THE CLOSER

DANIEL WHITEHEAD KNOWS HOW TO GET THE JOB DONE

EVERYTHING CAME down to the No. 3 singles match. In order for Texas to defeat Michigan, Daniel Whitehead needed to beat Vlad Stefan, an opponent ranked some 15 places higher in the national polls. Tied 6-6 in the third set, Whitehead did what some deemed the impossible — he clinched the winning point.

The senior has become the unlikely hero for Texas tennis. At 5’9″ he’s not physically intimidating and his late start in …

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the sport set him up for a long game of catch-up. Whitehead showed potential in both baseball and golf, but tennis won him in junior high. “Elite junior players start when they’re six,” he explained, “so I was already way behind.”

Making up for lost time only pushed Whitehead to work harder, allowing him to develop his signature toughness while climbing both the junior and collegiate ranks. “He’s a fierce competitor,” senior teammate Ben Chen said. Chen and Whitehead started playing with — and against — each other more than 10 years ago. Today, they’re double partners.

“During his freshman year, his slogan about losing was, ‘Not a chance, not a chance.” Chen added. This mentality helped transform Whitehead from a relatively unknown recruit to a Division I player with a formidable reputation. When he first arrived on the 40 Acres,
Whitehead played sporadically at the No. 7 position. “When I was a freshman, I wasn’t sure if I belonged,” he said. But Texas’ win over Baylor — a match Whitehead didn’t even play in — changed his perspective about the team. The celebration and the bond between the players showed Whitehead what Texas tennis was truly about — family.

By his sophomore season, Whitehead found his place among his teammates. He led the team in singles wins that year and continues to serve as a top-three player for Longhorns.

“He learned how to believe in himself … it took time,” head coach Michael Center said.
In a sport obsessed with rankings, numbers can impact a player’s performance on the court. Whitehead, fortunately, learned early on how to escape the stats and play his own game. “I learned to play like a bigger guy,” he said. “Not just playing side to side and defending, but also getting comfortable attacking at the net.”

He rarely thinks about his ranking, let alone the ranking of his opponent, when he steps onto the court. His primary focus is winning. Whitehead’s transformation as a player also propelled him into a leadership position on the team. “He’s our team captain and an emotional leader,” Chen said. “Not only does he pump up our team in matches, he constantly supports us during practice and off the court.”

As a senior, Whitehead no longer questions if he belongs at Texas. His winning point against Michigan was the third time out of five matches that he clenched the win for Texas this season. His ability to pull Texas through has earned him the reputation as the team’s clutch player. “He’s seen the team through a lot of important situations,” Center added.

The Longhorns play against the top teams in the nation this season and Whitehead is the man Texas wants on the court when the big matches are on the line. “I’ve never seen him fail in a situation where he was one of the last guys left on the court,” Chen boasted. “He refuses to be denied.”

Ever the consummate captain, Whitehead feels comfortable when the match point is left
up to any of his teammates but does enjoy when he’s placed in high pressure situations. “I like that moment,” he said with a wry grin. “You need to want it. I’ve always liked the spotlight.”[/s2If]

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