ZACH Bost doesn’t downplay the importance of this summer on his promising tennis career.
In fact, he’s embracing it.
“This is a big summer,” the Jefferson High School standout said. “It’s a big summer that I’ve been working for so hard for my whole life pretty much.”
The college recruiting process has started in earnest for Bost. With college coaches now able to contact rising high school seniors (that period started July 1), the Dragon star is out to boost both his regional and national rankings – starting this summer – to draw the attention of Division I schools.
Bost ranks 39th in the Southeast in the boys’ 18s division. He said his goal is to eventually crack the top 10 in the South and top 50 in the nation, both of which he believes are very reachable targets.
“I should be able to get there by January or February,” said Bost, who hasn’t lost a high school tennis match since his freshman season.
Bost – who’s ranked no. 5 in the Georgia 18s – pointed out that he just started playing in the 18s division and is already ranked no. 39 in the South.
“This is my first year, and all the other 18-year-olds, this is their second year,” Bost said. “And so, whenever you get that second year, that’s when your ranking moves up a lot.”
It’s an exciting time for both Bost and his family. Bost’s father, Zeb, who introduced Zach to the sport as an 8-year-old, has watched his son grow into one of the best prep tennis players in the state and this part of the country.
“It’s nerve-racking as a parent,” Zeb said. “But I know where he came from and so to see how he’s playing now, it’s very, very exciting.”
Bost is coming off an appearance in the elite USTA National Open in Kentucky over the weekend. Bost also has a big regional-national tournament this weekend in Mobile, Ala.
He hopes to earn a spot in the National Clay Courts (the biggest youth clay court tournament in the U.S.) later this summer in Ft. Lauderdale, as well as the coveted Kalamazoo (Mich.) Super National Hard Courts. Bost played in that event last year and hopes to return this August.
“I’m really excited,” Bost said. “Hopefully, I can get into hard courts because it’s a great experience to go up there to Kalamazoo and play against all the top players in the nation.”
When he’s not playing in high-profile tournaments in hopes of increasing his status, Bost is practicing – a lot.
Bost drives an hour to Norcross for 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. workouts daily at the exclusive Murphy Payne Tennis Academy. Bost changed coaches five months ago (to Payne) to allow for more personalized instruction. So exclusive is Payne’s academy that Bost only trains with a few other players.
“It’s really more of a smaller academy, so there’s more one-on-one time and there’s more court space that you have to yourself,” Bost explained. “So it’s me and a couple of other really good players.”
Payne raves about Bost’s potential.
“The guy has got all the talent God can give somebody,” Payne said.
Payne – once a highly-ranked junior player and former a college player at Florida State –points to Bost’s huge serve – which can reach 130 mph – and mobility for a player with a 6’2” frame.
“Usually big, tall people can’t move,” Payne explained. “He can move.”
With Bost’s ability to hold serve, he can control points against almost anyone he plays, which makes him very tough to beat. Payne expects big things out of Bost, who he believes can play tennis for another 15 years between the college and pro levels. The instructor said the next year will be big for Bost in terms of improving his ranking.
“This next year, he has a good shot of doing something special at the national level,” Payne said.
With college already on his mind, Bost has a list of a handful of schools – mostly in the SEC – he’s interested in attending. They include Georgia, Clemson, Mississippi State, Auburn, Alabama and Wofford.
The Bost household is eager to see who comes calling now that coaches have the green light to contact prospects. The sentimental favorite is Clemson. Bost’s father graduated from Clemson, and the younger Bost grew up wanting to be a Tiger. Bost said his dad has taken him to Clemson football games over the years. Bost is often seen wearing a Clemson cap during some of his matches.
“I’ve always been a big fan of Clemson,” he said. “I’ve always wanted to get there since I was a little kid.”
And will dad be pulling for that happen?
“Absolutely,” Zeb Bost said. “I sure will.”
But the elder Bost said the main thing is for Zach to find a place where he’s comfortable.
“The biggest thing is that he fits in well with the coach,” Zeb said.
For now, Bost is focused on what he can do to become the very best prospect he can be. Bost knows the weaknesses in his own game that he must fix to have a successful career. Sure, he could strengthen his backhand a little, he says, but it’s the mind game of tennis that Bost most wants to master.
“There’s little things, but what I really need to work on is just my mental game on the court,” Bost said. “Sometimes, I’ll get mad and just sort of break down and I really got to work on being stronger mentally on the court and not getting too down on myself.”
It’s what separates the good from the best.
“Yeah, I’ve gotten a lot better at it, but it still needs to get better (for my game) to be at that top level,” Bost said.
NOTES: Bost and doubles partner Andrew Goodwin lost in the semifinals of the National Open in Lexington in boys’ 18 doubles over the weekend. They won the third and fourth-place match by default. Bost and Goodwin fell in the finals to a tandem of players headed to major Division I programs – one to Tennessee, the other to Georgia.
Prior to the finals, Bost and Goodwin beat doubles teams from Arizona, Florida and Ohio.
