Interview with Senior Tennis Captain Charlie Taylor
NEIRAD enilno edition
One of the most dominant doubles players in recent history, Darien’s very own Charlie Taylor can be both full of himself and a great team player, and that’s what makes him Charlie. Neirad Enilno’s Sean Gill talks with the four-year varsity player captain to find out the secret to his success on the court.
Are you the greatest tennis player to ever come through Darien high School?
"I am the greatest doubles player to ever come through this school. I was 22-0 last year and won a state championship. I’m unstoppable."
How important is tennis to you in your life?
"Tennis is my life. I got into school solely because of tennis. I’ve been playing tennis since the age of six."
What do you do when you aren’t playing tennis?
"I don’t do anything but play tennis."
How do you prepare for a tennis match?
"I eat all of the bagels and Kudos bars as much as I can, especially the ones with the M&Ms, those are the best."
Do you ever feel pressure?
"No, I usually go for my forehand in tight situations because it is the only shot I can rely."
How is it that you never feel pressure?
"I have no idea, I don’t feel pressure in any situation I’m in. I guess because I know that me and Sam (Jackson, a senior) have the ability to come back from any situation."
Why do you enjoy tennis?
"I like playing around with freshmen and smacking balls at them, like Ryo (Usami), only Ryo actually. I love Ryo."
Do you model your tennis game around any players?
"No, I’m my own unique player."
How would you describe your game?
"I’ve got a pretty big serve, only like 120 mph, my forehand is the best, I have good reflexes at the net, and no ball can get by me."
Did your short stint on Indoor track help you so that no balls can get by you?
"I did the laziest thing possible in high jump, so no, indoor track didn’t help at all."
Who is your biggest rival?
"New Canaan, me and Sam destroyed the New Canaan #1 doubles team. They were horrible, the coach for New Canaan thought me and Sam stacked our doubles team and he complained to the FCIAC Board that we were too good for doubles. He was like my #1 team is gonna go undefeated and we beat them 6-2, 6-2, so we dominated them."
How do you and Sam play together?
"I love Sam. He’s a great partner. He has a good backhand which allows me to play the forehand side. He also has a huge serve which sets me up for easy put a ways at the net."
You were a candidate for #1 singles before the season, so why are you playing doubles and not singles?
"At the beginning, there was no set #1 doubles team and our singles lineup was strong anyway so I decided a switch to #1 doubles would help the team."
So you are a team player.
"Yeah, I’m a team player."
How do you expect to do at the state tournament?
"We moved up to the L division so it’s gonna be tougher than the four years in a row we won at Class M. It’s gonna be a lot tougher with New Canaan (even though they suck), I think overall we have a good chance of winning. We have a strong singles lineup, and a strong doubles lineup."
Who is going to be the biggest points contributor?
"I think Britt (Gordon, a senior) has a good chance to go deep in the singles tournament."
What is your key to success in the State tournament?
"Our #2 doubles team has to step it up with Ryo & Malcolm (Willis), they are a strong but underrated team, and I think they will make a statement at States this year."
What is your favorite sport other than tennis?
"Basketball. I’m a house basketball legend. I’m nowhere near the level of Hotch (junior Graham Hotchkiss), but I’m better than Brent (Eppley, a senior). Cuz Hotch is just dirty."
What do you plan to do with tennis after high school?
"I’m gonna play #1 singles and doubles at Roanoke next year."
What is your favorite restaurant?
"Fuji. The rice is amazing. I also get the hibachi shrimp & steak combination."
Any last comments?
"Ryo, get ready to wear that Pikachu costume at States and bring lots of sushi."
