University of Tennessee Athletics
Beyond the Courts: Joanna Henderson
November 25, 2014 | Women's Tennis
With the fall season completed, senior Joanna Henderson finished as one of the top players for the team heading into her final spring.
Henderson enjoyed an outstanding fall season. She defended her tournament championship for doubles in the Tennessee Fall Invite. She also advanced to the quarterfinals for singles and semifinals for doubles in the Ohio Valley Regional Championships.
She will look to keep the momentum going in January when the Lady Vols open the spring season in Las Vegas at a tournament hosted by UNLV.
With a break from tennis, Henderson took time to do a Q&A so fans could get to know a little more about her:
Q: Where are you from, and what is it like there?
A: "I am from Scotland. I was born in Edinburgh, and I spent most of my life in Aberdeen. It is obviously very different from Knoxville, but I love being at home. It is my favorite place to be. It is pretty cold and rains a lot there. It is a great place to be. It is very touristy with a lot of history."
Q: Do you have any siblings?
A: "I have a younger brother called Tom. He is 17 about to turn 18. He is in his last year at school. He plays a lot of rugby. He is actually in the Scottish schools tournament this weekend, and they are in the finals. They get to play at our national rugby stadium, which is not quite like Neyland, but it holds close to 60 thousand people. It is kind of a big deal for him."
Q: If you could go anywhere in the world, where would it be?
A: "I have been lucky enough to travel to a lot of nice places on holidays and vacations, but somewhere I have not been that I would like to go to would be Australia. My mom has spent some time there, and she says it is amazing. A lot of my friends have been there, too. If I had the opportunity, that would really be a place that I would like to go."
Q: What is one thing that most people don't know about you?
A: "I am terrified of cats. For instance, last night I came outside our house and had to call [Caitlyn Williams] down because she has become friends with a cat that lives near us. I literally could not leave because the cat was just staring at me. They just scare me. I know they are small and innocent, but I am terrified of them, and that won't change."
Q: What is your favorite kind of music?
A: "Since coming to the states, I have started listening to a lot of country music, which my friends back home hate. When my brother gets into my car, he always changes the CD."
Q: How did you end up playing tennis?
A: "My mom played a lot when she was younger. She got me into it at a local club. After that, it was a quick progression into taking it more seriously. I have played now for over 10 years. It is a big part of my life."
Q: What is your favorite sport besides tennis?
A: "I used to play net ball (field hockey) back home. Now, I love college football and the NFL. My dad is a huge college basketball fan. They are a lot of fun and fast paced. I have definitely become Americanized from those sports."
Q: Why did you choose Tennessee?
A: "When I came on my five school visits, UT was my last stop. It was the coaches, the team that was here at the time, the facilities. Everything fit for me. I liked how Knoxville was a nice college place but had more to offer outside of the college campus."
Q: What is your major?
A: "I am Supply Chain Management with a collateral in Human Resources. It has been challenging, but I have enjoyed it."
Q: Has college been what you expected it would be?
A: "When I came, I didn't know what to expect because I didn't grow up in this school system. I didn't know what I wanted to study. I also didn't realize how intense and seriously the athletics are taken. It is not like that back home. I have loved it, though."
Q: How often do you have homework?
A: "Most evenings. Recently, I have had a lot of group projects, which have been nightmares. Homework has always been a constant thing. I am glad the semester is almost over."
Q: How do you manage schoolwork and tennis?
A: "It is a lot of learning how to manage time. I try to do my work as soon as I get it to be ahead. Sometimes, you have to stay up late and get it done."
Q: What do you do in your spare time?
A: "I am quite a social person. I like to hang out with friends. I like to watch movies and go to the mall."
Q: What is your schedule like on the day of a match?
A: "If I was playing here on a Friday, I would go to class in the morning. I would hit before I play depending on how I feel. We get lunch here before we play. We listen to music while we get ready in the locker room. I like to put a new grip on my rackets before every match. Depending on how I feel, I may put a Lady Vol sticker on my face."
Q: Where have you improved the most since last season?
A: "Having the same team as last year gives me the opportunity to keep improving leadership wise. It gives me the chance to keep the team growing since it is the exact same team as last year. That has been a big thing. I have grown in confidence in that role. I am happier now with the upcoming season and how it is looking. From the personal aspect, I have the confidence. I also realize that I am a senior, and it is my last season. I want to make the most of the opportunities that I have."
Q: What is your goal for this season?
A: "As a team, we are hoping to make it to at least the Sweet 16 in NCAAs."
Q: If you could do one thing over in your career, what would it be?
A: "I wish I could relive our match against Auburn last year. I had that moment when you realize that all the hard work you had been through was for that moment. As a team, it was a big point for us. We were down 3-0, and it got dark. We started playing under the lights, and we came back to win. It was a moment that I will treasure forever."
Players Mentioned
