Teams: Men's Tennis: Press Releases

Tuesday, April 14, 2009

MEET TUFTS MEN'S TENNIS #1 STARTER AND BAHAMAS NATIVE JAKE FOUNTAIN

MEDFORD -- It has taken a while, but after one of the New England region's coldest and snowiest winters, signs of spring have emerged on the Tufts University campus. One in particular, across the street from Gifford House and next to the world-renowned Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy, the Jumbo tennis teams are practicing and playing outdoors again on Voute Courts.

Sophomore Jake Fountain (Nassau, Bahamas/St. Andrew's School) of the men's tennis team is one of many students from warmer climates who came to Tufts unfamiliar with how cold and snowy it can actually get during winter in Greater Boston. A native of the Bahamas, Fountain left paradise to come to Tufts in 2007. The draw of the Engineering School and the opportunity to play competitive collegiate tennis overwhelmed any apprehension he may have had about long winters.

Today, Fountain is a leader of Coach Doug Eng's tennis team, playing #1 singles and as part of the #1 doubles pair. He is part of a group of young players who have brought Tufts back into the men's tennis national rankings. Last year they won more matches than any Tufts team since 2002. This season they have already matched that total with eight victories. For the 2008-09 season, Fountain's record is 16-12 overall in singles play. He and freshman teammate Kai Victoria (Miami, FL/Ransom Everglades) - another Jumbo who is a stranger to wicked winters - recently earned a big win over the #1 doubles pair from Williams College, which is the fifth-ranked team in the nation.

Studying chemical engineering, Fountain is one of many Tufts athletes succeeding in competition and in class. He took a few minutes out of his busy schedule recently to serve as the Tufts Athletics website's latest In Focus feature:

Due to the depth on the team, you're one of the few guys who plays both singles and doubles during matches. How big of a difference are the two styles? Which do you prefer and why?

JF - Our team is very deep, and I'm very privileged to have the opportunity to play both singles and doubles. Doubles is a fast-paced, aggressive game. When you're playing, you have be confident in not only yourself, but also in your partner. There are two people on the court and it's up to both of you to pull out the win. In singles, the points are longer and you can get away with a passive, defensive game, but the pressure is then solely on you to play your best and win. I love playing doubles because it's exciting, aggressive and combines almost all the aspects of tennis in one big mix of fun. That said though, I am a much better singles player than doubles and I perform much better one on one with an opponent. I guess I prefer to play doubles, but enjoy testing myself in singles.

Your hometown (Nassau, Bahamas) is paradise to those of us who live permanently in the Boston area. Tell us something about the Bahamas that would surprise us.

JF - We don't ride dolphins to school. You'd be surprised how many people believe that we ride dolphins to school or that we live in grass huts or that we are a member of the United States.

What attracted you to Tufts out of St. Andrew's School in the Bahamas?

JF - I guess the biggest thing about Tufts that appealed to me was the fact that I could do everything that I wanted without fear that one aspect would totally consume another. I wanted to play competitive tennis while pursuing a formidable degree and still be able to participate in other collegiate activities. The other universities that I was looking at didn't have the right balance.

Now that you've been here almost two years, what are some of your favorite things about Tufts besides playing tennis?

JF - Wilderness! I did it as a freshman, then again as a sophomore and will be doing it as a junior. I really enjoy the fact that getting outside and doing anything is promoted and accessible here. Besides wilderness, I love the students and the faculty. I have met a lot of exceptional people and they have definitely made my time at Tufts worth it.

How did your interest in chemical engineering develop and do you have any long-range plans/goals in that regard?

JF - I have always enjoyed the sciences, especially Chemistry, so for me it was a logical choice to go into Chemical Engineering. In regards to long term goals, graduating. First I need finish with school, maybe even graduate school, and then I can think about what I want to do with my life. I have a strong passion for the environment and its protection so possibly something along those lines. We will see!

Fountain and the rest of the Jumbo men's tennis team have three matches remaining in the regular season, including two in conference play. Ranked #30 in the March 31 Intercollegiate Tennis Association poll, the Jumbos have an 8-5 record overall and are 2-4 in league play. They hope to finish strong in order to earn one of the six berths into the New England Small College Athletic Conference (NESCAC) Tournament, which will be held May 1-3 at Williams College.

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