By Andrew Hornback

With a preseason Intercollegiate Tennis Association ranking of No. 12 in singles, University of Louisville tennis player Austen Childs has recorded the highest singles and doubles rankings in team history, before ever playing a match in his junior year.
“It is good to be ranked,” said Childs. “But I just try my best when I play, in every match, no matter the ranking.”
Childs’ No. 12 ranking broke the previous record of Michael Mather, who finished the 1998 season at No. 13.
“There is a difference in beginning and ending a season at 12 and 13,” said head coach Rex Ecarma. “But it isn’t a discredit to Austen at all, or to Michael. Austen’s ranking shows how highly the voters think of him, and how well he did his sophomore year.”
Mather, who will be inducted into the U of L Athletic Hall of Fame soon, became the first All-American tennis player at Louisville, when he finished as No. 13 in 1998.  He made an unannounced visit to a team practice last spring to meet Childs.
“It was funny, because Michael came up to Austen and asked if he was Austen Childs–the guy who was going to break all of his records,” said Ecarma.  “Austen, who is shy in general, looked at him and didn’t know what or how to respond really. But it shows just how much people think of Austen’s talent, when things that unexpected happen.”
Childs did indeed break one of Mather’s records by recording a No. 12 ranking, but will have to continue to have success on the court to solidify his spot in the all-time rankings at U of L. After his sophomore year, Childs recorded 53 singles victories, putting him on pace to finish second on the all-time singles wins list.
“It’s possible that he will get very high on the list,” said Ecarma. “He will have to play his best. Skillwise, he is more athletic and bigger than Mather was, but Mather had a world-class return of service ability, as he showed many times. If Austen can do what Mather did, and go 23-0 in match play, it would be very significant.”
If Childs keeps up with his current pace, one of the players he will pass on the all-time wins list, besides Mather, is his coach.
“Austen is a better player than I was,” said Ecarma. “I know he could beat me. He has more all-around skills than I did.I was known for my ability to close out tough matches. That’s something Austen is still working on. He’s had a lot of success, but if he can just close the gap in the bigger matches, he can be really special.”
The NCAA Tournament, for both singles and doubles, has mirrored some of Ecarma’s thoughts regarding Childs’ inability to close big matches. Childs qualified for both tournaments last year, and lost in the first round of each.
“I haven’t done well in those [NCAA] tournaments,” said Childs. “But I gained experience. I have played well in some big matches, like Notre Dame, and then the Big East tournament. I just have to keep working hard and play my best in those tournaments.”
Coach Ecarma has faith that Childs can achieve on this level.
“Austen can definitely succeed in those events,” said Ecarma. “It just comes with experience. Mather was a dark horse to win the tournament in ‘98, when he made it to the Sweet 16. Austen could finish the season in the Top 20, or make the Sweet 16 and become an All-American. He has the ability.”
Childs began the Fall season over the weekend competing in the Virginia Ranked Plus One Invitational.
In singles, Childs fell to Virginia Tech’s Sebastian Jacques in the first round of the ‘A-3′ tournament, 5-7, 6-4, 6-4.
In doubles, Childs, along with teammate Simon Childs, teamed to win the ‘A-2′ doubles bracket, the second straight year the duo has won the event.
Childs and Childs are currently ranked No. 10 in the ITA rankings, and could move up with their tournament victory over the weekend.
“I believe this is the first sign of the season from a strong run to be number one in the country”, Ecarma said.
Childs will continue the fall season next Monday, Oct. 5 at the All-American Invitational in Tulsa, Oklahoma, where he will compete against other Top 25 players in the country.