Jonathan Kim Clayton Valley – Tennis

Coach Frank Ortega didn’t mince his words when talking about his star player. He called him one of the best tennis players he’s ever coached, and it’s hard to disagree considering Kim has made a mockery of the Diablo Valley Athletic League. The senior has won DVAL singles title three years running. He’ll look to place a bow on his sparkling career with an NCS singles title on May 5.

Coach Frank Ortega didn’t mince his words when talking about his star player. He called him one of the best tennis players he’s ever coached, and it’s hard to disagree considering Kim has made a mockery of the Diablo Valley Athletic League. The senior has won DVAL singles title three years running. He’ll look to place a bow on his sparkling career with an NCS singles title on May 5.

SportStars Magazine: Why are you so dominant in league play?

Jonathan Kim: I’ve been playing tennis since I was 6 years old… a lot of the other players just started. I play a lot of USTA tournaments on the side and I also work with a pro coach in Fairfield. 

SSM: What have you done to prepare, physically and mentally, for NCS? 

JK: There are so many up and coming kids that it’s never easy. I go to Fairfield almost everyday. I try to go on a run every day after school. You have to go to the gym.

SSM: What part of your game have you been working on?

JK: Probably my serve. I had a six month period where my shoulder was injured. My coach and I have been taking it really lightly on my serve. But in tennis without a good serve it’s really hard to win matches. 

SSM: How have you grown this season? I’m a captain of the team. The goal was getting it team-oriented, seeing who can produce results. It’s not really a big difference from my game but how I think of it as a team-oriented thing. 

JONATHAN’S QUICK HITS

Favorite athlete: Novak Djokovic

Favorite sport (other than Tennis): Baseball

Favorite subject: Economics

Favorite Jamba Juice: Strawberry Surf Rider

Honorable Mention

Michael Doherty — The De La Salle senior setter greatly contributed to the Spartans winning the St. Francis Tournament on April 21. He also had 32 assists and four digs against San Ramon Valley on April 26.

RaeAnn Garza — The James Logan junior pitcher tossed a one-hitter against American-Fremont on April 23.

Erin Jeffery — The Carondelet junior’s 11 goals on April 21 were more than the entire Amador Valley lacrosse team combined as the Cougars won 20-10.