Komal Safdar started playing tennis as a toddler just for fun. She continued playing all through her childhood, but didn’t really consider her future in the sport until she was a teen.

“I didn’t really start structured lessons in tennis until I was around 10 years old,” Safdar said.

Now, Safdar is an integral player for Syracuse (2-5). Her preparation and energy have won over the entire team. On a team lacking senior leadership, the sophomore has stepped into that role through her attitude toward the sport.

Safdar began playing in tournaments during her teenage years, discovering she had a knack for the game. She developed a love for the sport of tennis, a love that was organic, coming from her own enthusiasm.

“It was also a lot self-motivated because my parents never made me play,” Safdar said.

It’s that enthusiasm that makes her the effective leader of a team devoid of a strong veteran presence.

“She’s probably the one that I really direct a lot of the students to,” head coach Luke Jensen said, “to talk to about how to study better, how to study smarter.”

Jensen has even begun using a phrase of Safdar’s. Following an unsatisfactory grade on an assignment, Safdar said she needed to “reorganize and restructure the way I study.” Now, following a bad practice or bad stretch, Jensen will tell his team the same thing Safdar told him.

When describing her practice habits, Safdar epitomizes the saying, “practice how you play.” Doubles partner Amanda Rodgers notices the passion Safdar brings to practice daily.

“In practice she’s really intense and she’s really pumped up so it makes me pumped up and I think it makes the whole team really intense and really wanting to get better every day,” Rodgers said.

Safdar’s performance on the court is derived from the mentality she brings to the court every single day.

“She thinks about it,” Jensen said. “A lot of people walk out here and they just play tennis, you know, like it’s a recreational sport, and for her it’s an approach of ‘How can I better myself every single day in my area?’”

The preparation extends to off of the court as well when partners Rodgers and Safdar review their plan of action.

“The night before, she’s always really focused,” Rodgers said. “We always talk about doubles the night before and what we’re going to do and how we’re going to play, and so I think it’s really important because she’s already visualizing the match the next day.

Safdar’s journey led her to Syracuse, but it is far from finished. She plans on following the structure of the SU program Jensen has developed, where the end goal is a degree, as well as a future in professional tennis.

But before the professional stage, Safdar can continue to build upon her successes that have gotten her this far. Safdar is just a sophomore, but has compiled a 36-19 overall record (.528).  Teaming up with Rodgers, she is undefeated in four doubles matches this season.

What will always stick with Safdar is her drive to become a better tennis player, something Jensen especially takes note of.

“Purpose is her theme,” Jensen said, “and when I think of her, I think of someone who is very articulate and very driven and very focused, but lives with a purpose.”

Her arrival at Syracuse was a step, but the ride isn’t done yet. There are no guarantees she has a future in professional tennis, but she hasn’t known anything other than the tennis court since she started playing as a child.

Said Safdar: “I can’t imagine not playing tennis after college.”

Published on February 13, 2013 at 12:52 am

Contact Danny: dacuneo@syr.edu