Sports: Real Tennis, Hockey, Rackets - Benedict Yorston
- Year: Third
- Subject: Physics & Philosophy
- Sport: Real Tennis, Hockey, Rackets
- Position: Forward for hockey
Details of your sporting career at Merton and Oxford
For the University: Full Blue and Captain of Real Tennis, World Number 8 U25s, Team GB; Hockey 2nd Team Striker; Half-blue for Rackets.
For the College: Squash Cuppers Champions; sporadic appearances for Football, Netball, Cricket, and Tennis.
What got you started in your sport?
Cricket and tennis were my first loves, and I used to spend hours playing the former on the road between mine and my neighbour’s house. The love of hitting balls with a stick came from there and the Hockey, Rackets, Real Tennis and Squash followed pretty naturally from that!
Who is your sporting hero?
Federer – never seen anybody look so utterly at ease playing their sport. An artist.
What’s been your greatest moment on the field of play so far?
Our 8-0 whitewash of Cambridge at Hockey was pretty good this season! Giving a speech in the Long Room at Lord’s after a triumphant Real Tennis match was also incredibly special, as cricket was my first love so it’s a special place.
Finally, what word, phrase or mental picture do you use to get yourself through the tough times in your sport?
Similar answer to the hero question actually, I think about how utterly calm Federer remains throughout and try to channel that.