Photo by: Submitted photo
Life as a Mountaineer – Christina Jordan
October 21, 2019 08:33 AM | Tennis
Psychology has become Christina Jordan's focus since she became fully aware of her brothers Christopher's and Christian's special needs.
The West Virginia University senior women's tennis player explains.
"My brothers were diagnosed with mental disabilities and that was just tough for my family and me," she says. "I felt like I couldn't really understand what exactly was wrong with them or why this was happening. It really motivated me to shift my focus to psychology and I even took up normal psychology to help me understand them better – why they were having these problems and why these things were happening to them.
"It just really impacted my life a lot and now I'm focused on trying to find out ways to help them and to help them progress because they are progressing a lot better," she added. "That was the main reason why I switched to psychology. I love them very much and I'm so glad that they're working on getting better and doing everything that they can."
Jordan's college tennis career is progressing nicely, despite missing last week's successful Martha Thorn Invitational because of an injury.
Her teammates swept Navy in singles play on Sunday and will now prepare for ITA Atlantic Regionals beginning this Friday in Blacksburg, Virginia.
The West Bloomfield, Michigan, resident says her personal growth has expanded beyond the court as well.
"I struggled my sophomore and junior years a little bit, but from being a freshman I think I've grown in the sense of accountability, responsibility and communication overall," she says. "When I was a freshman I didn't talk much and now I'm like talking all the time. I think I've improved a lot."
She says a recent meeting with Venus Williams through her high school coach Jaime Onchins helped get her mind in the right place heading into her senior season at WVU.
"He called me and he was like, 'I have a surprise.' Venus asked if I would like to come down (to The Greenbrier) and be her hitting partner. I literally like dropped my phone and that was amazing," Jordan said. " She told me that I just really need to be myself and if this is something I want to do then I have to be fully committed to it.
"She said, 'No one can do that for you – you have to do it for yourself.' She also told me (the professional) level is not that far away or unattainable as it seems. If you really work hard and do the right things you can get to that level or get to your highest level."
So Christina has made up her mind to just go out and play her best tennis this year and not worry about anything else.
"I've always been putting that added pressure on myself to live up to the expectations of not only myself, but everyone else. This year I'm playing for me, my team and everyone around me," she concluded.
This week's Life as a Mountaineer was produced by Scott Bartlett and is presented by WVU Medicine.
The West Virginia University senior women's tennis player explains.
"My brothers were diagnosed with mental disabilities and that was just tough for my family and me," she says. "I felt like I couldn't really understand what exactly was wrong with them or why this was happening. It really motivated me to shift my focus to psychology and I even took up normal psychology to help me understand them better – why they were having these problems and why these things were happening to them.
"It just really impacted my life a lot and now I'm focused on trying to find out ways to help them and to help them progress because they are progressing a lot better," she added. "That was the main reason why I switched to psychology. I love them very much and I'm so glad that they're working on getting better and doing everything that they can."
Jordan's college tennis career is progressing nicely, despite missing last week's successful Martha Thorn Invitational because of an injury.
Her teammates swept Navy in singles play on Sunday and will now prepare for ITA Atlantic Regionals beginning this Friday in Blacksburg, Virginia.
The West Bloomfield, Michigan, resident says her personal growth has expanded beyond the court as well.
"I struggled my sophomore and junior years a little bit, but from being a freshman I think I've grown in the sense of accountability, responsibility and communication overall," she says. "When I was a freshman I didn't talk much and now I'm like talking all the time. I think I've improved a lot."
She says a recent meeting with Venus Williams through her high school coach Jaime Onchins helped get her mind in the right place heading into her senior season at WVU.
"He called me and he was like, 'I have a surprise.' Venus asked if I would like to come down (to The Greenbrier) and be her hitting partner. I literally like dropped my phone and that was amazing," Jordan said. " She told me that I just really need to be myself and if this is something I want to do then I have to be fully committed to it.
"She said, 'No one can do that for you – you have to do it for yourself.' She also told me (the professional) level is not that far away or unattainable as it seems. If you really work hard and do the right things you can get to that level or get to your highest level."
So Christina has made up her mind to just go out and play her best tennis this year and not worry about anything else.
"I've always been putting that added pressure on myself to live up to the expectations of not only myself, but everyone else. This year I'm playing for me, my team and everyone around me," she concluded.
This week's Life as a Mountaineer was produced by Scott Bartlett and is presented by WVU Medicine.
Players Mentioned
RH
/ TennisWVU Tennis Senior Day 2025
Tuesday, April 08
TEN: West Virginia Defeats Toledo, Temple
Monday, February 17
TEN: West Virginia Sweeps Cleveland State, Mount St. Mary's
Tuesday, February 11
2025 Tennis Hype Video
Wednesday, January 15
