Sports: Lawn Tennis - Jack Pickering
- Year: Second
- Subject: Chemistry
- Sport: Lawn Tennis
Details of your sporting career at Merton and Oxford
Last year I played for the University Men’s Second Team (M2) however in Trinity term I won the University Men’s Singles Championships and so I was promoted to the Men’s Blues for the Varsity Match (Oxford won 11-10).
What got you started in your sport?
Back in 2013, I won tickets in the Wimbledon Ballot for the Ladies Finals day. The day after I was there, Andy Murray won his first Wimbledon title and this really inspired me to start taking tennis more seriously, pushing me to train harder to become the best player I could be.
How do you manage to stay competitive in your chosen sport while maintaining the level of academic work required?
It’s not easy… some weeks the tennis will have to suffer as a result of a lot of work building up, but on the whole it’s perfectly manageable as long as you stay organised and don’t procrastinate so that you can hit all your deadlines. It’s also great to get away from the desk and go and play and I find this helps to boost my productivity.
What’s special about the sporting side of life at Merton?
First of all, it’s the people at college who make playing sport at Merton special. Everyone is so supportive no matter what sport you’re playing or level you’re playing at. Another huge benefit is the generosity of the college to give financial support to members who play at university level or higher by paying for membership fees and some kit costs for Varsity.
Who is your sporting hero?
Andy Murray.
What’s been your greatest moment on the field of play so far?
Probably last year, getting called up to play Blues Varsity a week before the event and then winning my singles match on the first day with both my parents there watching.
…and the worst?
I think, as any sportsperson will say, the worst times have to be those when you’re injured, as not only can it be painful to play, but also so frustrating that you can’t play your best and put in enough practice to improve.
Finally, what word, phrase or mental picture do you use to get yourself through the tough times in your sport?
Just keep going, it will get better…