A smile gleams across his face. His racket aimed for the ball. His legs in position.
This is just another game for boys senior tennis captain Tushar Pathuri.
“My cousins have been playing since they were kids,” Pathuri said. “I looked up to them, so them playing and being so good motivated me.”
Starting later than most, he decided to begin playing for the Coppell Middle School East team, where he met many of the connections he still has today, one being junior Sourav Tupurani.
“I always looked up to Tushar, and he was like an elder brother to me. He basically taught me how to play,” Tupurani said.
Soon after, Pathuri joined the Coppell High School tennis team as a freshman. He spent the year learning about the team, gaining experience and valuable insight.
“Freshman year was more like having a big group and big team, learning the ins and outs and how people act on the team,” Pathuri said.
As a sophomore, Pathuri decided to step away from the team.
“I went off campus because I was trying to focus up,” Pathuri said. “I thought it would significantly benefit me and it did because I had a pretty big jump.
This did not move him further from his love for tennis. Rejoining the team during his junior year, he quickly regained his flow and grew drastically from his previous years in both skill and dedication. Playing line five for the team immediately put him into the action of the game.
“He may be the player that’s grown the most within the program over the past three years that I’ve seen,” Coppell coach Alyssa Noonan said. “It is truly a testament to his heart, dedication and his willingness to take coaching, be uncomfortable and try to get better at things.”
When it came to senior year, being chosen as captain was not a surprise to anyone.
“When the nominations came in from his teammates, it was very loud and clear that he was someone that the team wanted in a leadership role,” Noonan said.
Being selected captain came with a big jump in the ladder but also new responsibilities. Although competitions can be stressful at times, Pathuri never lets that get in the way.
“He has so much drive and heart and we know he’s gonna compete no matter who he’s against,” assistant coach Chris Terry said.
Outside, he plays a big role in the communication and encouraging the team.
“He knows when to take charge when coaches are not there and he is there when you need him,” senior manager Suhas Veeramaneni said. “He knows what’s best for the team and is always supporting you with an answer to your problem.”
Pathuri’s responsibilities and ideals are setting high standards and setting him up for success in the future.
“No matter who his partner is, I know that there is always going to be open dialogue on his court. He does that really well, being able to lift up his partner and problem solve,” Noonan said. “I could see Tushar being a coach one day. His head is in the right place and his body is moving in the right direction, and this year he has had a ton of success and won some huge matches.”
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