Q&A with Ryan Preston and Vijay Paul

Vanderbilt's top two tennis players--Ryan Preston and Vijay Paul--played a little Q&A with The Sports VU and reflected on the season so far, their favorite courses, and debunked the myth that it's not a storage facility adjacent to the Student Recreational Center.

Sports VU: What's something that the average Vanderbilt student doesn't know about the tennis team?
Vijay Paul: Ah this is tough, I don't think many people realize we have indoor tennis courts--they think it's a storage building.
Ryan Preston: That big warehouse building across from the parking garage houses indoor tennis courts. I run into a lot of people who think it's a storage facility.

SV: Funniest member of the team?
VP: Scott Lieberman and Andy Pulido battle for our hearts.
RP: Scott Lieberman

SV: How hard can you guys serve?
VP: Me, only about 100 mph, the bigger the guy the harder.
RP: 120-125mph

SV: Biggest win in your career?
VP: First round of main draw at this Pro tournament in India in May 06.
RP: Biggest win was over Tennessee a couple years ago. We went to Knoxville with only five guys(you need 6) and still beat them. Everybody played great and nothing makes me happier than to beat UT.

SV: Have you guys matched your expectations thus far in the season?
VP: No, there have been flashes of what we are capable of, but we haven't all been on the same page at one time yet--it will come.
RP: We started out well and then hit a couple bumps in the last few SEC matches. But we had a good win against Alabama last weekend, so we're hoping to feed off that as we move into the toughest part of our season.

SV: Favorite Class at Vanderbilt?
VP: Hist 213 - Medieval Europe
RP: I like science and really enjoyed Astronomy taught by professor Weintraub.

SV: What are you listening to on your iPods right now?
VP: Mostly Rap: Wu-Tang Clan, Del tha Funkee Homosapien, Edan, John Coltrane.
RP: Always listening to all genres.

SV: Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
VP: To be honest, I don't plan too much ahead. Hopefully happily playing tennis somewhere in Europe.
RP: A better question is where do I see myself in a couple months? I'm still working on it.

SV: Favorite surface?
VP: Red Clay.
RP: Fast indoor courts because it makes it a lot easier to serve well.

SV: If you could hit with one pro in the world, who would it be against?
VP: Gael Monfils (French guy).
RP: I'd like to see what it's like to hit against Nadal.

SV: Favorite school to play against?
VP: LSU
RP: SEC wins are the best, but being from up north, I also love playing Big Ten teams and reminding them why the SEC is the best and deepest conference in the land.