Breck Tennis Ace Myles Tang Strives For Balance
MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) – Spring has not been kind so far to tennis teams, at least in Minnesota. Breck's Myles Tang is a defending state champion who practices, largely, indoors.
"In a lot of other states like Texas and California, those guys are getting nice weather year-round, and they can play outside year-round," Tang said. "Indoor tennis is a lot different than outdoor tennis."
Tang is a champion, and he does not take what comes with being a champ lightly.
"It means a lot to me, and I know that not a lot of people can say that they are state champs," he said. "And I think it comes with a great deal of responsibility. A lot of kids look up to you."
According to Breck's tennis coach Chi Pham, Tang's game is built on his feet, which he uses to wear out opponents.
"His game is built around speed. He's one of the fastest kids I've ever coached," Pham said. "It's tough to get a ball past him, and when that's the case it just puts a ton of pressure on the other guys."
But about the time you think its complete commitment to tennis, he throws a curve ball. Tang passed on division one offers and will attend division three Amherst College next fall.
The reason is very simple: balance.
"I played a lot of tennis over in the summer, my past summer, and I got kind of burnt out a little bit," he said. "And I just kind of decided that I really didn't want to play D-1 tennis. I wanted to really have time for my academics and have time for a social life."
But winning is important for Tang, and leading his team is important, and state titles this spring for both are very important.
"He's been still working hard," Pham said. "If everything goes according to plan, I think the team and Myles will be going for the three-peat this year."
