Wrapping up a stellar tennis career during his senior season, Owensboro’s Dylan Mather played exceptionally well to earn himself the 2022 OT Boys Tennis Player of the Year.
“It means a lot to receive this honor,” Mather said. “There have been so many amazing players over the years that I grew up watching and being able to cement some sort of legacy is very meaningful to me.”
In a tough battle with Grayson County, Mather was able to grab a 6-1, 6-3, win in order to grab his second straight regional title in boys singles. He later went on to defeat DeSales and Meade County in his respective matchups, as his season came to a close in the Sweet 16.
Mather was able to earn countless success over his career with the Red Devils, crediting a number of factors to his success. But none bigger than the impact his parents had on him, saying they raised a child in sports the right way.
“My parents met at the University of Louisville—both play tennis—and my Dad played on the professional tour for many years,” Mather said. “With this kind of genetic success, many kids are pushed harder than they can afford and I never felt this pressure. I was always taught to intrinsically love the game of tennis and playing was always my decision.”
Mather also credited his Head Coach Cody Russelburg, as the two grew up around the tennis courts together and after nearly a decade had perfected how to communicate when it came to improving on a tennis court.
Some practices they pushed hard, some they didn’t, and everything always felt catered to how Mather’s body and mind felt. However, Russellburg made sure that most of all Mather was enjoying himself and making memories on the court.
“My biggest goal this season was to continue to have fun playing the game,” Mather said. “When I came back from my injury freshman year, I’ll never forget Cody telling me how he doesn’t care if I never play a single minute of tennis again, as long as I’m having fun out there. My last three years of high school tennis have been a lot of fun.”
Mather said that he will cherish the time he spent with the team the most this season, as he had taken on a much bigger role as leader. This was something very new to Mather, having been the little kid on the team for as long as he can remember.
“My freshman year, I was the only player on the team who couldn’t drive to practice,” Mather said. “This year, I was the only player who could drive to practice. This difference was a real test to my maturity this season and I am really proud of how I handled it. While the team was very young, there were still amazing moments during matches and practice that I will always cherish.”
With his playing days behind him, Mather will be attending the University of Alabama in the fall to study computer science on a national merit full ride scholarship. And while reflecting on his tennis career before he makes his way to Alabama to start his college education, he is thankful for just how much Red Devils tennis has influenced him as he has grown up.
“Owensboro tennis has had one of the biggest impacts on me [in my life],” Mather said. “I grew up around the game in all facets of life. Going from 10 to 18, maturing, growing, four different schools and four different batches of teammates. Owensboro tennis taught me so many lessons throughout the years it’s something I will never forget.”
