Pensacola Catholic boys tennis's Andrew Swan wins PNJ Athlete of the Week award
Pensacola Catholic boys tennis junior Andrew Swan made a big leap from fourth singles to second singles this past season, and finished with a winning record in 2024.
Despite a rough patch in the middle of the season, Swan went 8-7 on the year at second singles. He was also paired up with Max Frederick for most of the season at second doubles, where the duo went 10-4 on the year.
During the week that Swan won the PNJ Athlete of the Week award from April 15-20, Swan helped the Crusaders claim yet another district championship. In the semifinals, Swan won both second singles (6-1, 6-0) and second doubles (6-0, 6-0). In the championship, Swan beat Rocky Bayou Christian's Steven Savoie (6-1, 6-3) before topping Reece Early and Joseph Savoie in sec.ond doubles (6-3, 6-0).
Swan mustered an astounding 55.07% of the votes in the PNJ Athlete of the Week poll the following week. Each weekly winner is awarded a one-of-a-kind PNJ Athlete of the Week shirt provided by BSN SPORTS.
Here's a quick question-and-answer session with Swan after he spoke with PNJ sports reporter Ben Grieco during a recent training session at the Roger Scott Tennis Center.
Q and A with Pensacola Catholic boys tennis's Andrew Swan
PNJ: Overall, your junior season is wrapped up now. How did things go for you?
Andrew Swan: “It was good. I had my ups and downs. I had a good start with a little rough patch in the middle there. But, I found my way and had a really good match to end the season in the regional finals.”
PNJ: You mentioned that middle of the season, and I asked Ben Ling the question earlier in the year. You guys face some tough out-of-area opponents. Does that help your growth?
AS: “A lot, actually. Coach Watts tries to make it so that we don’t play teams in our region or district (before the postseason). It’s really good, because we get that competition and prepares us.”
PNJ: For you, where was your biggest area of growth this year?
AS: “I think my mentality. It was hard. I had a big losing streak, but going through all these hard matches really helped me out.”
PNJ: Did you have to do anything different to kind of flip your mentality, especially during that rough patch?
AS: “Definitely just took a couple breaths, and focused on making shots on the court. I just tried to outwork my opponent.”
PNJ: Looking back on this year, are there any areas of growth you might want to see going into your senior year?
AS: “Definitely leadership. I’ll be taking a big role next season at first singles. It’s some big shoes to fill, for sure.”
PNJ: Is there some excitement being able to jump up to that lead role?
AS: “For sure. It’ll be interesting. We’ll see how it plays out.”
PNJ: Any big plans for the offseason in terms of gearing up for next spring?
AS: “Just a lot of tournament play and get some matches in. I just have to keep hitting.”
PNJ: What was it like team-wise making it to the regional final this year?
AS: “It was good. We had good team chemistry this year.”
PNJ: What was special about the team’s chemistry?
AS: “We were all close and hung out after school. We hit on the court even without official practices.”
PNJ: This year, you went between second singles and second doubles. Is there a big play difference for you?
AS: “In second doubles, we relied on consistent wins. Max Frederick and I, we worked together really well. We had good chemistry there. In second singles, it was competitive. It wasn’t easy. It was a big step up from fourth singles last year.”
PNJ: Now a couple dream scenario questions. If you could play on any court in the world, where would you want to play?
AS: “Definitely Wimbledon. I visited there last summer. It was really nice.”
PNJ: Is there a dream singles opponent you’ve always wanted to go against?
AS: “Felix Auger Aliassime from Canada. It’s a very weird one. But I love watching him. His game is very similar to mine.”
PNJ: Anything in particular similar?
AS: “We both play an aggressive game, and there isn’t a fear of outhitting.”
PNJ: How about a dream doubles partner?
AS: “Probably just Rafael Nadal, honestly. He’s obviously really good.”
PNJ: Now some questions about teammates. Who’s your funniest teammate?
AS: “Definitely Holt Pair. That guy is funny. He can crack a joke at any time. Just a really good personality.”
PNJ: How about your hardest-working teammate?
AS: “John Falce at seventh singles. He put in a lot of good work this season.”
PNJ: How about your most-talented teammate?
AS: “Definitely Ben Ling. He’s got a lot of fight on the court.”
PNJ: Now non-tennis related questions, if you could have one meal for the rest of your life what would you want?
AS: “Probably some carbonara.”
PNJ: If you were able to travel anywhere, where would you go?
AS: “Probably Canada. I’ve always wanted to know what it’s like up north.”
PNJ: How about a superpower?
AS: “Teleportation.”
PNJ: If you had to be in the extreme heat or extreme cold, which would you prefer?
AS: “Definitely the cold. Even playing tennis, it gives me an upper-hand. I hate being really hot.”
Ben Grieco is a sports reporter for the Pensacola News Journal. He can be reached on X (@BenGriecoSports) and via email at BGrieco@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on Pensacola News Journal: Pensacola Catholic boys tennis junior Andrew Swan wins Athlete of the Week
