By Sally Milano, USTA.com
Nate Schnugg, a 6-foot, 3-inch sophomore from Medford, Ore., joined the University of Georgia men's tennis team in January 2007 and has been a major contributor to the team’s success ever since. Schnugg, who was an All-SEC selection in 2007 as a freshman, played a big part in the Bulldog’s undefeated 32-0 season and helped lead the team to last year’s NCAA Men’s Team Championship. Currently ranked 17th in the ITA Rankings, the 19-year-old right-hander was just named the SEC’s Men’s Tennis Athlete of the Week for the week of Jan. 28. He took time from his busy schedule to answer some questions for USTA.com.
USTA.com: You’ve had great success in your college career so far. What have some of the highlights been for you to date?
Nate Schnugg: College has been unbelievable for me. Obviously, everything that happened during last year’s season was a dream come true. But I have to say the friends I made on the team overshadowed anything I did on the court. John (Isner) and Bo (Hodge) have to be the biggest pranksters I have ever met, always keeping the rest of the team on edge. But they also taught us how to have fun and get business done on the court.
USTA.com: What was it like for you last year as a freshman to join the Georgia team, which went undefeated all season and went on to win the NCAA men’s team championship?
Nate Schnugg: What can you say about a season like that?? Coach (Manuel) Diaz built a team that was so close off the court that it made us better on the court. It is rare to find a coach that knows how to put together individuals and make them a unit. Each of us was willing to do ANYTHING for the guy on the next court. I truly believe THAT is what made us so good last year.
USTA.com: Were there any advantages or disadvantages to joining the team in January 2007, as opposed to the beginning of the fall semester?
Nate Schnugg: It was a little different for me since I graduated high school early and was a little younger than everyone else. But Coach Diaz and Coach (Will) Glenn did an unbelievable job getting me ready for college competition, and the team did a good job getting me ready for college LIFE.
USTA.com: You had such a great junior career, winning two Grand Slam doubles titles and a number of very prestigious ITF and USTA tournaments. Did you ever consider turning pro right after juniors, or did you always plan to go to college?
Nate Schnugg: My success in doubles did offer a few fleeting thoughts about turning pro. But luckily for me they were VERY fleeting. My game has really come into its own under Coach Diaz and Coach Glenn. They made me a much better-rounded player. Soon I was enjoying not only success in doubles, but better singles results than I could have ever imagined. The number of matches and the experience in college is irreplaceable. Looking at how well John is doing in the pros only reinforces my decision to attend UGA. John is so tough mentally and has gotten so accustomed to winning in college he refuses to lose on tour, as well. I really respect the fact that he decided to stay in college for four years when so few people have made it in doing so.
USTA.com: Why did you decide to attend the University of Georgia? Were there other schools you were considering, as well?
Nate Schnugg: I was considering a lot of other schools: Texas, Georgia Tech, UCLA and Stanford. When it came down to it, it was a pretty easy decision for me. No offense to the other schools I was looking at because they have unbelievable programs. But I fell in love with UGA as soon as I got on campus. I know a lot of people who played for Coach Diaz, and I never heard a bad thing said about him. Everything worked out really well; the connection I had with the team was just a bonus.
USTA.com: What advice would you give to a junior player who is being recruited?
Nate Schnugg: Love your coach, and love your team. These people will be your best friends or your worst enemies. You spend so much time with them, you need to be able to get along with them at all times.
USTA.com: Was it tough to make the transition from high school studies and junior tennis to college classes and tennis?
Nate Schnugg: I actually got pretty lucky with the tennis aspect. My brother, Scott, [editor’s note: Scott is a former All-American from Georgia Tech] spent an unbelievable amount of time (I have no idea how he put up with me) making sure I was ready for college tennis, pros or whatever I wanted to do with the rest of my life. Being home-schooled put me a little behind of the curve with studying, but UGA gave me so many opportunities with tutors and such that I adjusted quickly.
USTA.com: What do you like most about playing college tennis and about college life, in general?
Nate Schnugg: 5,000 more girls than guys at UGA, what’s not to like?
USTA.com: What year are you, and what is your major?
Nate Schnugg: I am a sophomore and a finance major.
USTA.com: What do you like to do in your free time?
Nate Schnugg: I don’t have a whole lot of free time; need to catch up on studying with whatever time I do have.
USTA.com: Name some of your favorite things:
Nate Schnugg:
- Movie: Top Gun
- Actor/actress: Johnny Depp
- Music: Metallica
- Song: Crash by Dave Matthews Band
- Performer or musical group: Metallica
- Book: Enders Game
- Sports team(s): Go Dodgers!
- Athlete: Tough one… I have to go with Michael Jordan
USTA.com: Which pro tennis player or players do you admire most and why?
Nate Schnugg: Federer is not human. He moves so well and is disgustingly talented.
USTA.com: What do you think of the success your former teammate, John Isner, has had since he turned pro last summer? Did it surprise you how quickly he rose in the rankings? Do you keep in touch with him at all now?
Nate Schnugg: I have a huge amount of respect for John. He rose to the top 100 faster than anyone I have ever seen, and he is going to stay up there. He is one of the best guys out there and really fun to be around. We talk now and then. He has so much stuff going on right now, and I hate bothering him. But he is a great guy and a great player. Outplee John.
USTA.com: What are your goals for the future – in tennis and after?
Nate Schnugg: I will be turning pro sometime in the next couple years, and my goal is to be as good as I possibly can, be a stand-up guy and control my emotions on the court. It’s a very exciting time for me right now, and I can’t wait to see how everything turns out.
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