In 2017, the USTA collegiate department debuted an event that junior players would not soon forget. The inaugural USTA All-American College Combine hosted 120 participants at the USTA National Campus where they showcased their skills in front of numerous college coaches.

 

During the Combine, players enjoyed seven fitness tests similar to what fans would see at the NFL and NBA Combines. They also battled in match play and received personalized feedback from the USTA about how they fared compared to their peers.

 

While the majority of the players were underclassmen, one high school senior stood out.

 

Hailing from Bradenton, Fla., Stewart Block made the trip over to Orlando and caught the eyes of the LSU coaching staff. Only a few weeks later, Block was the newest member of the Tigers’ men’s tennis team.

 

The USTA caught up with Block to see how his first season went in Baton Rouge.

 

For current juniors interested in learning more about the 2018 USTA All-American College Combine presented by adidas, visit the 2018 registration page. As of May 21, the boys' field has a wait list while there are openings for the girls' field. 

 

Q&A with LSU’s Stewart Block

Q: You just wrapped up finals and your first year at LSU. What do you think about when you look back on it?

 

A: When I look back on LSU, academically I realized that LSU really pushed me in not only my strengths, but also my weaknesses. In the spring semester I struggled in business calculus, but with the school providing me with tutors and advisors, I began to understand the concepts being taught. The subjects that I exceled in were history and general education studies. In the end I settled at LSU perfectly, and I’m academically pleased. They welcomed me and I love being a Tiger.

 

Q: What was it like playing Division I college tennis this past season?

 

A: Playing Division I college tennis was a lot of hard work. Being a student-athlete is something that has had its challenges but in the end it was worth it. Throughout the year I’ve learned so much from my coaches, Andi and Chris Brandi, and became a much stronger athlete mentally and physically. Overall, playing Division I college tennis has been a great experience.

 

Q: How did you first get involved with tennis?

 

A: I grew up in Bradenton and I first got started with tennis at the age of 11. My father played tennis in college and I found that very interesting and I wanted to follow in his footsteps. I instantly fell in love with the game and nothing has changed ever since.

 

Q: What was your experience like at the first USTA Combine?

 

A: My experience at the USTA Combine was great. I got a lot of playing time in and played multiple matches. It was set up with a great group of individuals and it really enabled me to speed up my college recruiting process.

 

Q: Did you have a school in mind before playing in the Combine?

 

A: Yes, I had a few schools in mind but the Combine really allowed me to extend my selection.

 

Q: What do you want to focus on going into year two with LSU?

 

A: Going into my sophomore year, I’d like to focus on my academics along with furthering my tennis career as a Tiger.