Swinging a tennis racket and hitting a small green ball may seem quite easy for some, but it is an entirely different ball game for Ejmin Mehranian (’11), ranked in the top five in the entire CIF league.
Because Mehranian competes as a singles player, he only has to worry about himself, and not blame or depend on a partner for his victories or losses.
Mehranian is a recognized singles tennis player for the varsity team, who has been playing tennis since he was eight years old.
Mehranian “wore himself out” during his freshman tennis tryout to show and prove that he had a unique talent in the sport. He was confident that he would make the team because he had also taken lessons before. Coach Julie Hoppe spotted his persevering efforts and put him on the varsity team.
“Ejmin is a very talented tennis player and he hates to lose,” Hoppe said. “When you combine his skill and determination, you get a very dangerous opponent.”
According to Hoppe, his games are similar to “watching a professional in action.”
“I just go into the court and I don’t give up,” Mehranian said. “I never quit and I fight for my points.”
For younger athletes who want to succeed like him, Mehranian believes all you need is good motivation, as well as to always play your absolute best.
“Ejmin is an undoubtedly tough competitor,” teammate Shero Beglarian (’10) said. “His mentality is headed straight for the win as soon as he walks onto the court.”
Though his competition drives him to play his best, he still shows good sportsmanship on the court.
He claims that his biggest strength is his serve and his biggest weakness is his backhand hit. He enjoys the rewarding feeling he achieves when he wins, as well as the feeling of relief after every practice.
“His quick thinking during the matches is the reason for all of his success in games,” father Razmik Mehranian said.
Although his father is very supportive of him, he agrees that Mehranian needs to be “more patient and try to control his anger.”
Mehranian’s most memorable moment in his tennis career was the first time he broke a racket when he hit the ball. As silly as this may seem, breaking a racket was a special moment for him because it meant that his hits were becoming more powerful than before.
He is currently being scouted by UCLA, which is a big honor for Mehranian and his family.
