Forging an undefeated winning streak in the 2024 season, Boys Tennis Co-Captain Kevin Niu ’25 is a formidable force on the court. Leading with dedication, resilience, and an indomitable spirit, Niu redefines what it means to be an athlete.
Chase Burke ’25 recalled the first time he witnessed Niu’s athletic prowess. He noted how Niu’s unassuming appearance masks an uncontested dominance on the court.
“He wore the same Andover tennis hat every day. And, I thought to myself, ‘There’s no way this kid could be any good at tennis.’ And when I showed up to the first day of tryouts and I watched from the sidelines as he dismantled the hopes and dreams of everyone else seeking their Varsity A position, it was truly awe-inspiring,” said Burke.
Niu is no stranger to confronting those who underestimate him. He spoke on his mission to challenge the normalization of body shaming and to be a symbol of athleticism.
“They say, ‘You know I saw you, I didn’t think you’d be that great at tennis.’ But, once they play with me and get to know me as a teammate, then they realize that looks can be deceiving. I think I’m a living testament to all the body shamers in the world who judge people before they actually see them,” said Niu.
Burke reiterated Niu’s resilience amidst a culture that equates athleticism with a certain body type. He mentioned Niu’s ability to remain calm in the face of jokes and his determination to let his performance on the tennis court do the talking.
Burke said, “Kevin doesn’t let anything get to him. He’s here for a reason, and his mission is to step on the court, do his job, and step off the court… He doesn’t let anything, what anyone says, get to him at all. It really just bounces off.”
Burke commented on Niu’s agility and ball-retrieval skills, comparing Niu’s smooth footwork to that of an elegant dancer. His ability to get to every ball, no matter how hard it may be to get there goes to show how hard he works on and off the court.
“I remember playing him Freshman year in a challenge match. There’s so many shots he’d hit. And it’s like, wow, he really got to that ball. And it’s jaw-dropping. And the way he moves around the court so gracefully, like a ballerina almost,” said Burke.
Beyond defying expectations on the court, Niu emphasizes the importance of fostering meaningful relationships with his teammates outside of practice.
Niu said, “It’s important to build a relationship with everyone on the team, you know, on an individual basis, talk to them off the courts, eat with them. Help them with advice outside tennis, like classes, or with social life. Then also just during the matches to really be someone who they know they can turn to if they need support, or if they need help with anything.”
Jacob Pletka ’27 highlighted how Niu transcends grade divisions to make his presence known among the lowerclassmen. He sets the example and leads the team with confidence and a friendly spirit.
“He makes sure that everybody knows him. And he talks to us. He’s very outgoing. He spends time with us, which some other Uppers are selfish and don’t do,” said Pletka
Niu hopes to end the 2024 season with a perfect winning record.
