Rutgers-Newark Athletics

By Jim Hague

Elijah Kim never played competitive tennis while attending Northern Valley-Old Tappan High School.

In fact, Kim never played a stroke of competitive tennis before enrolling at Rutgers-Newark three years ago.

“I played recreationally, with friends and all, but never in a real league or anything like that,” Kim said.

But when Kim arrived in Newark, he wanted to give tennis a shot.

“I always wanted to play more competitively,” Kim said. “I just never had a chance. I started playing tennis my junior year in high school, so it was too late for me to try out there. I hit with a few members of the team and that gave me confidence. But I knew I had a lot of work to do. I just thought I could do it for the heck of it.”

When Kim tried out for the Rutgers-Newark squad, coach Ken Graham knew that he had a project on his hands.

“I knew he was a developing player,” Graham said. “He came at the right time. I was losing a lot of seniors on the team. It was like a leaking boat. I had to plug the holes of it, so Elijah was part of the rebuilding of the program.”

Kim had no idea how tough it would be to play collegiate tennis.

“It came as a total surprise to me,” Kim said. “The first year, I didn’t win a single match.”

Kim was indeed 0-8 his first season.

“I was a little shell shocked,” Kim said. “I didn’t think it would be that hard. I was playing way above my level and I thought I wasn’t going to be able to handle it. It took me a good two years to get where I am.”

Flash forward two seasons and Kim, a senior with junior eligibility, is more than competitive for the Scarlet Raiders.

“He’s been a real asset to the team,” Graham said. “He’s won the last four matches he’s played in. He’s also done well in his doubles matches.”

Kim currently plays fifth singles and second doubles for the Scarlet Raiders. He’s undefeated at 4-0 at fifth singles and has a 6-4 overall record as a singles player this season. He’s tied for the team lead in victories with Youssef Rizk, who has also been Kim’s doubles partner once this year, also a victory.

“He’s been a force for us and I’m very pleased with that,” Graham said. “I think because of his experience playing doubles, it’s helped his ground strokes. His volleying technique has improved. His ground strokes and serve have become more consistent. His overall game has improved so much. It’s all come together for him, to the point where he now has the college experience we’re looking for.

Added Graham, “He’s really had a chance to display how much he’s developed this year. It’s amazing that he never played in high school. I have to admit. There was some skepticism as to whether he could do it when he first arrived. But he’s become dominant now at fifth singles.”
Kim has enjoyed this season immensely.

“I’m finally here,” Kim said. “I can play tennis now. I am one of the few members of the team that has a winning record. I couldn’t be happier. I see the improvement in my game and it shows in my scores.”

Kim is a math major at Rutgers-Newark. He’s only a few credits shy of receiving his degree, but he plans on returning next spring for his final season of college tennis. Because he didn’t play tennis as a freshman, Kim has another year of eligibility to play.

Kim hopes to become an actuary after his college days are done.

“It’s been great,” Kim said. “I’ve made some great friends playing tennis, people who will still be my friends after graduation. I like being an athlete. It’s cool to brag about the fact I’m a college athlete. I love my teammates and that’s the greatest thing about playing tennis here.”

Can Kim comprehend the idea that he’s a successful college athlete after never playing his sport competitively before college?

“It’s pretty incredible,” Kim said. “I’ve come a long way since I joined the team.”