Name: Etienne Paris
Sport: Tennis
Position: Doubles and singles
Hometown: Miami, Fla.
High School: Ransom-Everglades
School/Year: COL ’08
Major: Political Economy
HS Highlights: 2002-2004: MVP men’s tennis; 2003-2004: Florida Regional championship; 2003: Florida District championship
GU Highlights: 2005: Big East championship
When did you first start playing tennis? I was 10. My dad got me into it. He is a terrible player, but he loved tennis. I like the traveling, going to different tournaments. It was something outside of school too, so I could do it on my own. Playing in Florida helps a lot because you can play all year round.
What has been your most memorable tennis moment? I guess going to the Big East last year. It was good to make the tournament. It was my first year on the team, and I got to start.
Who’s your biggest rival? My best friend Sean Daily [who attends Wheaton]. I played him in my first tournament ever, and we became friends. We just play each other all the time. We played each other every year at finals and districts. In terms of teams: Villanova. My doubles partner from juniors plays singles for them.
What do you do to get psyched for a game? I listen to techno.
Who on the team do you rely on the most? I guess my coach [Assistant Coach Brook Deming]. He is always there if I need anything. If there are any problems he helps me out.
If you could be great at any other sport or event besides tennis, what would it be? Soccer. I had to make the decision to either continue playing soccer or tennis my sophomore year in high school. I played it my whole life . since I was a little kid. My coach told me to either pick tennis or soccer, and I said, “Sorry, I have to go with tennis.” I am glad I picked it because I ended up playing here.
Any superstitions? I try not to walk on the lines, most of the time. I try to tell myself I’m stupid by doing that, and try to walk on the lines. But then, I end up losing a point, so I go back to not walking on the lines.
What was the last song you heard on your iPod? y iPod’s broken.
What is in your tennis bag? Gatorade, headphones and a broken iPod.
Is it intimidating being a team captain as a sophomore? Yeah it is because there is a senior and two juniors on the team. It’s just hard, I felt like they should have been captain and not me.
As team captain, what is the biggest goal you have for your team this year? We want to beat Marquette this year so we can get a fifth seat at the Big East. Obviously, do the best we can at the Big East. Maybe win two matches.
What do you like to do when you are on vacation from Georgetown? Go to the beach, kite board, wakeboard. I do triathlons during the summer. My parents do it too, it is kind of funny. My dad is good at triathlons (better than he is at tennis), but terrible at marathons.
What magazine would someone find on your coffee table? Playboy.
What one word people use to describe you? I want to say Euro-trash, that’s what my roommates refer to me as.
What do you like to do when you are not playing tennis? Work out, play basketball and play racquetball.
Freshman dorm? New South. Freshman year I tried to escape from the hospital once when I was GERM-ed and needed stitches, in a hospital gown on St. Patty’s day. I got caught by [the Department of Public Safety] because he saw me running out. They just put me back in, and tied me down.
Embarrassing moment: I got locked out of my dorm freshman year in a towel after taking a shower. I had to go down to the lobby to get someone to open the door for me in my towel.
The most common thing you eat at Leo’s? Pasta, because everything else sucks. Pasta with ketchup. It’s kind of gross, but I like it.
Dream job? Working for Coca-Cola in Venezuela because I have family who makes bottles for them. I want to live there. My dad is from there and we go there a lot.
Favorite Georgetown professor? Yoel Wachtel
Favorite Georgetown Restaurant? Benihana’s for the $10 all-you-can-eat lunch special.
Biggest pet peeve? Loud chewing. Chewing with your mouth open. I just cringe whenever I hear it, it is just annoying, My parents always told me to chew with my mouth closed, so any noise while we are eating ticks me off.
Favorite TV show? It used to be the Adult Swim on Cartoon Network after 10:00pm.
Favorite Movie? “Ali-G: Indahouse”
The one thing you miss the most about home? The weather.
Who in your life has inspired you the most? My mom because, I grew up with my mom. She took care of me and got her Ph.D. while raising me. My dad was off working. She got me through school and stuff. She is a really big competitor too. She runs marathons and triathlons, I think it where I get my competitiveness from
What has been your greatest non-tennis related achievement? Getting into Georgetown.
How long do you see yourself playing tennis for? My whole life. I love it, and it is something you can do forever. There are always tournaments to play.
Any advice for people who want to join tennis? Practice a lot, As much as you can during the summer. That is when you get your time and your practice. You have to show up ready for the fall.
Booey’s or Wisey’s? Wisey’s. California Chicken.
