There are many sports out there and when Landon Smith (10) got to have his pick, he chose tennis. Smith found his sport in seventh grade after being encouraged by his father.

Smith decided on tennis because he enjoys the self-reliance and self-growth that is needed for the sport.

“My dad got me into tennis by encouraging me to play sports,” Smith said. “I picked tennis because you have to rely on yourself, you don’t have to rely on other people. It’s mostly about improving myself and getting my game better.”

Smith turns the improvements he needs to make on the court into lessons so he can achieve his goals. Wanting to go into the medical field, Smith has to be prepared for the long years of work ahead of him. 

“I want to have a medical career. I want to be a cardiologist. That’s my goal,” Smith said. “Tennis taught me that you have to work hard for everything, nothing is given to you; you have to earn it.”

Smith has put in lots of work since he chose tennis as he is now on the highshool varsity team. In addition to that, he has made accomplishments such as achieving second in Sectionals and third in the DAC. 

“It took a lot of practice and I had to work very hard. One challenge for me was being mentally strong through the tough matches and the tough things that happened,” Smith said. “I have to focus and do the best I can. At every point, I get back into the grove of things.”

Tennis has affected the way Smith looks at things, knowing that it takes time and hardwork to get where he wants to be. Even through the tough moments he still finds a way to enjoy the sport.