College graduation typically sets off celebrations with family and friends, travel and the packing and unpacking of four years of memories during a gradual transition into the "real world." But for Brian Vahaly, post-graduation life has been anything but typical.
Former Virginia tennis standout Vahaly turned pro upon his commencement from the Commerce School in 2001, and began to add an impressive list of accomplishments to his exceptional collegiate tennis career.
Most recently, Vahaly distinguished himself among Virginia alumni by qualifying to play at the Championships at Wimbledon in early July. Vahaly won two of three qualifying matches to compete against 58th ranked Russian Mikhail Youzhny. Vahaly lost in that round, 6-3, 1-6, 6-3, 6-2, but Youzhny advanced to the fourth round before being kicked out by Lleyton Hewitt, the eventual champion of the Gentleman's competition.
Despite the loss, Vahaly was the only collegiate player of 2001 to compete at Wimbledon this year, and was named the United States Tennis Association Circuit Player of the Week twice this year.
The jump from college to the pros has not been as easy as he might make it seem. "It was a big adjustment moving from the college level to the pros," Vahaly said. Just because "you are good in college does not necessarily mean you will be good in the pros."
"Good" is an understatement about Vahaly's Virginia career. During his time as a member of the men's tennis team, he earned All-American recognition three times and ACC honors four times. He advanced to the NCAA singles championships, farther than any other Cavalier student-athlete, and was named the University's top male athlete of the year in 2001 as a senior.
It didn't take long for that success to spill into his pro career. Vahaly quickly achieved notoriety as an up-and-coming player as evidenced by his defeat of Michael Chang and five Future Tournament wins.
Vahaly is currently ranked 135th, far surpassing any of his own expectations, which were modestly set to rank in the 400s initially, then the 200s within two years.
To what, then, can Vahaly attribute his rapid success? Virginia men's tennis coach Brian Boland believes that Vahaly's success on the court comes mostly from his character.
"Vahaly has the mental toughness, stamina, strong-will and determination," to succeed, Boland said. "He has the ability to balance everything in his life, which has helped him tremendously with the grind of the professional tour."
Indeed, Vahaly's former coach has much to be proud of, as his graduated star has become a poster boy for the Virginia program.
"I know that coach Boland has a great program set up for the tennis team and I plan to take part in that as a way to give back to U.Va.," Vahaly said.
Vahaly will even admit that it was hard for him to leave Virginia and join the grueling professional tour.
"It is tough on the road," he said. "It was a big change, because I was never used to focusing solely on tennis. But I am able to make the most of my time on the tour by seeing all the sites and cities."
Vahaly also takes advantage of being surrounded by the world's greatest tennis players while on the tour. While in Palm Springs, he was able to train with Pete Sampras twice a day in practice sets.
"I was able to learn a lot by being able to pick his brain and gain tips, ideas and knowledge that would improve my game," Vahaly said.
Where does a young player take such early success?
"I am still new at the pro level," Vahaly said. "But I do hope to break into the top 50. I would love to live the life I have always dreamed of."
Between academic and athletic success, Vahaly's life may already seem like a dream come true.
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