University of Minnesota Athletics
Summer Update: Mehvish Safdar
8/18/2015 12:00:00 AM | Tennis
Throughout the summer we have been catching up with the women's tennis players to see what they have been up to. This week we caught up with Sophomore Mehvish Safdar.
Gopher Sports: What have you been up to so far this summer? Have you seen any of the other players? Any big plans the little bit that is left?
Mehvish Safdar: I've really enjoyed myself this summer with getting some time to relax and take a break from the stress of school. Since I am 12 hours away from home during the school year, I was really happy that I got to reunite and spend a lot of time with my family and high school friends these past few months. As far as tennis goes, I have been practicing every day and played two ITA tournaments in July. It was good to get some matches in and I also got to see my teammate and future roommate, Alex Bergman, at the Notre Dame ITA, which was an additional bonus. I have also spent a lot of time focusing on strength training and conditioning this summer. I am feeling prepared and excited to kick off my sophomore year of tennis this fall at Minnesota.
School is approaching soon, and I am beyond excited to start back up but these last few weeks of summer here in Cincinnati are always my favorite. The Western and Southern Open is held at Cincinnati every year, where they hold an ATP event. I am really fortunate to live only five minutes away from the event, so I have already gone a few days and plan to go watch a few more matches this week. There is no better way to close off the summer than to watch some of the top players in the world compete.
GS: Can you talk about your favorite sports thrill in winning high school state doubles tournament with your sister Komal and how it has been for both of you to be playing collegiate tennis now?
MS: I have been playing tournaments since I was six-years-old but there is nothing that can match the thrill of winning the state tournament with my sister. We got along really well on court and complimented each other's game styles, which made it really fun to be on court together and compete. At the time, I was a freshman and she was a senior, so going up to the state tournament was a brand new experience to me. We played at the Ohio State courts with a large audience and the atmosphere was exhilarating. Winning state as a freshman was its own thrill, but being able to do it with my sister closing off her senior year was a whole new level of excitement.
Here we are now, me going into my sophomore year of college playing tennis for Minnesota and my sister just graduating after playing for Syracuse University. Although her very successful tennis career is over as she continues to pursue the medical tract. It was always nice to have someone with a similar mindset and lifestyle as me in regards to college athletics. Komal has always been very supportive and encouraging towards my tennis, and I know she will continue to be a source of inspiration and support throughout the rest of my years as a student-athlete at Minnesota.
GS: Who on your team has the best dance moves?
MS: You can always find me dancing wherever I am or whoever I'm with, whether there is music or not, so I would like to think that I am the best dancer on the team but unfortunately I do not think I am. As hard as it is for me to admit, I would have to say Jessika Mozia is the best dancer on the team, but I would say I am a close second.
GS: If you could have any superpower what would it be and why?
MS: If I could have one superpower I would pick a healing power. One of the most terrifying and upsetting things as collegiate athlete is to see yourself or a teammate suffer from an injury. Before and after every practice we are all battling through injuries, some more severe than others, and I would do anything to save myself or my teammates from having to deal with that stress. Also if I had a healing power there would be no need for those painful post-practice/conditioning ice baths.
GS: What would you do if you won a million dollars today?
MS: If I won a million dollars today I would spend a good portion of it on buying outfits at lulu lemon, while spending the rest of the money on me and a friend traveling to different places around the world.
GS: What is your strangest talent?
MS: This is a tough one, there are not really any specific talents sticking out in my mind, but I do take pride in the fact that I can make a bunch of weird shapes with my tongue.
GS: What are you most excited for when the school year starts back up?
MS: I am really excited to be living with my two teammates, Caroline Ryba and Alexandra Bergman, in an apartment this year! I can't wait to move in in a few weeks!
