Issue date: 2/11/09 Section: Sports

Eastern freshman women's tennis player Shannon Brooks comes from a tennis family. Her father was her tennis coach in high school and she played along the side of her sister Courtney. She made the state tournament as doubles player all throughout her high school tournament. Brooks also had a sister that played tennis at Northern Illinois. (Alycia Rockey / The Daily Eastern News)

Earlier this week, Staff Reporter Richard Morse had a chance to chat with one of Eastern's newest additions to the tennis program — freshman Shannon Brooks. She spoke about growing up in a tennis family, living away from home and memories of sharing the courts with her sister Courtney, who plays tennis at Western Illinois. Her dad was the tennis coach at West Aurora.

How difficult was it to play for your dad?

It wasn't really that hard at all because he knew me. When I would get mad in certain situations, he would know how to approach me and he would know what to say. He just knew everything I needed to hear. He wouldn't come down on me like other coaches would. He wasn't my only coach; he was just my high school coach. I had a different coach that taught me and gave me lessons.

What is your favorite thing about Eastern?

Probably the people, I've met a lot of cool people since I've been here. I've had a really good time here. Tennis has taken up a lot of my time, but in a good way. It's OK. I'd rather be playing tennis because I've managed my time a lot better.

What adjustments have you made?

I feel like there's a lot more pressure, just because I'm a freshman, and I have to prove myself. In high school I was the best on my team, there was no pressure, but now I have to prove myself.

What is different from high school?

I have to take everything in. I have to control my emotions a lot more. I have to take everything in that my new coach says.
With my dad, if I didn't like something he said I would tell him. But I have to take more things into consideration because it's new ideas that I haven't heard before.

Who is your favorite tennis player?

Venus (Williams), because she's not the best, but she always gives it her all.
Her sister is better than her, so she is always following behind her sister.
I like how she makes her own statement, rather than just being behind her sister.

What is your favorite tennis memory?

When my sister (Courtney) and I played at state together. We finished top nine in the state in doubles. Just because it was my sister and we're really close. She plays at Western Illinois.

What do you miss most about being home?

My family. I'm really close with my family. My sister and my cousins are my best friends. My two cousins went to my high school — one's my age and the other is two years younger than me. I hung out with them a lot.

How has your sister helped in tennis?

When we played together, when I would get upset she would make sure I'd stay calm. She was the type of person that wouldn't get upset when we played, so she always helped calm me down so I wasn't mean to her. It was nice to play with her because I could get mean, and she wouldn't take it too bad. She just made me think about things when I play doubles, like how to treat my partner.

Who would win in a re-match?

I think it would be fun. We both would be fine with it. We've played before in high school at practices. But my dad wouldn't have us compete too much because it's not worth it.

Why did you choose Eastern?

It was the first school I visited and the campus was really nice. And I liked (Eastern head coach John Blackburn).

What do you try to learn from tennis?

To not be much of a head case. When I play tennis, I think about things too much, and I've learned that I need to not do it as much.


Quick Hits

Favorite cereal?
Lucky Charms

Favorite pro sports team?
Cubs

Favorite teammate?
My sister Courtney

Favorite movie?
"A Cinderella Story"

Favorite TV show?
"The Hills"

Favorite color?
Pink

Favorite soft drink?
Sprite

Richard Morse can be reached at 581-7944 or at rjmorse@eiu.edu.

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