inspire Yourself: Alex Smith

Twelve-year-old Alex Smith, a sixth grader at Hill Country Middle School in Austin, Texas, is not your typical tennis fan. He has connections.

Namely, Andy Roddick, but the real story here is what you can accomplish when you have the will to succeed.

Alex began playing tennis at the tender age of six at the Austin Country Club, where he still trains today with younger sister, Carlin.

Alex, a natural right-hander, was progressing well in the sport until one faithful afternoon that would change his life forever.

Alex was involved in an unfortunate boating accident last September, which caused him to lose function in his right hand. Unbroken, he recovered and switched to playing left-handed only ten days later.

But he had a little bit of encouragement.

Shortly after the accident, Alex’s mother, Phyllis, emailed Mrs. Roddick. The same afternoon she received a reply and by the next week, only three days after Andy won the US Open, Andy and Mandy went to visit Alex at the hospital.

“We thought it would be just a five minute visit, but Andy stayed a good twenty-five minutes chatting with Alex,” Mrs. Smith recalls.

From then on, Alex and Andy have remained in touch, via phone and email, and Alex has even scored a Reebok endorsement, becoming only one of three kids in the country to do so.

But Alex was still surprised to arrive home from vacation and see seven boxes of apparel from Reebok sitting in the front corridor of his house. He had previously mentioned how much he liked the new red and white thread that Reebok had introduced. In that case, Andy, I like the new green and navy ensemble and I’m a size small. Only kidding.

Sitting in the player’s lounge with his mother, sister, and coach, Kenan Yayboke Alex looks cool in country club attire and a worn Reebok trucker cap.

“Was that Andy’s?” I ask. He nodds.

Alex had not washed the cap since receiving it as a gift from Andy two months ago. He wanted to savor all that was left of Andy in it.

I learn that Kenan, whose name has Turkish roots, also works with a Leigh, a family friend of mine in Austin. Small world!

After chatting a while, Andy entered the lounge from the locker room and gave Alex a tour, but it was time for press so the tour was cut short.

“Hey Alex, you to want to go to the press conference with me? It’s where she (referring to me) asks me a bunch of questions.”

Alex agrees and we all huddle down to the media center. “Okay, you want to go and sit with Sarah?” Andy asks, as he takes the podium and transforms from older brother to American tennis star.

After meeting with the press, Andy challenged Alex to a ping-pong match, which lasted until Alex’s mother announced that they had to drive back to Austin. After all, Alex may be well connected, but it was still a school night.

Not to disappoint, Andy invited the Smith’s back for his quarterfinal match against Jurgen Meltzer on Friday.

So is Alex is a fan of Andy’s? “Big time!” is his response, and he promises to be back if the Davis Cup semifinals are held in Houston this September.

In the meantime, Alex continues to be active with the USA Team Tennis and the Central Austin Tennis Association (CATA).

Good luck Alex and Andy!