Though the NCAA deems men’s tennis a spring sport, the Stanford men’s tennis team starts its season in September. The Cardinal plays its first official Pac-10 match on Feb. 1, 2008, almost five months from now. But by the end of this weekend, the team will have already competed in a preseason match and two preseason tournaments.

“The goal of the fall is to prepare for the spring,” said junior Jeff Zeller. “In the spring, we work on learning how to win matches given your limits, no matter if you are the No. 1 player or playing at No. 6 singles. Fall is a time to extend those limits to their greatest potential so you will have the best opportunity to win.”

The fall tournaments are all individual singles and doubles play, and Stanford never competes officially as a team except in two preseason dual matches. The fall is good for getting match experience and playing against different styles of players, as well as adding things to one’s game, physically, technically and even mentally. The fall is also a time for players to get in shape.

“During the fall we lift weights and have morning workouts and work hard in that aspect,” said sophomore Kevin Kaiser. “You need to be in good shape to be able to endure the long season and long matches.”

“Fall tennis is focused on improving the physical aspects of your game,” sophomore Richard Wire said. “Like your body, your fitness, or your hit stroke.”

Fall is also a time to work with doubles partners. Since there are only three doubles pairings in a dual match, it is imperative that the Cardinal has three duos who play well together and have the right chemistry.

“Fall is a great time to see where all the guys fit in together,” said coach John Whitlinger. “We work with many different doubles pairings to see where guys fit well. [The fall] is an exciting time looking forward to the new season with the returners and the new [freshmen].”

Many of the players noted that the one downside to fall is that they never get to compete as a team. Fall tournaments are all about what the individual can do and how far the individual can advance in a certain tournament; the spring is about wins and losses as a collective team.

“If you lose a match in a fall tournament you are done,” said Kaiser. “If you lose a match in spring, you still have five other guys that can win, and most importantly get a win for a team.”

“In fall you generally play for yourself and your own improvement,” Zeller said. “In spring, we play for our teammates standing on the court next to us. We play for Stanford University and the tradition of Stanford tennis.”

Another unique aspect of fall is the annual trip the team takes to Hawaii over Thanksgiving Break. There, the Cardinal teaches clinics all day, practices and eventually plays a match against the University of Hawaii. After preseason tournaments, the trip serves as a good way to wind down in preparation for the regular season. After that, the season begins to creep up very quickly.

“No matter what, I am looking forward to that first match of the season,” said Zeller. “It is hard to get that out of your mind during the fall.

“It definitely makes a difference when you are practicing for the defending national champions on a day in January versus just practicing on a day in the fall.”

On Jan. 26, 2008, the Cardinal will take on defending national champion Georgia at the Taube Family Tennis Center. It’s a pretty sure bet the team is using the fall to get ready for that one.