A popular expression says patience is a virtue.
Having patience certainly did not sit well with men’s tennis star Michael Venus when he came to LSU as a sophomore in 2006 and an NCAA rule prohibited him from playing.
“It was tough sitting out last year and watching them, but it’s pretty exciting to be out there with the guys now,” he said.
Venus, now a junior, spent his freshman year at the University of Texas, where he helped the Longhorns win the Big 12 Championship in 2005. He played in the No. 6 slot that season, finishing with a 26-12 singles record and a 21-8 record in doubles.
But Venus left the Longhorns because it just wasn’t a good fit for him.
“The coach and I didn’t get along so well back there,” Venus said. “My coach from the juniors is good friends with [LSU men’s tennis coach] Jeff [Brown], and I heard great things about the team and the program here.”
Brown also sees Venus’ enthusiasm to play competitively on the court.
“It was a long year for him to not be able to play as much as he likes to,” Brown said. “He loves to compete, so patience wasn’t what he wanted to have, but he was forced to have it.”
Venus will bring his competitive energy when the No. 18 Tigers continue match play against No. 32 Clemson on Thursday.
Senior teammate Kevin Dessauer also said how unfortunate it was for Venus to sit out his first year.
“I think everybody was sad he wasn’t able to play because we were counting on him to be part of the lineup,” Dessauer said. Now that Venus is on the court, Brown said what is most impressive about him is his “extreme work ethic.”
“First of all, he is one of the hardest workers I’ve seen since I’ve been here as a coach,” Brown said. “He stays late and comes early, and I think people get caught up in it because he’s usually getting on somebody else to do more with him.”
Venus’ doubles partner, junior James Cluskey, also said work ethic and dynamic personality define Venus.
“We’ve got a good camaraderie,” Cluskey said. “He’s a funny guy and pretty energetic, and I’m excited for this season to play with him. He works pretty hard, which causes people around him on the team to work hard as well. He’s always got something to say, and he’s a good team player.”
Venus first took an interest in tennis while he was growing up in New Zealand. His three older sisters and both parents played tennis, so he said he was always around the tennis court.
He came to the United States when he was 15 and attended Olympia High School in Orlando, Fla. While playing tennis there, he compiled an overall record of 48-16, including 20-0 against ranked players.
Upon graduation, Venus was the No. 1 high school recruit in the nation, according to tennisrecruiting.net.
That No. 1 status stemmed from his dominating performances in the United States Tennis Association Boys’ 18 division. Prior to starting at Texas, he was No. 2 in the Boys’ 18 national rankings as well as No. 148 in International Tennis Federation world rankings.
Venus was modest about his high school success.
“I mean, it was all right,” Venus said. “Everyone was very supportive, and it was always nice coming back after doing well in a tournament. Everyone always asked how you were doing and wanted to check up on you, so that made you want to do well.”
Venus has a 5-2 record this spring, and Dessauer said Venus has continued to raise the level of everyone’s game.
“He’s definitely loud, and he’s definitely intense,” Dessauer said. “He really helps us out with his work ethic, especially during practice.”
Dessauer said Venus sets a great example for the newest Tigers.
“Hopefully the younger guys aren’t as crazy as he is,” Dessauer said jokingly. “But he’s definitely a good role model for them as far as how to practice and how to prepare and be professional on the tennis court.” The Tigers (3-1) face Clemson (7-4) at W.T. “Dub” Robinson Stadium at 2 p.m. Brown said the team will have to raise its intensity if it wants to play well against Clemson and coach Chuck Kriese, who has been at Clemson for 33 years.
“[Kriese] actually recruited me when I was a player … and I know the type of team he brings in,” Brown said. “They’re one of the hardest fighting teams to compete against, and this is one of the tougher matches we’ll play all year.”
Dessauer said Venus will bring needed energy for a tough match.
“It’s important to be physically fit for the match, and that’s what we’re focusing on,” Dessauer said. “If your match does go three sets, you have to be able to stay out there and outlast a Clemson team that’s been practicing further north, so it’s still cold up there. I want it to be as hot as it can be [Thursday].”