University of Nebraska High School, Decorated Tennis Athlete Learns to Trust His Training | University of Nebraska High School

Aarav Hada first held a racquet at the tender age of two. Now at 18, Aarav has achieved numerous accolades and top rankings over the years, including being ranked No. 1 in the U14 (age 14 and under) category in the Asian Tennis Federation (ATF) Junior Circuit early in 2021.

Aarav’s interest in tennis at a young age was inspired by his caretaker who loved the game. Aarav subsequently watched a lot of tennis on television and began formal tennis lessons at the age of four.

While a close acquaintance of the family fostered his initial interest in tennis, Aarav’s support system runs deep. His family has played a big role in his athletic career from the beginning. They have supported Aarav both emotionally and financially, and he recognizes and appreciates how much they have dedicated their lives to this journey with him.

Aarav has also traveled around the world learning a great deal from the instruction and guidance he has gained from coaches. Aarav states, “All of my coaches have given insights that have shaped the person and player that I am today.” Furthermore, he values the relationships he’s developed with friends and competitors, as they push him to get better too. Aarav also enjoys volunteering to teach young school children with basic skills in tennis and assists in organizing local junior tournaments.

Aarav’s tennis career has been met with both challenges and successes over the years. He says that one obstacle he has faced is the mental toughness that is needed in this game because he’s struggled at times with self-doubt and an uncertain confidence in his abilities. This is a common struggle among high level athletes and just goes to show that well-rounded training involves not just the physical component but a mental one as well.

To help maintain his sharpness both physically and mentally, Aarav often recalls the best advice he’s been given, which is to “trust the process.” Many coaches have shared this advice with him and it’s a concept he has learned to understand more fully with maturity and experience. Competition results can be unpredictable and aren’t always what athletes hope for or expect, so it’s important to have patience and persistence to keep progressing no matter what the circumstances may be.

Playing tennis at such a highly competitive level means that Aarav has a very busy training and competition schedule. That’s where UNHS comes into the picture. Aarav learned about UNHS from friends and fellow tennis competitors who were already taking courses with the school. Aarav came to realize that the flexibility and affordability of UNHS made it the best choice to manage both his academic and athletic expectations.

"UNHS courses allowed me to save assignments and come back later to finish them. This let me work on assignments without having the pressure to finish them on the spot."Aarav

This fall, Aarav plans to attend college and study kinesiology or sports-related programs. Sports have been a huge part of his life, and he wants to help others who are following a similar path. “I’d like to go to a school that has a good tennis program where the players develop both as athletes, and as people,” remarks Aarav. Ultimately, Aarav hopes the future brings the opportunity to become a professional tennis player and/or pursue a sports-related profession.

Aarav would like to share this bit of advice with other students considering enrolling with UNHS: “I would tell them to follow their passions, along with the academics if they are considering UNHS. The school’s flexibility allows them to explore and nurture their other interests.”

UNHS offers flexibility in many ways, not just in the ability to save assignments for later study. UNHS courses can be completed in as few as five weeks or as long as a year, so they work well for busy, ever-changing schedules. And the Theorem Learning Management System allows students to log in to complete coursework online whenever they choose.

"I'd like to thank UNHS for their support and their wonderful program. Coming from a country like Nepal, where the concept of online schooling does not exist, UNHS was a big change that allowed me to pursue my tennis in easier fashion compared to a regular physical school."Aarav

Congratulations Aarav! You have accomplished a lot so far in your young life. UNHS can’t wait to see what you serve up next!