Girls Tennis Co-Captain Evelyn Kung ’26 started her tennis journey at a young age. Growing up in Andover, she attended Andover’s matches as a child and hoped to one day represent Big Blue herself.
“I’ve been playing tennis for a really long time, since I was about seven. I’ve lived in Andover, so I was able to come to Phillips Academy games as a kid, and I always knew I was really excited to hopefully make Varsity A when I got here. My grandfather was the person who got me into tennis to begin with. He would take me out every morning when I was little and teach me how to play, so I would say he was definitely one of my biggest supporters,” said Kung.
Teammate Nitya Madduri ’28 highlighted Evelyn’s energetic leadership and its impact on the team’s morale.
“She always leads our Andover chant. She’s always there for us, especially when we’re having a hard day with academics or social life. I know I can always count on her. Without her, the team dynamic would be very different,” said Madduri.
As Co-Captain, Kung emphasizes uplifting her teammates both on and off the court.
“I think a good mentality is that when you’re not playing, you should be cheering everyone on. As soon as I step off the court, if any of my teammates are still playing, I stay on the sidelines supporting them. Especially during doubles, my partner and I have a great relationship. It’s our second year playing together, and we always have little rituals, like high-fiving every time we win a point. I think that really helps,” said Kung.
Teammate Michelle Oh ’29 pointed to Kung’s composure in high-pressure moments.
“In close games, many people either freeze in tough situations or try to hit too hard and miss. Evelyn knows when to keep a rally going, stay consistent, and when to take smart winning shots. That’s a really important skill she has in those tough moments,” said Oh ’29.
Madduri also remarked on Kung’s presence during practice, particularly in how she maintains a positive team atmosphere.
“During practices, she has definitely boosted our morale, especially with the seniors. We only have three seniors, and it’s such a small team, so her impact is even more significant. This past week, when a lot of college decisions were coming out, she kept her mood positive and uplifting,” said Madduri.
Looking ahead, Kung hopes to continue playing tennis in college at the club level.
“I think playing club tennis would be really fun. I’m going to a university where tennis is Division I, so unfortunately, I don’t think I’d be able to compete at that level, but playing club there would still be a great experience,” said Kung.
