“As a team, we aim to compete as hard as possible, which we believe will help us win the National title.” – Graeme McIntosh
Vancouver, BC – August 12, 2024, the UBC Men’s Tennis Team is set to compete at the U Sport National Championships set to take place on August 9-11, 2024 in Montreal. The matches will take place at the prestigious Stade IGA, a world-class tennis venue known for hosting the Rogers Cup. This setting offers an inspiring backdrop for athletes to compete at their highest level.
To provide a glimpse into their journey, we interviewed Graeme McIntosh, an athlete and Co-club Lead and Fundraising Officer of the UBC Men’s Tennis Team..
Meet Graeme McIntosh
Year & Faculty: 5th year (graduated undergraduate degree in April) in Faculty of Science
Major: Honours in Cellular and Physiological Sciences
Years playing Tennis: Roughly 15 years
Years with TSC: 5 years
TSC Role: Co-club Lead and Fundraising Officer
What are you most excited about for the U Sport National Championships?
Graeme:
I’m looking forward to competing on a big stage at a nationally recognized venue against the highest level of university tennis in the country. I can’t wait to see how our team performs and how the tournament unfolds.
How has your training regimen evolved as you prepare for the U Sport National Championships?
Graeme:
Our training has become much more frequent, with more practice sets and matches against top local players not on our team to better simulate the tournament environment.
What has been the toughest part of gearing up for the championships?
Graeme:
Maintaining a cohesive practice schedule has been challenging due to everyone’s different summer schedules, but our discipline and accountability have helped us hit our training goals.
How does the team prepare mentally for high-stakes matches?
Graeme:
Playing against unfamiliar players and participating in Tennis BC Open level events all summer has helped us stay mentally sharp. Our extensive experience in high-pressure situations also prepares us well.
Are there any team traditions or rituals that you follow before matches?
Graeme:
We have a group huddle led by coaches or senior members, ending with everyone yelling “FAMILY” on the count of three. This tradition reminds us we’re playing for each other.
What are your individual and team goals for this season’s championships?
Graeme:
Personally, I aim to leave everything on the court, believing it gives me a good chance to win any match. As a team, we aim to compete as hard as possible, which we believe will help us win the National title.
Who are your biggest influences or role models in tennis?
Graeme:
My junior coach Lev and UBC coach Barak. Barak’s passion and care for the team both on and off the court have been life-changing. We are motivated to win another National title for him.
What advice would you give to younger athletes aspiring to play at the university level?
Graeme:
View tennis as a positive in your life, even if it sometimes feels like an additional stressor. The benefits of keeping tennis in your life far outweigh the challenges.
Aside from the competition, what are you looking forward to the most about visiting Montreal?
Graeme:
I’m excited to experience the sightseeing and restaurants with my teammates. Montreal is a new destination for us as a team, and we’re eager to explore together.
Best of luck to Graeme and his teammates as they prepare for the U Sport National Championship. We’ll be cheering them on, wherever we would be. Be sure to follow UBC TSC and UBC Mens Tennis on Instagram for live updates on the team’s performance and most up to date news from TSC teams.
Go Thunderbirds Go!