Feb. 6, 2017
BY COY GILL
UTSPORTS.COM
Sophomore Timo Stodder's second campaign with the men's tennis has started well as the Vols are off to a 6-2 start.
In his first full season on court for the Vols, the Berlin, Germany, native is 16-7 on the season in singles play while manning the No. 1 spot. He and Scott Jones have also had strong outings this year in doubles play from the second position.
For this week's Serve & Volley, Stodder talks about his quick start to the season, his passion for fast cars, and the team's experience with being stranded during last week's Delta systems failure.
Q: You are the new No. 1 this year after primarily playing two and three last year, what has it been like leading the team at the top spot for singles?
A:
It's a huge honor for me that the coaches have so much trust in me that I can be the number one on the team. The team is also relying on me though, so I need to make my points up there. We still have other good players behind me that also deserve to play one. It's a team sport so we need to get our points together.
Q: Even though last year you ended up only making it in half way through, you have matched your win total from last year already. What are your thoughts so far on your sophomore campaign?
A:
Last year, it was kind of tough because of all the injuries from the other players. It was also my first year of college tennis; it's a little bit different than normal tennis with how like they decide the point and the pressure after every point. I think I have just settled in after this year now, so I can play my own tennis -- what I'm actually capable of. I'm looking forward to the next SEC matches.
Q: You are just a sophomore and there are many other younger players playing very often on this team. What's it like having a team that is so young, but still playing very well? How does that affect the team dynamic?
A:
It's always important to have a good chemistry on a team. I think the guys are getting along better this year than last year. Young players are a good thing because we can play for the next two or three years, maybe, with the same team. We can build up our chemistry from year to year and also our type of game.
Q: You have been playing doubles with Freshman Scott Jones the past year and have had a good deal of success. How are you feeling about your and Scott's doubles play so far?
A:
We started awesome with that first tournament win that we had against three ranked doubles teams. After that we had a small leg off of our game style, but we figured it out again. It is fun to play with him. He has great volleys; he has great hands. He has good view of the court on where he is playing the ball. It's a lot of fun to play with him.
Q: This weekend versus Harvard and Cornell you got two wins in doubles and split in singles play. How are you feeling about this past weekend?
A:
First of all, it's good that we won as a team versus Harvard, unfortunately we lost against Cornell. I think we could have done a better job with that. With a little bit more luck, we could have won. Individually, I didn't play my best tennis my first match -- probably should have won that -- but I played really good in my second singles match. Also, to play with Scott in doubles is great. If I'm not playing good; he is playing good, so it is kind of even every time.
Q: So, this past weekend after you all got done, Delta had their global systems failure--real fun time for you. I hear that the silver lining to this is that you go to hear Ryan Smith's rendition of some Back Street Boy's Songs. What do you think of his singing ability?
A:
I actually recommended that song, and we also involved some people around us. The girls in the row in front of us were singing with us. About the singing lessons that Ryan took.. or maybe didn't take. I don't know, I don't really like his singing skills. [laughs]
Q: So, if you were old school American Idol Simon Cowell, is he going to Hollywood, or is he not?
A:
Umm ... He should stick with tennis. [laughs] He is still a good entertainer; probably the best entertainer on our team.
Q: From what I hear, in Germany you used to play soccer at a rather high level?
A:
Yeah, I played soccer when I was younger. At the age of probably 13, my coaches in tennis and soccer and my parents gave me an ultimatum to decide between both sports.
Q: Would you pick it back up maybe, or is it just tennis and soccer on the side occasionally now?
A:
I think it's just tennis with soccer on the side. I used to probably be better at soccer, but I haven't played for a while now, so it's hard to pick up all of the skills.
Q: Amanda [Pruitt] and I were talking about emojis and how autocorrect will sometimes suggest some weird emojis for words earlier. So, if you were an emoji what emoji would you be?
A:
I think generally I'm a happy person. Some people that don't know me that well think I'm cocky or a little bit arrogant, so maybe a smiley with sunglasses on. [laughs]
Q: Alright, so I was thinking you were going to go with the O.G. smiley face, but you are going with the "grinning with shades on" one, I see. I like the choice. So, as is tradition, there is a certain question I have to finish with. What are your thoughts on the driving abilities of the team? Give me the good thoughts, and the bad.
A:
Americans are not the best drivers, you could say it like that. German's are, most of the times, pretty fast drivers. We have the best drivers in Formula One. We have the Autobahn. I love driving, and I love everything that goes with driving--car racing, any type of racing. I think I'm a pretty good driver. Luis [Valero] can drive pretty good in my opinion. Preston is ok for an American. About Sunay [Bhat] and Jack Schipanski's driving skills... I haven't seen them making big mistakes or something, but it's still kind of slow and more the relaxed driver. But, that's fine with me.
Q: Interesting, last time Jack said that he was one of the two best drivers on the team. You throwing that into question now? [laughs]
A:
It is probably hard for him to drive here since it is on the right side of the street.
Q: So, driving is actually another hobby of yours then?
A:
I also used to drive a Formula One simulator back in Germany. That was a lot of fun. If I couldn't be a tennis player, I would probably do something with racing.
Q: Formula One is something you would like to do?
A:
Yeah.
Q: Who is your favorite driver?
A:
Sebastian Vettel was really good the last couple of years.
