TOM HAYES
TENNIS
By TOM HAYES IT is quite the journey from Traralgon to Eugene, Oregon in the United States, where the University of Oregon resides, almost 13,000 kilometres away to be exact. But in true Australian fashion, Josh Charlton was able to make it his home, as a part of the Oregon University Tennis Program. Charlton, in 2023, is competing as a senior, so with three years under his belt he is one of the more experienced players at the school. He made headlines last week, when it was discovered that he had broken the Oregon University Tennis Program’s combined wins record, setting a new benchmark of 184 combined wins. Charlton was able to set the new benchmark in a doubles match, alongside teammate Quinn Vandecasteele, defeating a University of Utah pair, 6-4. Speaking on the Duck Insider on the Oregon Sports Network with Joey Mac, Charlton was able to reflect on his college career. When climbing the ranks of tennis, it can be quite individualised, and Charlton spoke on how much changed when coming to college and having to compete as a team. “It’s completely individual, to actually come to college and to be in a team is quite special, but it definitely takes some adjusting mentality wise,” he said. “Putting the team before yourself is super important.” “It’s been a crazy journey, when they did the update to 184 I was like ‘wow, it’s a lot’.” “It’s been a good run, a long journey, so I was very happy to get there.” Charlton took the time to acknowledge that he was able to reach the record due to the help of his teammates, as the record includes both singles and doubles victories. “More than half of those wins, I’ve been with someone,” he said. “It hasn’t been a solo effort, it’s been a huge team effort. “Luckily enough I’ve had good doubles partners, good teammates, and a lot of credit goes to the boys I’m playing with, so a lot of respect to them.” Charlton has always backed himself throughout his tennis career, and he describes how he progressed from growing up in Traralgon to where he is today. “Growing up in Traralgon, Australia, small town, not many athletes come out of there,” he said. “Coming to the University of Oregon was a massive deal, I’m on the big stage. But I did always back myself.” His competitiveness has continued to rise from a young age, and he has used it to get to where he is today. “When I was younger as a freshman, I was tough to be around, like very competitive, didn’t like anything going against me and I didn’t really deal with it that well,” Charlton said. “I grew up in a very competitive household, dad was a tennis pro – he has always been my head tennis coach growing up, my sister is a great netballer … and she was always doing great things.” Growing up, Charlton built a very special connection with his parents. “There was always tough times and a few clashes and stuff like that naturally, but I’ve got a lot of respect for him (dad),” Charlton said. “Huge amounts of credit go to my parents. I’ve got a good contrast as well, with dad being so involved in tennis, and my mum never playing sports.” Charlton says he looks forward to the challenge that awaits when he leaves college and continues to pursue tennis. “It’s a lot of travel, I’m going to different continents every month so it’s definitely a grind but I look forward to the challenge,” he said. Days after breaking the combined wins record, Charlton became the first player in the program to win 100 doubles games, another incredible feat. With quite a hefty amount of games to play this season before he graduates, Charlton is likely to extend his record to higher heights before his college career comes to an end.
