Name: Jake Steinberg
School: Sharon High School
Grade: 11
Singles/Doubles: Doubles
Height: 5’ 4”
Favorite Subject: History
What You Need To Know:
How did you get started and who introduced you to the sport?
My parents thought I would be pretty good at tennis so they introduced it to me probably when I was about four. I started having lessons once a week and then my love for the game just skyrocketed from there. I haven’t stopped playing since.
What’s the best part about being on a team?
The best part about being on a team is having people around you when something is going wrong during a game or match. Tennis as a whole is an individual sport, but in high school, it’s a team sport, and to have people cheering me on motivates me to play better, especially when I am not playing well.
What is the best part of playing for Sharon High School?
Definitely the winning tradition Sharon High has with their tennis. We have won 32 consecutive Hockomock titles and that is a remarkable number. It makes everyone on the team realize how lucky they are to play on this team. It also pushes everyone to work that much harder to not break the streak.
What are your goals for after high school?
My main priority for after high school is getting into college. I am not looking to play soccer or tennis in college but if the opportunity comes, I will definitely take it. If not, I just have to focus on my academics. I hope to eventually become a dentist.
What is your favorite tennis memory?
My favorite tennis memory occurred last year in the state tournament. We were playing Medfield in the south semis, I believe, and my partner Eric Bloom and I were down 4-1 or 5-1 in the third set and came back to win! It was also nice clinching the match with a backhand down the line winner.
When you're not practicing, what can people find you doing?
People can just find me causing a ruckus. I have been called crazy more times than I can count and I am just always doing something different. If you went to the Good Food Store in Walpole or Chipotle, you could probably find me there too. I love food.
What are your pregame/postgame rituals?
I have never really had any pre-game or post-game rituals. As much as my teammates and coach hate it, I love to fool around and go crazy before matches to get focused. It works for me, I feel that I have to be loose and not worry about anything to play my best. After matches, I usually go and get a nice bite to eat.