentally, I feel pretty good,’’ he said. ``I always compete hard. I think that can win me a lot of matches.’’

In his earlier years, Williams had a quick temper that caused him problems. His father once took him off the court after an outburst.

``I feel like I’ve improved a ton in the last six months,’’ Williams said. ``I feel like I’m a lot more calm and hopefully by making the decision to go to college, I’ll be even more calm out there. I just want to conquer the mental problems I’ve had in the past.’’

Tennis can be an individual sport, but Williams is excited about the team aspect. He grew up playing baseball and basketball and said he’s missed sharing moments with teammates.

``I love being in a team atmosphere,’’ Williams said. ``It makes me feel like I’m not only playing for myself, but the other guys. I just want to go to Tennessee and show the other guys what I’m made of and I really want to earn their respect.

``That will also improve my game — playing the team role. And I think I’ll have a lot of fun with that.’’

Jimmy Hyams is a freelance contributor.

© 2009, Knoxville News Sentinel Co.
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