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A look inside Episode 1 of Game Plan

In the latest episode of Game Plan, I had the pleasure of sitting down with Philip, a senior at UNC Chapel Hill majoring in biostatistics and mathematics. Philip is not only deeply committed to his academic path—he’s on track to pursue a PhD in statistics in Seattle—but also carries a lifelong passion for tennis, a sport that has quietly shaped much of his personal and academic journey.

Philip’s relationship with tennis began in elementary school, thanks to a local promotional program and his parents’ encouragement. By fifth grade, he was training nearly full-time and competing in provincial tournaments in China. Despite his early promise, his parents made the conscious decision to keep tennis a hobby, recognizing the emotional and physical demands of the sport at a professional level. This choice would later prove to offer Philip both balance and perspective—tennis remained part of his life, but never at the expense of his wellbeing or academics.

In middle and high school, like many students facing rising academic pressure, his training frequency dropped. But the love for the sport remained. When he arrived at UNC, joining the club tennis team gave him more than just a chance to return to the court. It became a way to make friends, improve his English, and connect with a supportive student community. What started as a hobby in childhood had now grown into something that helped him thrive socially and emotionally in college.

Philip currently serves as the treasurer of the club tennis team. In the episode, he shared what it’s like managing the team’s finances—covering everything from gas reimbursements for tournaments to budgeting social events—and his efforts to secure support from student government. It was clear from our conversation that Philip approaches leadership with the same logic and care he applies to research: observe, organize, and make things work better for the team.

We also talked about the financial side of tennis, a topic often overlooked in casual conversations about sports. Philip reflected on the high costs of training in China—private coaches, court fees—and how that compares to the U.S., where access to free public courts is much easier. For students just beginning the sport, he advised patience and mastering the fundamentals before diving into competition.

Interestingly, Philip also enjoys playing soccer and shared some great insight comparing the two sports. While tennis challenges him individually, soccer brings a sense of teamwork and spontaneous joy. His thoughtful comparison reminded me that the best sport for someone isn’t necessarily the most prestigious or popular—it’s the one that fits their rhythm, personality, and lifestyle.

Beyond the court, Philip’s academic life is just as rigorous. He walked me through his transition from general math to a passion for biostatistics, and how the problem-solving mindset he developed through sports has helped him face academic challenges with greater resilience. For him, tennis isn’t just a game—it’s a training ground for life.

As we wrapped up the episode, Philip spoke warmly about the UNC sports culture, his excitement about attending matches (especially against Duke!), and what he looks forward to at the University of Washington. His journey is a reminder that in college, sports aren’t just about wins and losses—they’re about friendship, community, and finding joy in movement.

This episode of Game Plan is about more than tennis—it’s about how sports can help shape who we are, even if we don’t go pro. It’s about the game plans we make, adjust, and live out every day.

🎧 You can listen to the full episode: https://youtu.be/IHkawTngJzk
📸 Cover art by me | Edited with love & Adobe Audition
💬 Know someone with a story like Philip’s? Message me—I’d love to feature them.