Ethan Watts '21 Recruiting Profile

Recent Notable Wins

Alex McDonald (293) vs Ethan Watts (602) 

2020 AKT Trophy Center Tennis Grand Prix

Ethan won, 1-6, 6-1, 6-4

Jack Bruce Smith (898) and Sam Park (239) vs Ethan Watts (602) and Tawananyasha Manzvera 

2020 AKT Trophy Center Tennis Grand Prix

Ethan and Tawananyasha won, 6-4, 6-2

I grew up on the tennis court, red dust in my shoes and on my clothes from the clay court, always staining my socks and bedroom rug. I’ve been playing tennis since I was 4, I’m now 18. That is well over a decade of practicing forehands, backhands, volleys and serves, over and over, and then some. My after-school world was Vermont tennis club, the leafy grounds, the homely club room, court fences, striking the ball and tweaking my technique.

I have always been the driving force behind my tennis adventure, I was supported by my parents but never felt pressured to play and succeed. I thrive on competition and being the best I can be. I love playing tournaments.  I have accomplished much in my short career, from a ranking of 7 in the state of Victoria at age 10, to a General Excellence Scholarship at Wesley College, Glen Waverley at age 13. At 17, I was selected to captain the Tennis Firsts Team at Wesley College, and have been their number 1 tennis player for the past two years.

It has been very rewarding to be able to give back to the game I love and the people who have supported me. As captain of the Wesley Firsts Tennis Team I organize food rosters, host events at my house, and proudly lead and support my school team. I’ve also had the opportunity to coach and mentor younger children as an assistant coach at Vermont Tennis Club for 18 months. 

I’m excited by tennis and there is nothing I’d rather be doing more than hitting a tennis ball on those red clay courts, or any court for that matter.  My performance is on an upward trajectory, and I recently beat James McDonald, ranked 270, to reach the semi-finals of the 2020 2020 AKT Trophy Centre Tennis Grand Prix AMT, Boroondara, Australia. My recent tournament results show me consistently reaching the semi and quarter finals. 

I’m determined, hardworking and am focused on getting to the US to play tennis at College in 2021. I believe I would be a great asset to a college team, with my tennis talent, consistency, and on and off-court sportsmanship. My ground strokes have great depth of penetration, I have a powerful serve, I’m consistent, intelligent and mentally tough, running down absolutely every ball.  I feel respected by my tennis peers, and believe I have much on offer for a College team.