VYPE: What do you love most about being a student-athlete at Jenks HS?
Tej Beniwal: The thing I love most about being a student-athlete is the friends I have made on the team and the school spirit that comes out, especially at state. My voice was gone for two days after state.
VYPE: What’s your favorite subject in school and do you have a favorite teacher?
TB: My favorite subject is chemistry, and my favorite teacher is Dr. McCrackin.
VYPE: At what age did you discover your interest in tennis?
TB: I started playing tennis somewhat regularly around the age of 10.
VYPE: What’s it like to call outs for your opponent?
TB: Close line calls are always hard to make, and line judges are not perfect either. Hopefully at some point automatic line callers are installed to courts regularly.
VYPE: Tennis, pickle ball, or ping pong, which are you playing for fun?
TB: If I’m playing with friends that don’t play tennis, I’d say pickleball. If there’s a ping pong table on hand though, it’s also super fun.
VYPE: What motivates you to keep playing and striving for improvement?
TB: What motivates me to keep striving is being one of the leaders of the team and demonstrating to others the level they can also achieve. Next year, we will have a solid shot at the championship, which will carry my motivation for the rest of my high school career.
VYPE: Which teammate always impresses you the most or do you have a former teammate who left an impression on you?
TB: Krishna is definitely the teammate that impresses me the most. His personality off the court is very unserious and he’s always being goofy. As soon as he gets on the court though, you can see the focus on his face. He’s completely locked in, and that switch from off the court to on the court is something everybody should aspire to have.
VYPE: Who has been a big influence in your life?
TB: A big influence in my life has definitely been my dad. He’s been with me for my whole tennis journey, as a driver, hitting partner, and coach. Even outside tennis, he makes sure I work hard and succeed at everything I do, making sure that I’m set up for the future.
VYPE: What do you enjoy doing in your free time outside of school and sports?
TB: I enjoy hiking, bird watching, watching TV shows, and playing the cello.
VYPE: What would you like to do after you graduate?
TB: After I graduate, I would like to go to college on the pre-med track and eventually become a doctor.
