West Side Story: How long have you been playing tennis?

Sasha Postnikov: I have been playing tennis since I could walk. My sister is older than me, so I was always on the court. but I started taking lessons when I was about five or six.

WSS: How did you make the initial decision to come to West?

SP: I felt like I didn’t fit in with the people at Prarie and West is a lot better academically, and it is a much more inclusive place overall. I didn’t feel supported by my peers or teachers at Prarie. But West is a much better community and I feel supported by everyone.

WSS: How has West High been different than your experience at Prarie so far?

SP: But I think at West our new coach Brenda has done a really good job of giving us resources and tools and she’s just very helpful and I know that she cares about us and the team outside of tennis, so our coach makes a really big difference. I’m very thankful for Brenda. Also, there are a lot better players here, the HTRC is right across the street. So a lot of the players here are more driven and have more experience.

WSS: Who is your biggest athlete idol?

SP: Probably Naomi Osaka, She is just fun to watch. I had the opportunity to watch her last summer. I think everything she stands for on and off the court is just really inspirational. She’s talked a lot about mental health and all the pressures of everything. She got a lot of criticism for taking a few months off, but you know if that’s what she needed to do, that’s what she needed to do.

WSS: What is your favorite part about playing tennis?

SP: My favorite part about playing tennis is walking off the court and knowing I put everything out there, and just feeling proud of myself. Tennis has always been my place. Whatever is going on, I could go to tennis and  I could play. Some of the best matches I remember have been when I lost but I know I played so well. Or when I made it to state as a freshman, that was one of the best days of my life I was overjoyed.

WSS: What are your personal goals for the season?

SP: My biggest goal is to improve my mental game. Last year I had a disappointing ending to state and in my third match, I let my emotions control me which led to some regretful decisions on the court. I just want to work and show everyone that I am not the same girl I was last year. I want to prove I am strong enough to win but also strong enough to lose because you lose a lot more than you win in tennis.

WSS: do you have any pregame rituals?

SP: I write a lot of affirmations in my journal. I am not religious, but there’s a serenity prayer it’s “grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, and change the things I can.” So I always say that to myself before my matches.

Listen to Sasha’s favorite pregame song: