Q and A with US Open Wildcard Mallory Burdette

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Q and A with US Open Wildcard Mallory Burdette

By Chris Oddo

Mallory Burdette BOTW 12 Matthew Stockman Getty

(August 21, 2012) -- It's been a good summer for Mallory Burdette. After winning the N.C.A.A. doubles title and finishing runner-up in the singles in late May, the 21-year-old Georgia native went out and earned the USTA's U.S. Open wildcard with her fine results on the challenger circuit.

Next stop for the rising Stanford senior? The U.S. Open's main draw.

Mallory was nice enough to take time out of her busy schedule to answer Tennis Now's questions about her tennis, psychology and, of course, her family's farm in Georgia.

Tennis Now: Mallory, you had to put up some awesome results to earn the US Open wildcard. Congrats! Did the success you achieved on the challenger circuit this summer come as a surprise to you?

Mallory Burdette: I would have to say my answer to this question is yes and no. During my junior year, I mentally committed to taking the steps necessary to be the best player I could be and worked very hard on my game. In this regard, I am not surprised by the results that I've had because I knew that my hard work would pay off at some point. That said, I was surprised by how my hard work in college has translated to success at the pro level. I think it says a lot about the strength of college tennis and the fact that you can continue to develop while getting an education.

TN: What has been the secret to your success of late?

MB: My goal this summer was not to get a U.S. Open wild card or even to get a ranking (she's currently ranked No. 251 in the world), I simply wanted to see if I enjoyed traveling to play tournaments week in and week out. I can honestly say that I had a blast playing pro tournaments over the past month or so. I think a key for me has been keeping everything light and fun on the road.

TN: You had set points against Marion Bartoli this summer at the Bank of the West Classic. Pretty impressive. What was that experience like for you, and what can you take away from it as you move forward?

MB: Playing Marion on my home courts at Stanford was an awesome experience. I have always admired her game and ball striking abilities, and I was pretty excited when I realized that I was up set points on the number 8 player in the world. While I began to think about the great 7 or 8 games that I had just played to gain the lead, it quickly slipped away from me. In one regard, it was a huge confidence builder because I realized that I am capable of competing at the highest level. On the other hand, I got a taste of just how focused and disciplined you have to be on every point in order to beat a top player. It was a truly priceless experience because I have never learned more about myself and what I need to do to improve in one match!

TN: So, now that you made it to the main draw, what are your goals for the US Open?

MB: My goal for the U.S. Open is to enjoy the experience and take my matches one point at a time.

TN: Speaking of goals, what do you think you'll be doing with your life 10 years from now?

MB:10 years from now, I hopefully will have had a successful pro tennis career and will be taking the steps necessary to either become a clinical psychologist or a psychiatrist.

TN: What is the best piece of advice about tennis you ever received?

MB:The best piece of advice that I have ever received has been repeated to me countless times over my career by my coach, Nick Saviano. He always told me that winning and/or not losing cannot be the focus if you want to be a great competitor. The real magic happens when you let go of those things that you cannot control and fully commit to executing your game plan, one point at a time.

TN: Here's a hypothetical question: If you happen to win the US Open this year, would you still go back for your senior year at Stanford?

MB: That's a tough one! At this point, I would return to complete my degree (and hopefully win another National team title). I don't think I am ready to give up the amazing experience that is Stanford University.

TN: You are a psychology major at Stanford. Has your understanding of the subject helped you perform better on the tennis court, or does the game still drive you nuts even though you know you shouldn't let it?

MB: Majoring in psychology has certainly helped me to gain a better understanding of the human mind, and in that regard, it has helped me to better understand myself. But tennis is a very mental game, and it definitely still gets the best of me sometimes. There is always something to work on when it comes to improving your mental game, and I truly enjoy that challenge.

TN: Finally, while doing my homework for this interview, I saw you recently tweeted about bringing in the last summer pears from the Burdette farm (They looked delicious in the pic you posted). So you spent some time on the farm this summer? Do tell...

MB: My dad is a veterinarian and my mom is an animal lover so we grew up with horses, dogs, cats, and birds. We have 45 acres just outside of town where we keep our horses, and during the summer we have all kinds of fresh fruits from the trees. I would have to say that my favorite fruits from our farm are the pears and green apples! Of course, the horses like any fruit that you throw to them so they usually hang out by the fence and look cute until you give them some.

(Photo Credit: Matthew Stockman/ Getty)