By Peter Skrumbis
Itâs Thursday afternoon at Mountain Gate Country Club, and an unknown tennis player from Harvard-Westlake School arrives for a private lesson in his sixth attempt to make one of the most competitive teams at his school: the tennis team.
âThe saying is âThe third timeâs a charm,ââ he said. âBut my hope is that multiples of three work a little better.â
If thereâs a name that ever belonged with the likes of great underdogs, itâs definitely Elliot Rosenberg â08. Rosenberg has been flying under the radar for the past six years; his story is one of dedication, hard work and disappointment.
 However, Rosenberg still has one more shot to make the Wolverine tennis team as a senior. Since the seventh grade, Rosenberg has tried out for the tennis team every year and has been turned away by the coaches.
âEvery year, the disappointment of not making the team has only made me work harder,â Rosenberg said.
âMy friends have always backed me up and have been there to cheer me up every time Iâve been cut. This year I have so many people pulling for me because itâs my last year that itâs hard not to stay motivated.â
One of those people, Mark Seraydarian â08, has spent several hours training with Elliot and giving him advice.
âElliot never gives up, and thatâs pretty admirable,â Seraydarian said. âWeâre all pulling for him; he has such a likable personality.â
As a senior, Rosenberg has ratcheted up his dedication. His training consists of three sessions a week, one with his private coach. He has looked forward to this spring for the last 11 months.
âThe coaches always say that one of the most important things in tennis is determination,â Seraydarian said. âElliot has tried out all six years and that should count for something.â
Through practice, Rosenberg has learned about himself, tennis and life.
âI feel that not taking it too seriously and realizing that I excel at other things besides tennis have allowed me to stay positive,â he said. âIâve come to learn that your mindset is often half the battle. If you can picture yourself smashing that serve, then you actually will more often than not.â