SARATOGA SPRINGS — Nick Grasso, a right-handed tennis player at Saratoga Springs High School believes that one’s character both on and off the court is an athlete’s most notable quality.
Grasso began playing tennis while attending a summer camp at eight years old. He would see experienced tennis players practicing at the camp, and he thought to himself that maybe he should give it a try. After discovering his natural talent with a racket, tennis soon became his favorite sport.
“The fact that it’s an individual sport. When you do something well or you play a good match it’s solely because you played well yourself or if you lost its also on you. I like that individual factor, that the results are dependent on you,” said Grasso.
Though playing tennis may be an individual sport, Grasso has a strong team behind him. His friends coaches Tim O’Brien and Kurt Decker, and Rich John’s from Act With Respect Always, are a few people who constantly support Grasso, and keep tabs on how his game is. However, the biggest support system Grasso can name are his parents.
“Tennis is not an easy sport to play because in the U.S. it’s still growing a little bit,” said Grasso. “It’s long driving to the tournaments; three to four-hour drives but they are always willing to support me and drive me.”
Grasso’s two biggest inspirations couldn’t be any more different athletically speaking, but it’s the off-the-court commonality that Grosso resonates with. One would be Swedish tennis player Roger Federer, due to his sportsmanship and the way he carries himself. On a more personal note, Grosso admires his grandfather, as he is friendly and outgoing and tries to make friends with everyone.
“I like to try to bring that when I’m playing because I would much rather be remembered for my sportsmanship and being kind rather than being someone who’s not so kind but playing well,” said Grasso.
