Serving It Up with Tad Maclean

Serving It Up with Tad MacleanServing It Up with Tad Maclean

Why Auburn?

"First of all, Bobby Reynolds. Also, the facilities here and to play in the SEC. I didn't really know a lot about the SEC before I came here but now that I'm here, it's just crazy to be able to do it."

Favorite part of campus life…

"I like going to baseball in the summer. I'll go with Tim (Dollman) to watch baseball and I didn't know anything about it before. We just like learning and sitting over there watching them play."

Most unusual place you've heard War Eagle:

"I heard it when I was on the way back to Auburn in London. I heard one in my hometown of 20,000 in the U.K. I've also heard it on the plane on the way back from London a few times as well."

What's your major?

"Right now, I'm in marketing."

Most interesting class so far?

"Probably financial accounting or microeconomics."

On balancing school and tennis?

"It was hard when I got here. Transitioning from England to over here was difficult. There are high expectations here. I realized though that if you work hard in the classes, it will reflect on your grades. I redshirted this year after surgery, so I've had loads of free time to be able to focus on school. I say free time, but it takes double time to study, and then I have to rehab as well. "

What advice would you give to a young athlete looking to play in college?

"I would say to never rule anything out. There are lots of guys in England that choose to play professionally right out of school. People don't really understand the level of competition in college tennis until you play here in one of the best conferences across America in the SEC.

What's your hometown and what's it known for?

"I was born in Birmingham, England in the midlands. Then I moved to Newquay in Cornwall down at the bottom. It's known for its Cornish pasties. It has some crust around it and the crust is really good. The miners used to take them down and because of the soot on their hands, they would just throw away the crust. Scones, fish and chips are also well known. But I'd say Cornish pasties for sure. They're really good."

Any other family members who play sports:

"My brother played rugby; he was pretty good. My mom played field hockey.

Age when you started tennis:

"I started having coaching when I moved to Newquay when I was seven years old. But I was playing in the parks before that. I had the same coach for seven years then I moved to a different place in England before coming here."

Your best tennis skill:

"I'd like to say my serve. I'm left-handed; a lot fewer people are left-handed and it can be tougher to play against."

Favorite tennis player:

"I love Andy Murray -- not so much technique or anything but just his will to win and his personality on the court. He's not the perfect role model but you can relate to him. Also, I love Roger Federer -- there's no one better than him."

Sport you would play if not tennis?

"Soccer. I used to play goalkeeper until I was like 14 or 15. I was really thinking about continuing to do that but ultimately I chose to play tennis."

Eventual career goal after tennis:

"I want to leave here and play tennis on the tour. It's something I've always said I want to do. I want to play after college. After that, I don't really know. That's what I'm working out major-wise."