By Sofie Raote ’28, Sports Editor

Whether it’s tennis players at the US Open or high school student-athletes at Newark Academy, is it passion or pressure that drives them to victory?

One of the most prestigious tennis championships in the world, the US Open takes place every year from the end of August to the beginning of September in New York. The tournament tests not only physical strength, but also mental endurance. Players are constantly projected across the media while attempting to present themselves in a positive manner, all while balancing their love for the sport with the expectations placed on them by coaches, sponsors, and fans.

During matches, stadiums are packed with spectators, creating a loud and potentially stressful environment. The highest-ranked tennis players from around the world come together to compete, and they must learn to maintain composure while powering through long, challenging sets in order to win.

Although the balancing act between passion and pressure is most visible among professional athletes, student-athletes at NA experience similar tensions. While they may not face the same level of public scrutiny, they must juggle demanding practice schedules while keeping up with grades and schoolwork.

At times, student-athletes experience anxiety and tension due to their busy schedules, yet they share a mutual dedication to excelling both athletically and academically. NA student-athlete Aerin Presman ’28 says, “I have long practices every single day after school, which sometimes makes it difficult to keep up with my classes. To avoid feeling stressed, I try to complete my work in school. If I can stay on top of my academics, it helps me focus more on what I love to do, which is my sport.”

Aerin fences at a national level and often travels internationally to compete. She explains that when she struggles to stay on top of her responsibilities, it takes a toll on her mental health. When her well-being suffers, she tends to place even more pressure on herself to succeed, rather than competing out of love for the sport.

NA student-athlete Celina Chen ’28 echoes this sentiment: “I often get stressed when I have a lot to worry about for both sports and school, and sometimes I focus too much on one rather than the other. For example, if I have a lot of tests at school, I spend time worrying about those, which takes my attention away from my sport.” Celina is a competitive volleyball player who participates in state-level tournaments.

Her experience highlights the importance of finding balance between athletics and academics. Unevenly prioritizing one over the other can diminish enjoyment in both. While a desire for excellence can motivate athletes to become their best selves, too much pressure can take a serious toll on mental health.

Ultimately, whether it’s top-ranked tennis players or high school student-athletes at Newark Academy, it is crucial that pressure does not overshadow passion. While athletes should remain ambitious and strive for excellence, their love for the sport should not be consumed by stress. By learning to manage external pressures and maintain balance, athletes can truly chase their goals for the love of the game.