Review a Chat With Women's Tennis Player Megan Miller

Chat with Megan Miller
Friday, April 28 at 1 pm
Hosted By Total Sports & GoDuke.com

Kristina Ridge asks Megan, congrats on winning ACC's. I am looking at Duke along with several other schools, how has Duke made you better?
I really feel like I've grown up a lot here. I think college in general gives you an opportunity to take responsibility for your own actions in your own life. And I think that Duke has really challenged me as a person, both academically and athletically.
Diane Bogue asks My husband and I got to see your ACC finals match. It was inspiring. The momentum swung back and forth during that match. How do you stay focused? Also, I noticed you take the ball two handed on both sides. Do you change your grip from side to side?
Q1- I really just mainly break it down and focus point-by-point what I need to do. I don't allow myself to become distracted with my teammates performances, because it's very easy to lose your focus especially if their results aren't as successful as they could be. It's about not looking around too much, but at the job that you have on your court. Q2 - yes I do, funny enough I'm right-handed but I set up for a lefty forehand and a lefty backhand and I switch my grip back and forth for both of my sides. Essentially, I have two backhands, a righty backhand and a lefty backhand.
Bill Reynolds asks Megan, how has being on a team benefitted you, does it make competing more fun?
I certainly enjoy being on a team because it's a completely different perspective because we're all out there for each other even though we're individually having to win. I really love being on a team, especially this year's team because we're all just really close.
chris from raleigh asks what values have you learned from your coach that help you on the court and in the classroom?
He's very big into the successory quotes and this year our team has been utilizing the quote "whatever it takes". That means to me that it's about sacrifice, being willing to get up at 7 am and go running or being willing to bypass a party because you have a test coming up. It's really a lot about focusing, he's taught me a lot about focusing on my priorities.
Robin Wright asks If you could have dinner with any pro tennis player, male or female, who would you pick and what would you talk about?
I'd probably pick Steffi Graf. I'd talk about her experiences and her life and hopefully I'd get an opportunity to meet Andre... maybe he'd come along too. I'd be interested to know what her thought processes were growing up, how she got to where she is, and learning about the mystery behind her.
Joseph Maxwell asks What is your toughest match ever and did you win or lose?
A lot of matches have been tough over the years and it'd be difficult for me to pinpoint one in particular.
Jilly Jackson asks What three pro players do you like best and why? thanks, J-Girl
Monica Seles for her courage and strength and her mental strength on the court, and the next person I admired growing up is Chris Evert because she was always very classy even when she was out to beat the players she was playing. And I think that's it.
Will Dennis asks Have You Ever Played Any Of The Women's Professional Top 10 ? And If So The Result?
Patty Schnyder was one of my best results and also Corina Moreareiu and I'm definitely proud of my wins over those people.
rob roush asks what stands out the most about playing tennis at duke?
One of the things that stands out about playing at Duke has been the difference in mentality of playing on a team and how that's really helped me to have an overall better perspective on tennis because I'm not just out there by myself anymore. When I look down the courts I see all of my teammates fighting and that spurs me on. It's about team unity and that's different than when I play for myself.
Rudy Bean asks I was wondering what your aspirations are for turning pro? Thanks, rudy from alaska
I definitely plan on taking some time to play professionally and then consider what I want to do after I play.
Brian Thompson asks Megan, First of all let me just say that I am one of your biggest fans, even though I'm a Tar Heel (I know, kinda wierd huh:). You have a smashing overhand. But what I really wanted to know was, what are your plans for tennis after college? Do you think of trying to make the circuit, or perhaps coach? Thanks! B
Q1 - I plan to take some time, at least a year or two to play the tour because so much of my life has been tennis and I think it's important, that I owe it to myself to find out what I can do on the tour. Q2 - Coaching is definitely a remote possibility because I love tennis so much.
Kelly Kluttz asks What made you decide to go to Duke?
After looking at a number of different schools, I chose Duke because of the wonderful balance of academics and athletics. And it was also very important for me to come to a school where winning a national title means something and it wasn't just another trophy among many. It's really important for me to make history at my school and I think at Duke I have that opportunity.
Mark from Charlotte asks Hey Megan... I hope all is going well. Are you single?? Mark the Duke Tennis Fan
I have somebody special in my life, thanks.
McKenzie Carson asks Hi Megan, Congradulations on your high ranking in the nationals. I know it took a lot of hard work. I am soon to be twelve & have been playing 6 days a week, clinic, private lessons (two days a week,) and tournaments for two years and was wondering when you started playing, and looking back what would you recommend is the BEST training to improve my game? I am in Memphis but I love Duke and would like to win a tennis scholarship, any suggestions.
Q1 - I started competing in tournaments at the age of six. Q2 - For me, a lot of match play. Keep going to as many tournaments as possible. When I put into play all the things I had been practicing, they became second nature. My family and I were really able to see the difference because I started thinking for myself on the court. Tournament and match play is really important when you're developing your game. At the same time, it's also important to understand that when you're competing, that you shouldn't emphasize too much results because as you get older your game will be so m uch better if you had the freedom to just improve on what you've been practicing. Q3-Continue to compete in tournaments and when you get to high school contact the schools and coaches that you're interested in attending and start a correspondence between them. That way they're able to keep up with how you're doing when you're ready to come to school.
david hawley asks what is your most memorable game ever?
Primarily my experience at Wimbledon. My 6-0, 6-0 win over Patty Schnyder who has since become a women's top-ten player stands out in my mind.
Karl Sheffield asks Are you seeing the ball better with your new eyes? Congratulations for a very courageous win in the ACC finals. Chairman, Megan Miller Fan Club of Atlanta
I certainly am, I think it's awesome and I certainly think everyone should have lasic surgery if they can. Also, thank you for all of your support. I really appreciate it!
john lamont asks i play tennis and am trying to get a national ranking. what kind of conditioning stuff does your team do in terms of weights and sprints?
Yesterday, we went to the track and we did several sets of sprints and we'd run as fast as we can around the track, with stopping and starting. For me, personally I think tennis a lot more about quick movement and reacting so if you could do a lot more on-court cone drills and agility drills really help to improve your quickness on the court. Running sprints is good for endurance, but based on my experience with my teammates this year, we've really benefited from the footwork drills on the court. There are several that you can do. Running out to hit forehands and backhands, there's so many that I couldn't begin to list them all. There are books out there that have specific training drills.
Pierre Bouchet asks HI meg!! i'm a huge fan and follower of you. I have two questions to ask. First, how do you get in shape for the season. And second, with all your recent success, are you pleased with the rest of the squad or do you feel you need to urge them to rise to your level of play.
Q1 - Our team does a combination of off-court training and on-court fitness drills. footwork drills and basically eating really balanced meals. Q2 - I think my teammates have done an excellent job. This year's team is in many ways a much closer team. We really play for each other, which is different than playing for ourselves. I believe in my teammates a lot. I think we have a lot to look forward to the rest of the season.
Hylton Kalvaria asks Would you rather have beaten Wake during the regular season and lost at the ACC tournament, or lost to them during the season and beat them at the tournament as you did? Good luck at NCAAs, I'll see you there.
I'm so glad we beat them in ACC's because in the past going to ACC's and winning was expected of us, whereas this year the win was so much more satisfying. Beating Wake was the icing on the cake.
jose lieberman asks like johan...i also think you are cute...and have a crush on you...what is your favorite type of food before a big match?
I definitely like to have pasta and salad, a lot of carbohydrates to give me energy on the court. Lots of water, too.
johan lindqvist asks do you have a boyfriend? because i think you are cute.
At the moment, there is a certain special person in my life and he knows who he is. Thanks.
michael lang asks how is school going?
School's going great. I hope you're doing well at school, too. You should e-mail me sometime. Have you been back to the Academy in a while?
Alex Dee asks Megan, Has there been a person in your life who has really influenced and inspired you? Good luck in the tournament. Alex
Several people I could say inspire me. At this point in my life, I look to my family as a source of inspiration because of all the sacrifices they have made to help me. As far as players on the tour, I look toward Monica Seles as a person I'd like to follow. Not so much in her successes, but as a person with real strength of character.
Austin McDowel asks Hi Megan, I know you took a year off before college to play professional tennis. What was your most memorable event? And do you plan on going back on the tour after graduation? Good luck at the NCAA tournament.
My most memorable event was certainly playing at Wimbledon and I definitely plan on taking some time to play after I graduate. Thanks everyone for submitting questions today. Go Duke!

Review a Chat With Women's Tennis Player Megan Miller

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