Every month the staff at FHT would like to introduce you to a special person and player in the tennis community. This month let me introduce you to Jordan Clifford. (J Cliff) as most of his classmates call him. Jordan has been impressing us with his tennis growth, and entertaining us with his witty and fun loving personality for the last seven years. Check out his interview below!
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Name: Jordan Clifford
Do you have a nickname at home or school? J. Cliff
Where do you play tennis? Lake Murray Tennis Club
Age? 13
What interests do you have outside of tennis? Surfing and woodworking
What type of racket do you use? Wilson Clash
How long have you been playing tennis?
7 years
What is your favorite shot? Forehand
Who is your favorite professional tennis player and why? Rafael Nadal. I like him because I have been following him the longest.
What college do you want to play tennis for? I would like to play for UCLA because they have a good medical program, and it’s close to home.
What do you like to eat after a big match? Sirloin steak
What is your greatest strength in tennis? I am smart on where I put the ball on the court.
If you could go anywhere in the world, where would you go? Hawaii
Do you get nervous before a match? A little
What kind of music do you listen to on your way to tennis practice? Rap
What is is your favorite place to eat in San Diego? Island Prime
If you could live on one food, what would it be? Einstein’s Bagels
What is one of your favorite movies? Top Gun
Do you have a nickname at home ar at school: Usually my friends and family call me Indy.
Where do you play tennis: Lake Murray Tennis Club
Name-India Suterra
Age: 10
What interest do you have besides tennis: Besides tennis, I LOVE running and basically anything that includes being outside. I love to do party planning too. I have my own business called India’s Party Planning Business. I am really into acting and plays as well! I do choir and I love it! I am also into school projects that include plenty of research.
What type of racket do you use: Head Speed Lite
What player or team is your biggest rival: On my team, it is Aiden Toma, but in JTT (Junior Team Tennis), it is La Jolla Beach and Tennis Club. We haven’t beaten them yet but we are working hard to.
How long have you been playing: I general I have been playing since I was 3 and a half but I have been taking lessons from Nate, Steve, and Elden since I was 6.
What is your favorite shot: I like my inside out forehead but, I really LOVE to volley. I probably come to the net in every point.
Who is your favorite professional tennis player and why: One the women’s side, I love Angelique Kerber because she has great forehands and plays very smoothly. On the men’s side, I love Novak Djokovic because is very consistent and is great at singles and doubles.
What college do you want to play tennis for: Right now, I am really set on going to Stanford University. It is ranked #1 for girls tennis in the country!
What do you like to eat after a big match: I usually have pasta, or a grilled cheese. But after a good match whether I win or lose, my dad or mom usually takes me to frozen yogurt as a treat.
What is your biggest strength in tennis: As I said above, I LOVE my volleys so I would say that it would be my volleys. Especially my backhand volley.
If you could go anywhere in the world where would it be: If I could go anywhere, it would definitely be England or France during Wimbledon or the French Open. I love to autographs from players. I usually get them at Indian Wells tennis Garden so I would love to go to a big tournament!
Do you get nervous before a match: It really depends on who I am playing. But if I am, I just push it out of my head and think of something positive.
What kind of music do you listen to on your way to tennis practices/ matches: I usually listen to something upbeat to lift my spirits. One of my favorite songs if High Hopes by Panic At The Disco!
What is your favorite place to eat in San Diego: My favorite place to eat is either The Joint sushi place or the PB Poke House.
If you could live on one food, what would it be: If I could live on one food like I said, most likely pasta or carbs.
What is one of your favorite movies: Strokes Of Genius featuring Roger Federer and Rafa Nadal. I love how it replays the whole Wimbledon 2008 match.
Lastly, thank you to all my awesome teammates and coaches who make tennis really fun!