Senior Eileen Wang of Penn women's tennis has had an impressive run these past three years and is looking to finish strong.
Her journey over these past four years has seen her not only make an NCAA tournament doubles appearance, but also have strong records in both singles and doubles each year — most recently going 14-9 last spring. At the end of the 2023-24 season, she was ranked #62 by the Intercollegiate Tennis Association with partner sophomore Esha Velaga.
Her record also reveals something unique to collegiate tennis: it’s an individual and team sport.
Of course, some sports are played individually and then players’ scores are tallied together — like gymnastics and wrestling. But in tennis, players like Wang are playing in the singles and doubles brackets in the same tournament. The teammates play on their own and in pairs.
“You're not just out there alone and competing for whatever your goals are. You're also … competing for something greater than yourself, so that’s been really rewarding to know that they’re going to fight tooth and nail to win as a team and to have my back,” Wang commented when describing the dynamic.
Not only are her teammates cheering her on as she plays, but they also play together during doubles. The sport can vary drastically between singles and doubles, forcing the players to adapt as well — something Wang does quite well.
Her dynamic and quick playing is particularly helpful for doubles, where the ball comes back over the net much faster than in singles. Her reflexes at the net and strong cross-court shots make her a strong partner for anyone else on the team.
“Without exception, she elevates her partner, she gives them the opportunity to flourish,” head coach Sanela Kunovac added.
Her ability to pair up with anyone and raise the standard of the game is part of the reason why she’s had such success in doubles. Kunovac also explained that, while many players come into college without a strong background in doubles, Wang came in already having the habits and fundamentals necessary to excel.
“Since you're playing with a partner, you're constantly shifting positions and coordinating with your partner,” Kunovac said. “You have to be really skilled from any position in the court and be able to finish points in a lot of different formations.”
In comparison to the aggressive, quick play of doubles, singles are played as best of three sets — making the game subtly different. The longer match allows players to let their individuality come through, but it also requires a more long-term mindset. Wang’s offensive style works well in this way, according to assistant coach Pino He.
“She is no longer just reacting right now, she is dominating,” he said. “That kind of boldness is what separates a good player from a great player.”
“You definitely have more control, since there's a longer time horizon … but you also need to have the discipline and the stamina to tough it out for maybe three or more hours,” Wang said.
Learning these differences and being able to shift her mindset from one to the other has been what has strengthened her performance over the years.
Off the court, learning how to prioritize the aspects of being an athlete unrelated to tennis has been crucial for Wang’s growth.
Focusing on nutrition and recovery alongside her game has allowed her to stay healthy over such long seasons. Wang used a nutrition class she took as an example of the overlap between the separate student and athlete aspects of her life. For her, that class helped guide her on how to fuel right both before and after matches.
In addition, being enrolled in the Wharton School has allowed Wang numerous collaborative experiences that provide a chance to work with others and develop leadership skills. Wang has gone through four years of the Penn Athletics Wharton Leadership Academy, which combines athletics with the McNulty Leadership Program.
“[I've] learned a lot about what it takes to be a leader and not just, like, an individual contributor to a team,” Wang said in reference to the PAWLA.
Because she doesn’t have plans to play professionally, this semester is likely rounding out her competitive tennis career.
“I think I would tell myself to, like, enjoy the process a little bit more,” Wang said about what she'd tell her younger self. “I think it's really important to have high standards, but I think it's also important to enjoy the present moment.”
However, Wang is “very excited for the future,” including exploring new hobbies and interests.
Before she can turn her attention to pottery (which she does plan on doing), she is staying focused on finishing this semester strong with the Ivy League Championships already in mind.
Winning the Ivy League Championships has been within reach for Wang and the team multiple times — falling painfully short on numerous occasions. Wang and the other seniors hope to walk away in spring with not just a diploma, but also a well-deserved ring.
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