Tennis player finds success in America

Photo courtesy of Purdue Athletic Department Boiler Andrew Wakefield, a native of Nottingham, England, returns an opponent's shot during a recent match.

By Brian Peloza
Staff Writer

Lately, Purdue tennis opponents have been under a British Invasion. That invasion goes by the name of Andrew Wakefield.

Coming to Purdue was definitely a new experience for the 6-foot-4 freshman that hails from Nottingham, England.

"It was a huge culture shock; I did not know what to expect," Wakefield said. "It took me a while to get used to it, but I feel that I fit in quite well."

Wakefield has fit into Purdue's singles lineup well this spring. He has won seven consecutive singles matches and holds a 7-2 record. Wakefield has played at the Nos. 2, 4, 5 and 6 positions in the lineup this spring. The latest victim of Wakefield's aggressive baseline play was Patrik Molin of Northern Illinois. Playing at No. 2 singles, Wakefield won by a score of 6-1, 7-5 in the Boilers' 8-0 victory Friday.

What is more impressive about his recent success is that Wakefield dropped his first two matches of the season. He attributes his struggles during the first weekend to his inexperience.

"I did not know what to expect in my situation and I was pretty nervous," said Wakefield. "Because of it, I did not play good tennis."

Coach Tim Madden said there's two main reasons for Wakefield's turnaround. One is the improvement in the technical aspects of his game.

"Andrew has put so many pieces together in his game; he has been able to eliminate any weakness in his game in terms of technical weakness," Madden said.

Madden also said he is pleased with Wakefield's improvement in keeping his intensity level high.

"The thing he has gotten so much better at is showing a consistent energy level," Madden said. "When he doesn't need that energy, he gets by with the win without that energy. He has come a long way in bringing his energy level up consistently."

Wakefield chose to come to Purdue because of Madden and the balance between academics and athletics.

"(Madden) is the hardest-working coach I have been around," Wakefield said.

Besides Madden, Wakefield is also a big fan of British tennis player Tim Henman. Although when Henman loses, Wakefield sometimes gets teased about it from his teammates.

"When he loses to Americans, I don't hear the end of it," Wakefield said.

Wakefield's teammates also like to joke with him during matches. Sometimes they even go as far as to yell, "Do it for your queen, Andrew." But Wakefield understands that the jokes are all in good fun.

"(My teammate's) are very cool," said Wakefield. "I take some flack for my accent and for the dress style but, for the most part, they're cool."

Although his American teammates might like to joke with him, Wakefield would like to see more of the country. Wakefield said he would really like to visit California.

"I've seen it a lot on television," he said. "I have heard it is the place in America to go, with Hollywood and everything."

Wakefield will be able to experience California during spring break when the team will travel to play the University of Southern California and Pepperdine.

Besides getting to California, Wakefield also hopes to be able to skydive someday.

"My dad is a pilot, he used to do it a little bit — just seemed like something that would be quite a good rush," Wakefield said.

The personal goals of Wakefield are also related to the team's.

"I hope to become nationally ranked," Wakefield said. "To become an established player in the Big Ten would be good for me and it would definitely help the team out."

Madden said Wakefield's play is also helping his teammates' confidence.

"If we can get him confident in the top half, it gives other guys more confidence in the bottom half, and that is what is happening right now," Madden said.

Tennis player finds success in America

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