Not too many people will ever meet an 18-year-old college student like Lauren Hewett.
The University of Tampa’s freshman tennis player has not only traveled the world playing tennis, but she has lived in multiple countries during her life.
Hewett has lived in England a total of 12 years, as well as residing in Hong Kong for six. Her father, Andrew, moved to both countries at different times due to work, which introduced Hewett into the game of tennis.
Hewett started playing tennis at a local country club with her mother and brother in Hong Kong when she was in elementary school. In Hong Kong, her interest for tennis skyrocketed and she fell in love with the game.One of her biggest mentors and first coach was Kristin Godridge, who taught and introduced Hewett to competitive tennis. Godridge, a two-time U.S. Open Juniors Double champion (1990-1991) taught Hewett the ropes.
“Kristin really showed me the game of tennis and how the game is supposed to be played. She was a great teacher and she has helped me become the player I am today,” stated Hewett.
As her tennis life sparked, Hewett and her family continued the sport by traveling the world to play in different tournaments.
Hewett has played tournaments in five different countries including Hong Kong, England, France, Scotland and Wales. Playing in different countries added new experience and talent growth to Hewett’s game.
In England tennis is played on grass courts while in France it is played on clay, and in Hong Kong, as in America, it is played on her personal favorite, a hard surface. The experience has helped her enormously.“It helped me realize how to play in different styles and techniques. You can’t play the same way in those countries because the courts are so different. The court styles have also helped me for the change to American tennis,” said Hewett.
As Hewett has lived in Hertfordshire, England for the past seven years, a decision to move to the U.S. and pursue college life in America became a well-rounded idea.
She had friends who previously went to school and played tennis in America in Las Vegas and North Carolina and told Hewett how amazing it was to play and live in the States.As Hewett talked to her parents, the idea became reality.
“I wanted to play more tennis than I would in England, which made America the best option for me,” stated Hewett.
Hewett began the decision process of looking at colleges, and UT stuck out as the best option due to the well-developed environmental science program and the consistent nice weather.
Since day one, life and tennis in America has been nothing but successful. She started taking classes focusing on her major, which highly interests her, while joining the tennis team in impressive fashion. With another change to hard courts, playing tennis on a different surface is not the only change that comes with American tennis.
“The attitude is a lot different here. Teammates and coaches are a lot more positive and always looking for the good in you. It is always about improving and not dwelling on the past,” said Hewett.
As the attitude of tennis differs, Hewett believes that the training in America is a big plus to her overall game. In the fall semester, the team lifted weights two times a week, which has helped her with her serving and returning against harder hitters.
As the 5’8” freshman begins the season, she has entered the squad at the number one position. She has accepted the spotlight and brings new energy to the team.According to tennis coach Al DuFaux, Hewett’s international experience and past success has been noticed and praised.
“Anytime a player is exposed to different styles of play, surfaces and languages it makes for a better player. She has made an immediate impact on the team this year especially for a freshman coming in and playing the number one position,” stated Coach DuFaux.
Hewett has had a slow start to her 2011 campaign, but Coach DuFaux believes that the transfer from junior tennis to the college level is not an easy task.
“There is always an adjustment, but only the best make it to the college level. She is a great player and competing in Florida takes some time to get used to, there are no easy matches,” he stated.While the adjustment into the college level has begun, playing in America has been great to Hewett so far.
“I love being on the team here. It’s been fun to play together and cheer everyone on. We are all supportive of each other, which is another reason why I love playing tennis in America. We blend well as a team.”
As Hewett plays her freshman year at UT, her future looks bright for tennis and off-the-court success. Hewett is also very involved in environmental issues and protection. She has worked in Geneva two years ago with Forest Trust and looks forward to a possible career with conservation work. The Division II nationally ranked No. 40 Spartans have their next match against Bentley University on March 19.
Michael Paonessa can be reached at mpaonessa@spartans.ut.edu.