Former Auburn men's tennis All-American Tim Puetz was more excited than head coach Eric Shore had ever seen him after the Tigers won a match against Alabama 4-3 in Tuscaloosa.
Puetz lost his doubles and singles matches that night, but that didn't matter to him as much as the team winning.
According to Shore, it was not about winning or losing for a "humble" person like Puetz, but learning about life through the game of tennis.
"It's not so much about tennis," Puetz said. "It's about getting more mature and learning the things that matter more. I learned that in Auburn."
The former Tiger has come a long way since his tennis days on the Plains.
Puetz's first adventure at Wimbledon came to an end Wednesday, June 25 after his second-round loss to No. 16 seed Fabio Fognini in London.
After playing in the U.S. Open and the French Open already, he was excited to compete against more big names at Wimbledon.
"That's what you play tennis for," Puetz said. "You play tennis to play the guys you see on television."
Puetz was a four-year letter-winner and All-American at Auburn. He posted at least 18 singles wins each year.
During his senior season in 2010, Puetz made a run to the NCAA semifinals in singles with a .857 winning percentage and an 18-3 record. He also earned All-SEC honors during each of his four seasons at Auburn.
Puetz's relaxed mentality on the court is what helps him deal with pressure, according to Shore.
"He's never been a kid that gets too stressed out," Shore said. "He just enjoys the competition and doesn't let it affect him personally."
Puetz said he believes in finding a balance that works for you.
"Every player is different," Puetz said. "Some players are really, really intense when they play. I'm not like that. I try to be focused, and at the same time relaxed. There are some things you can't control and that you can't get too upset about when you play."
At just 26 years old, Puetz appears to have his best days ahead of him.
Shore believes he also has the potential to make a name for himself in doubles.
Puetz and his former Auburn doubles partner Alexey Tsyrenov advanced to the semifinals of the NCAA Doubles Championships in 2009, finishing the year ranked sixth in the nation by the International Tennis Association.
"He is very diverse," Tsyrenov said. "He can play on the baseline, but he can also shut down people with the serve and volley and he can be really good at the net."
To this day, Puetz claims his time spent at Auburn was the best of his life and said the atmosphere is different on the Tour.
"You're playing for yourself," Puetz said. "You're not playing for the team anymore. Auburn was the best for me. You had the team atmosphere."
He still keeps in touch with most of his friends from college, including Shore and Tsyrenov.
"I come to Auburn as much as I can every time I'm in the states," Puetz said. "I miss everything about it."
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