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Thursday, May 1, 2008
One-on-One with Haley Martin
Eastern Oklahoma, OK
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She’s a freshman in high school, but her classroom has no walls. She has no homeroom but her home is where the next match is. She travels and studies and works out and hits and plays and repeats the process week after week. That’s why she’s a tennis phenom at 15.
Haley Martin of Tulsa made more than a New Year’s Resolution this January. She made a change of address. Haley received a $35,000 scholarship to study and train at the Newcomb Academy in New Braunfels, Texas run by former Wimbledon champion John Newcomb. Haley spends her time there lifting weights, running, training, hitting and playing matches 3-4 times a week.
As a 14-year old, Haley was ranked ninth in the nation. Her life had started to change from that of a traditional teen to one whose playing schedule and training regimen made that lifestyle complicated. Haley finished seventh grade at Edison Preparatory School and entered an online school from California called Laurel Springs. She is connected to teachers, classmates and school activities through distance learning and online programs. This gives her the flexibility she needs as she progresses through the ranks of outstanding young tennis players.
Her father, Andy Martin, relayed a recent experience. “We just got back from eight days in Palm Springs where Haley was playing at the Super National Tournament. We travel around the country to play in tournaments throughout the year. There’s just no way she could do that and go to a traditional school.” In fact, most competitors at Haley’s level participate in similar programs.
Haley found her love for tennis naturally. Her father is a certified tennis pro, and her mother, Jennifer, played at Oklahoma City University. She started playing early as something to do with mom and dad, but at age 6 she entered her first tournament. By age eight, she was winning the tournaments. In fact she was winning them in the 12-year old division.
So what does the future hold? Practice, traveling, playing in tournaments and matches, school and more practice. When she has free time, she likes to play her violin or hang out in Florida. As she pursues her dream of a college scholarship and the pro circuit, she has many more matches to play. Her father says, “She has talent and also the work ethic to make things happen. She just has to win from here. Every match she wins accumulates points and the more points she earns, the more opportunities she’ll have to play in the major tournaments.” That’s how the Williams’ sisters did it and that’s the path that Haley is on now.
So keep your eyes peeled for the rise of a tennis star from our area. The hard work with five hours a day of practicing is paying off as Haley’s abilities are being honed. Who knows? The future pay off may come at a center court presentation of a large trophy for Tulsa’s very own Haley Martin.
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