May 22, 2003

It is late afternoon on Thursday in Athens and today has been an unbelievable day. With my win today I have reached All-American status, the goal that I have strived for throughout my career at USC. It is the highest honor a collegiate player can earn and something that no one can take away from me.

I defeated a very good player today, Janne Holmia, the sixth-seeded player in the tournament. I was extremely nervous before the match, as I knew a victory would mean reaching what I have tried to attain for the past four years. In past years I have beaten some top players but missed out on achieving All-American status. That honor means so much to me being from the United States and is something I truly appreciate. I guess today I wanted it more than my opponent did.

Today I felt like I was “in the zone”, the feeling that athletes have when it seems like they can do no wrong. It is a strange feeling for sure. Everything comes together like you are watching a movie. I had a ridiculous first-serve percentage and hit unbelievably all match. The ball looked as big as a beach ball to me today.

I thought that last year I had a draw that was better suited for my chances at reaching the final 16, but did not capitalize on the opportunity. It figures that I would become an All-American playing in a draw in which I did not think I had a chance. When I first looked at the draw I saw that my first opponent beat me in a previous match and I figured that if somehow got past him I would face the No. 6 player in the nation and thought it would almost be impossible to defeat him.

When I woke up this morning I could hear the raindrops outside and it caused me concern. I feel like I am a weaker player indoors and by moving the match inside I thought it would be a disadvantage for me. When it was time for the match I thought, “This is it. There are no excuses.”

Having my grandparents in attendance gave extra meaning to achieving this goal today. My grandparents raised me and they paid for my tennis lessons as a kid. They have always believed in me and been there for me. We all became All-Americans today and my grandmother was in tears when I won the match.

I have reached my goal entering the tournament. By doing that, it feels like bricks have been removed from my back. Now I can play free and relaxed and see what happens.

Tonight it is off to Red Lobster for the steak and lobster tail. Since I have won each match after eating dinner there the night before, we are making it a nightly ritual.

NOTE: Follow Seth Rose’s third-round match with live scoring updates on Friday, May 23, through the University of Georgia’s NCAA Men’s Tennis Championships Page.