University of Minnesota Athletics
Corwin's Strong Summer Providing Confidence
8/19/2015 12:00:00 AM | Men's Tennis
Even though he was listed as a freshman, Felix Corwin played as if he were a seasoned veteran last season and has not slowed down this summer, accomplishing one impressive feat after another.
"Felix was beyond his years with his maturity when it came to his work ethic and how he competes," Head Coach Geoff Young said.
Corwin won the first six sets of his collegiate career, became the first Gopher since 2003 to win the Big Ten Indoor Championships singles title and finished with a 28-6 singles record while his 25-7 doubles mark tied him for the seventh-most doubles wins in a single season in program history.
"I learned a lot from Geoff (Young), Urban (Ljubic) and the seniors this past season," Corwin said. "The college atmosphere helped me mature in my game and become mentally stronger."
After that kind of first season, most people would be satisfied, but not Corwin. He went right back to work, competing in some big tournaments this summer. He won the US Sectional Qualifier in Minneapolis, earned his first ATP points in another event and made it to the semifinals of the ITA/USTA National Summer Championships.
"He hit the ground running from the get-go and it's not surprising to me that he has had the summer he has had," Young said.
The US Sectional Qualifier took place on the U of M campus at Baseline Tennis Center. Corwin defeated the tournament's defending champion to advance to the US Open National Playoffs, which will be held Aug. 21-24 at the Connecticut Tennis Center at Yale University in New Haven, Conn.
"I have had opportunities to play good players all summer," Corwin said. "I signed up for a lot of these tournaments to play matches against strong competition, improve and mature in my game. I have had a lot of close matches this summer that have given me valuable experience."
Corwin later competed at the Edwardsville USA F23 Futures where he picked up his first ATP points, advancing to the quarterfinals.
At the ITA Summer Championships, Corwin won four matches before losing in the semifinals. Up next, at the US Open National Playoffs, he will compete in a draw of 16 with the winner earning a wild card into the 2015 US Open Qualifying Tournament, held Aug. 25-28 at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in New York.
"I am excited for this tournament because there is no pressure. It would be crazy for me to go through it so I am just excited for the opportunity to play in it," Corwin said.
Young said he sees Corwin as a player that will help take the program to the next level. "The more you can dig deep into the battle and give yourself an opportunity to learn and to believe in what you are able to do, the better. He has done a lot of that this summer."
Corwin feels he has gained valuable experience this summer and is ready to pick up right where he left off last season. "I have gained confidence and gotten some wins under belt that will carry me into next season."
For a look at the US Open National Playoffs Draw click here.
Follow along on Gopher Men's Tennis Facebook and Twitter to see how Felix is doing this weekend.
Players Mentioned
