Interview with SHS Tennis Player Sai Dore

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Welcome back to the Spring Edition of Off the Reels! For the final interview piece of the spring athletes, I chose to feature someone who has competed at State every high school season he has played. 


Meet Springboro High School Tennis Player Sai Dore… 


Tennis story:

Inspired by his cousins and grandfather, Sai first picked up a racket when he was four years old, but he quickly lost interest and considered tennis “boring.” He experimented with piano, soccer, swimming, and other activities to try to find something he enjoyed more. Three years later, he gave tennis another shot, and the countless practices, matches, and tournaments since have made him the great player he is today. This season, the Panthers went 10-1 overall and won the GWOC title led by Sai, who went undefeated in GWOC. He won all his matches at Sectionals and took first place. He won two matches at Districts and competed at State for his second time in two seasons. In a match spanning nearly three hours, Sai fell in the first round, losing 6-3, 4-6, 3-6. You better believe that Sai is working hard with plans to lift that championship trophy at the end of his senior season! 


Sai’s signature shot:

Sai considers his backhand down the line to be a comfortable shot that comes naturally to him and is useful for ending a point quickly.


Sai on playing DI tennis in college:

At the beginning of Sai’s junior year, he committed to play tennis at the University of Dayton. When I asked him what it meant to be able to play in college, he beamed, saying, “it’s just awesome to continue to play tennis at college, and to see what I’ll be able to accomplish.”


Competing at State as a freshman:

Sai was third place in the OHSAA State Tournament in his freshman year where he played against the best players in the state. But Sai was more than up to the task. Three of his four matches at State went to three sets, but his teammates came to cheer him on and keep him going strong through long points, games, sets, and matches. Sai described the experience as "electrifying."


Match Sai is the most proud of:

One of the matches Sai is most proud of is his first round match at State his freshman year. He had already faced off against his opponent a few times in other matches and tournaments. Sai lost the first set 2-6, but started making more shots and forcing his opponent to miss more in the second set, which he won 6-1. He had a rocky start to the third set and went down 1-4. Sai took the next five games and won 6-4. This comeback story is a perfect example of how hard Sai works and how he never gives up. 


Sai’s favorite pro tennis player to watch:

One of Sai’s favorite professional players to watch is Nick Kyrgios from Australia. Sai had the opportunity to watch him at the Western and Southern Open and admires how he can hit practically any shot he wants at any time. Sai said, “he was just awesome to watch.”


Sai’s advice for tennis players:

Sai advises tennis players to “stick with it.” Similar to other sports, tennis "matches go back and forth. You lose some; you win some,” but Sai says that as long as you put in 100% effort when practicing, you’ll see your hard work translate into winning matches.


Congrats to Sai and the Panthers on a great season! We’re expecting big things next year!


Stay tuned for more Off the Reels this fall!

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