Big Ten champion looks forward
to bigger titles, professional
tour
By Greg Doddridge
Staff
Writer
Revenge was on his mind. Not against a person,
but against a title.
Senior tennis player Jason Marshall won the 1999
Big Ten Singles Championship but did not make it to the finals in 2000.
"I was disappointed last year that I could not
defend the title," said Marshall. This year he got his revenge in Ann
Arbor, Mich., by beating Minnesota's Harsh Mankad 6-1, 6-3 in the finals.
But now Marshall is looking forward to capturing
bigger and better titles.
"My goal is to end up top 10 in the nation and
win the NCAA championship," said Marshall.
He is ranked 29th in the nation and in the 1200s
worldwide. After he gets done with classes this December, he plans to
play full-time internationally on the American Tennis Professionals
tour.
"I'm very excited," Marshall said. "It's tough
to get started. I can't rush myself.
"I'll probably give it two years before I start
doing well."
Marshall wants to see himself as a top 200 singles
player in the world soon. He said he has some strong assets that should
help him on the tour, such as his return serve, forehand and mental
toughness. However, Marshall wants to improve his serve, volley and
strength.
On the professional tour, Marshall said, "It's
a different game. There is more room for improvement and consistency."
Yet he said his mental toughness is what allows
him to not be intimidated very easily. If he were to face Mankad again,
he said he thinks he could win again.
"I have no doubts there isn't a player I can't
beat in the world."
This confidence also pertains to professional tour
players.
"I have the confidence to beat (Andre) Agassi on
the court," Marshall said. "The mere possibility is there. You just
have to believe."
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