Junior Player Spotlight: Cooper Williams and Evan Wen, Dwight Global

N EW YORK TENNIS MAGAZI N E’S JUNIOR PLAYER SPOTLIGHT BY BRIAN COLEMAN

COOPER WILLIAMS AND EVAN WEN DWIGHT GLOBAL ONLINE SCHOOL

The last few months have seen us all adapt to a new normal, altering the way we typically do almost everything, including going grocery shopping, hanging out with friends and getting an education.

For students and teachers alike, transitioning from being in a physical classroom to a virtual one can be a difficult one. But for students at Dwight Global Online School, the online program of Dwight School based in New York City, no transition was required.

Dwight School has a rich history as a leading educator dating back nearly 150 years, and in 2014, it launched Dwight Global, which has COOPER WILLIAMS become a top destination for the country’s highly ranked junior tennis country in their respective age groups, and players looking for strong academics. have found success both on and off the

Two of those players reside right here in court after choosing Dwight Global for their the tri-state area: Cooper Williams and education. Evan Wen. Both are among the top in the Williams is a rising freshman from

Greenwich, CT, who is the top-ranked player in the nation, according to TennisRecruiting.net. He just finished his second year in Dwight’s online program, and has compiled fantastic results in tournaments over the last year, including competing in ITF events in Austria, Belgium and Sweden in early 2020. For someone who travels that far and for long periods of time during the school year, it’s imperative to have an academic program that fits your schedule. “I used to commute to a private school in New York City. But as I started getting older and my tennis continued to get better, I started playing more tournaments that would be five days long as opposed to three days — it just wasn’t possible anymore,” said Williams. “I was accepted by Dwight and they have done a fantastic job of accommodating me,

especially when I started playing internationally. I’m able to reach out to my teachers at any time. There’s usually a time difference, so they allow me to switch my class times, if necessary. It’s just a really great program that is designed for every student.”

Wen, a rising junior and Morristown, NJ, native, echoed those sentiments. Wen is currently ranked 10th nationally and third in New Jersey, according to TennisRecruiting.net, and competed in multiple ITF events in Mexico earlier this year.

“Dwight Global allows you to reach out with times that you are available for classes and correlate those times with the teacher’s availability,” said Wen, who wrapped up his third year at Dwight this spring. “The scheduling is more attuned to when you’re available, as opposed to a strict schedule that the school puts in place.

Also, when you have to travel to a tournament, the teachers are understanding of the fact that you may need more time. There’s a chance you’ll fall behind and they help you work your way back into it. The teachers are so responsive; they’re just always so helpful and accommodating.”

As the COVID-19 pandemic swept across the globe, schools and teachers everywhere were forced to adapt their normal in-class curriculum to a virtual one. It was a difficult task for most, but because of Dwight School’s built-in structure and platform online, this was not an issue for Dwight Global students and teachers.

“I spoke to my teachers twice a day during the pandemic,” said Williams. “In general, the teachers are amazing and they make sure your priorities are their priorities.”

It’s been a strange few months for everyone; for two high-level tennis players, who are used to constant traveling and competing in tournaments on a weekly basis, the lack of matches has been a unique experience. But both have made sure to maintain their training during this Photo credit: Your Game Face possible: training the same amount, getting the same amount of sleep, continuing to do fitness, etc. I’m using this time to develop weapons. It’s a great time to start working on things, and focusing on the parts of my game that have room for improvement. I’ve spent a lot of time working on my inside-out forehand — I love that shot. My forehand is one of my better shots, but I’ve been working on getting around the ball more and doing different games and drills to emphasize that. I’ve also done a lot of serve-plus-one drills. I like playing that style with quick points, dictating with my forehand and my serve. So just a few small areas that I want to add to my game have been my main focus.” EVAN WEN In May, Williams and his sisters, Nathalie and Naomi, made their way south to continue their training, as mandated hiatus to ensure they will be they typically do every summer. ready when matches do return. As we approach the fall, it is still uncertain

Wen has established a core group of whether or not students will be going back players, all highly ranked, to hit with during to physical classrooms this coming school the pandemic — the sort of competition year. But that is not an issue for students that forces you to improve your game. who attend Dwight Global Online School,

“This year, I found a really good home at who won’t miss a beat when the school year the John McEnroe Tennis Academy. starts up again. They’ve been so helpful and I was starting Two of the best players in their respective to feel confident with my game again. Then age groups have chosen Dwight for their the quarantine hit and I wasn’t able to see education, both for its highly regarded the coaches I had been working with,” said academic programs, as well as its ability to Wen. “But I’m extremely lucky, because I complement the intense training and and three other players, guys in the Top 10 tournament schedules required to reach the in the nation, all live within 30 minutes of level each player is aspiring to. Dwight each other in New Jersey. We work it out Global also has a strong track record with so we sometimes hit one-on-one. If all four college placements. For example, a recent of us can get together, we play doubles. Dwight Global graduate and Princeton It’s been great getting to play against this student, Karl Poling, was named the 2019 level of competition daily and I’ve been Ivy League Men’s Tennis Rookie of the Year. able to hone my skills working with these “Dwight Global is the best program for guys. We’re all high-level players, we all top junior tennis players who want to want to get better, and we’re all out here experience a world-class education,” said super-focused on the same goal.” Dwight School Vice Chancellor and Captain

For Williams, despite indoor sites being of the 1994 Columbia University Ivy League shut down, a court close enough to home Championship Tennis Team Dr. Blake enabled him to continue playing. Spahn. “Dwight Global allows them to have

“It’s in a reclusive area and we have full the academic experience of a New York City access to it,” he said. “I’ve been playing private school, while also providing the every day and making sure I’m doing my flexibility they need to achieve their goals in fitness as well. The last few months I’ve tennis. I wish we had this program at Dwight tried to keep everything as normal as when I was in high school!"