Vol Profile - Simon Rea - University of Tennessee Athletics

March 20, 2002

Vol Profile: Simon Rea

Vol Profile: Was there anything that had an influence on your decision to come to Tennessee?
Rea: "I was finishing high school in New Zealand last year, and I was traveling around playing in a lot of junior tournaments. I met and spoke to assistant Coach Mahoney at Junior Wimbledon, then I met Coach Fancutt in New York at the Junior U.S. Open, and we just kind of went from there."

Vol Profile: Now that you are here what would you say your favorite thing about UT?
Rea: "I love the excitement that the athletics bring to the town. Knoxville is a great town for the school to be in and the people here love their athletes. I feel very fortunate to be able to be a part of that and be a student-athlete here."

Vol Profile: Do you have any certain goals or expectations you've set for yourself this season?
Rea: "I would like to be part of a team that wins the National Championships and I would like to be ranked in singles and hopefully doubles as well in the spring. Then once I'm finished with school I would like to become a professional tennis player and make a living from the game."

Vol Profile: Do you have a favorite or most memorable moment on the court?
Rea: "My most memorable moment would probably be watching my teammate Mario (Toledo) clinch the match against Stanford in the quarterfinals of the NCAA last May."

Vol Profile: Do you have any outside or interests or hobbies?
Rea: "I like to play golf to relax. I like to just get away from tennis occasionally to take a break and refresh myself."

Vol Profile: Do you have any certain mental preparation or superstitions before a match?
Rea: "Before a match I like to listen to music and relax. I'm a little superstitious, if I play well on any certain day I like to use the same racquet or go through the same preparations that have been working well for me in the proceeding week or month."

Vol Profile: Do you have anyone you look to for motivation or a hero you try to mold yourself after?
Rea: "I have always looked up to a lot of Australian tennis players. I really looked up to my tennis coach back home, Chris Lewis, I got along well with him and he was a big factor in my tennis life."

Vol Profile: After you graduate, what would you like to be remembered for?
Rea: "I would like to be remembered for helping to lead this team to a National Championship."