VIDEO: Gjorgji Jankulovski Interview
JEFFERSON CITY, Tenn. – Following a week off from competition, the Carson-Newman men's tennis team heads to the ITA Fall Championships in Sumter, South Carolina, to compete against the best of the best.
After a solid first event of the fall season at the LMU Invitational, senior Gjorgji Jankulovski has spent the past couple of weeks fine-tuning his game to prepare for the stout competition at the ITAs.
"The first tournament was pretty tough because we hadn't practiced a lot during the summer," Jankulovski said. "But it was great to meet all the new freshmen and make a good atmosphere out there… I'm really looking forward to this weekend and facing off against good competition. We've been working hard these past days, and I am very excited to get out there."
As a senior, Jankulovski has embraced a new leadership role and has found ways to impact the younger players throughout the fall season.
"Being a senior is definitely different," Jankulovski said. "I am always trying to share my experience with the youngsters… I am very excited to see them during the season and how they do with tough matches and good competition."
Coming into his final year with C-N, Jankulovski knows he can continue to improve and reach his full potential, and the ITAs are a great opportunity to do so.
"I really want to enjoy this last year," Jankulovski said. "I want to do my best, as always, for Carson-Newman. I always want to try my best in all my matches. I'm not sure if I have true goals right now, but I want to qualify for the tournament and the top five in the conference."
As an experienced player, Jankulovski knows the fall season can be used as a tune-up for dual matches in the spring. With a handful of newcomers entering the fold, the senior believes the Eagles will use the ITAs and the rest of the fall to figure out their doubles pairings.
"We are working more on doubles and trying to figure out the partners," Jankulovski said. "Especially with the newcomers, trying to mix some of us… Also, for the singles lineup, we will play matches in practice, and in the fall, competition will help us with our lineup for the spring."
The Eagles will look to take the next step in the four-day ITA Fall Championships starting on Saturday in Sumter, South Carolina.
