University of Memphis Athletics
Tigers No. 1 singles player Ryan Peniston.
Photo by: Zoe Davis
After his tennis marathon, Peniston's schedule back to normal
Apr 13, 2018 | Men's Tennis
The Tigers' No. 1 singles player had a non-stop run of matches
MEMPHIS, Tenn. – Ryan Peniston will not take Saturday's opponent lightly when the University of Memphis plays host to Temple in its final regular-season match of the spring.
But Peniston will be in the midst of what seems like a week off after what was a week he – or his body – won't soon forget.
In a nine-day span beginning March 31, Peniston, a senior from Great Britain, played 10 matches, a mix of minor professional matches and the UofM's college schedule. It was a tennis marathon, of sorts, he never has experienced.
"Mentally, I was struggling (by the April 6 college match vs. USF)," Peniston said. "And by the UCF match Sunday (April 8), I was struggling a bit physically. It definitely took a little toll on my body, but I've had a couple of days rest now and I feel better."
The 17th-ranked Tigers (16-4, 4-0 American Athletic Conference) will put their 11-match winning streak on the line beginning at 10 a.m. Saturday at The Racquet Club. A win would tie for the second-longest streak in school history.
A professional Futures tournament, held at nearby Germantown Country Club, afforded Peniston the opportunity to participate as an amateur and accumulate some Association of Tennis Professionals World Tour rankings points. Sprinkled in between were two home college tennis matches, held a 15-minute drive away at The Racquet Club of Memphis.
His overloaded scheduled started with the first of three qualifying matches in as many days for the Futures event, the Spell Restaurant Group Men's Pro Tennis Championship. Futures are generally considered a pathway to tour-level competition for aspiring players.
What followed was: an opening-round Futures match Wednesday, a round of 16 match Thursday, a college singles and doubles match Friday against USF, a loss in the Futures in Saturday's quarterfinals and a college singles and doubles match Sunday.
Never had Peniston, the UofM's No. 1 singles player, been so happy to see rain on Friday, a heavy downpour that postponed play in the Futures – held on outdoor courts – and allowed him to concern himself only with the college match against USF, played indoors at The Racquet Club.
Peniston said he was grateful to Tigers coach Paul Goebel, who understands the importance of allowing his players to be part of such events.
"Coach is amazing about that," Peniston said. "He actually wanted me to do well in the (Futures) tournament" and work through potential conflicts.
"Not many coaches would do that," Peniston said.
Peniston is no stranger to the Futures. He played 15 events last year from June to December and reached a semifinal in Portugal. His world ranking, No. 955 at the end of last year, likely will improve into the upper 800s after his results from the Germantown event are tabulated.
"I definitely want to be better," he said. "My dream is to play at Wimbledon (an hour's drive from his home in Great Wakering). As an English person, your chances to get a wild card into the main draw (improve) if you are ranked in the top 250 (in the world). That would be amazing."
But Peniston will be in the midst of what seems like a week off after what was a week he – or his body – won't soon forget.
In a nine-day span beginning March 31, Peniston, a senior from Great Britain, played 10 matches, a mix of minor professional matches and the UofM's college schedule. It was a tennis marathon, of sorts, he never has experienced.
"Mentally, I was struggling (by the April 6 college match vs. USF)," Peniston said. "And by the UCF match Sunday (April 8), I was struggling a bit physically. It definitely took a little toll on my body, but I've had a couple of days rest now and I feel better."
The 17th-ranked Tigers (16-4, 4-0 American Athletic Conference) will put their 11-match winning streak on the line beginning at 10 a.m. Saturday at The Racquet Club. A win would tie for the second-longest streak in school history.
A professional Futures tournament, held at nearby Germantown Country Club, afforded Peniston the opportunity to participate as an amateur and accumulate some Association of Tennis Professionals World Tour rankings points. Sprinkled in between were two home college tennis matches, held a 15-minute drive away at The Racquet Club of Memphis.
His overloaded scheduled started with the first of three qualifying matches in as many days for the Futures event, the Spell Restaurant Group Men's Pro Tennis Championship. Futures are generally considered a pathway to tour-level competition for aspiring players.
What followed was: an opening-round Futures match Wednesday, a round of 16 match Thursday, a college singles and doubles match Friday against USF, a loss in the Futures in Saturday's quarterfinals and a college singles and doubles match Sunday.
Never had Peniston, the UofM's No. 1 singles player, been so happy to see rain on Friday, a heavy downpour that postponed play in the Futures – held on outdoor courts – and allowed him to concern himself only with the college match against USF, played indoors at The Racquet Club.
Peniston said he was grateful to Tigers coach Paul Goebel, who understands the importance of allowing his players to be part of such events.
"Coach is amazing about that," Peniston said. "He actually wanted me to do well in the (Futures) tournament" and work through potential conflicts.
"Not many coaches would do that," Peniston said.
Peniston is no stranger to the Futures. He played 15 events last year from June to December and reached a semifinal in Portugal. His world ranking, No. 955 at the end of last year, likely will improve into the upper 800s after his results from the Germantown event are tabulated.
"I definitely want to be better," he said. "My dream is to play at Wimbledon (an hour's drive from his home in Great Wakering). As an English person, your chances to get a wild card into the main draw (improve) if you are ranked in the top 250 (in the world). That would be amazing."
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