Faces Off the Field gives us a deeper look into the thoughts and lives of Austin-area high school student-athletes. Today, we feature Westlake tennis player Luke Riezebeek, who overcame a serious injury to reach the UIL state finals.
All About Luke: Watching and Playing on Tennis’s Greatest Stage
Say something about yourself that most people don’t know.
I’m half Dutch and growing up I spent my summers visiting my father’s family in the Netherlands.
What was your favorite vacation?
My favorite vacation was going to the Indian Wells (California) tennis tournament with my family during spring break 2019. Before that, neither my brother nor I had ever attended a professional tennis tournament.
The highlight was watching Roger Federer versus Dominic Thiem in the men’s singles final, which was an incredible experience to see the level of the best players in the world.
If you could play on any field in the world, where would you go?
It would be Court Philippe-Chatrier at Roland Garros because of the clay surface, the tournament’s rich tradition and the incredible atmosphere of the French crowd.
If a caveman came back to live in modern times, what would intrigue him most?
I think he would be particularly intrigued by the use of technology, especially the smartphone, in our daily lives to accomplish tasks and solve problems. Cavemen had to rely on themselves and their physical abilities as well as the resources available to them to live and solve their problems.
What do you think are the greatest inventions in the world?
I think the Internet, penicillin, and airplanes are the greatest inventions in the world because they have revolutionized human life and the way we can interact with each other. The Internet allows us to communicate quickly with each other, even if we are far away, and gives us quick access to information.
Penicillin is another great invention, because it was the first drug to successfully treat serious and previously fatal bacterial infections. Finally, the airplane, because it allows us to travel long distances across several countries and oceans in a relatively short time.
What do you plan to do after graduation?
Currently, I am in the application process at Bowdoin College (in Brunswick, Maine) to continue my academic and athletic career.
Getting to the State the Hard Way
What is your fondest memory of tennis at Westlake?
My favorite tennis memory so far was reaching the state championship in the 6A boys singles tournament this past spring. Reaching the state championship was incredibly special to me because of the adversity and challenges I had to endure along the way as well as the opportunity to represent my school on the biggest stage in high school tennis.
What happened?
Two weeks before the district tournament, I learned that I had a broken sesamoid bone in my foot and would be sidelined for two months. However, after talking with my doctor, we agreed on a hybrid schedule that would allow me to play the spring season while minimizing the impact on my foot.
I was able to compete in the district and regional tournaments without any preparation and was fortunate enough to qualify for the state tournament. In that tournament, I was able to beat two top opponents before losing the state championship.
Do you have any pre-match rituals?
Before a game, I like to start my routine with a 10-minute visualization where I focus on controlling my breathing and visualizing how I want the game to go. After my visualization, I do a 15-minute dynamic warm-up to warm up my muscles. I also like to listen to Bob Marley music during my warm-up because it allows me to be in the most relaxed and calm mental state possible before I step on the field.
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Dream Dinner: It’ll be a Marley Party
If you could have dinner with four people from world history, who would they be?
I would choose Kobe Bryant, Arthur Ashe, Bob Marley and JJ McCarthy.
Why did you choose JJ McCarthy?
I love the unique approach he takes every day to reach his full potential as a football player. I would really like to know more about the importance he places on meditation and mindfulness, as well as the effects of his mental practices on his performance as an athlete.
This article was originally published on the Austin American-Statesman: Faces off the court: Westlake tennis player Luke Riezebeek
