At eight years old, senior Josh Ma began his tennis journey at Mae Boyar Park. Now eighteen, he reflects on his best times with the Oak Park High School boys tennis team.
“My favorite memory was when we beat Portola High School, which was the number one team in Division 1 last year,” Ma said.
When asked about his favorite part about being on the team is, Ma’s answer is simple: camaraderie.
“I’m friends with most of the people on the team,” Ma said. “It’s a good bonding experience.”
Ma and his senior friends recently attended the Indian Wells Open, where they had the chance to watch professional matches up close and experience the thrilling atmosphere.
“Going to Indian Wells was really fun because I was with my friends,” Ma said. “I got to see a lot of top 20 players, too.”
Through his years playing tennis, Ma has grown adaptable to challenging situations.
“Tennis has forced me out of my comfort zone,” Ma said. “It has taught me to deal with pressure better, especially during high-pressure matches.”
Ma’s ability to stay composed hasn’t gone unnoticed by those around him. Teammate and senior Angus Rein can attest to it.
“Off the court, he’s endlessly amusing, but on the court, he’s silent and deadly,” Rein said. “I’ve seen him take down some really good players again and again, and then act humble about it.”
For Ma, handling pressure comes down to perspective.
“Don’t worry about things that you can’t control,” Ma said. “Before every match, I get really nervous about what’s going to happen, [but] I can’t really control that.”
Outside of tennis, Ma enjoys spending time in nature, especially hiking.
”I enjoy hiking because it’s nice to have conversations while seeing great views,” Ma said.
Above all, Ma values the relationships in his life, crediting his friends and family as his support system.
“I value my friends and family the most in my life because they are the people who help me grow,” Ma said. “I’ve learned a lot from them.”
While Ma doesn’t plan on competing in tennis at a collegiate level, he may have the chance to. He expresses his thoughts as he nears the end of his high school career.
“I’m nervous as I approach college because I don’t know what to expect,” Ma said. “I hope that I can settle in easily, though, no matter what it is.”
This article is part of a larger collection of stories covering the boys tennis seniors. Check out the other seniors in the sports section on our website.
