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Pat Pauley with her 3.5 Senior team.
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Pat Pauley of Bellevue, Wash. currently plays on 3.5 Senior and 3.5 Adult teams and is a former captain of both teams. She is a dentist and also a local radio host in addition to playing tennis five times a week. She has been named the USTA Captain of the Month for October.
USTA.com: What teams have you been captain of?
Pat Pauley: I am not currently a captain any more, although I do play on two teams, a 3.5 Senior and a 3.5 Adult. I have been captain of 3.5 Adult and 3.5 Senior teams. I started about five years ago.
USTA.com: How did you start playing tennis? Why do you love playing?
Pat Pauley: I didn’t start playing tennis until my mid-30s and I started playing at the Bellevue Club in Washington. I started playing when I lived in Maryland but I didn’t belong to a USTA league until I moved to Bellevue, then I got on teams at the Bellevue Club. I was drawn to it because I was so bad at it and it took me awhile to be a basic player and I think one of the things about tennis that is really good, it is one of the few sports that is a bit competitive and easy for adults to be involved with, because it only takes two or four players. It is really hard to get into other sports on a regular basis. I like the regularity, the competition, camaraderie and I have gotten to know a lot of wonderful gals playing tennis. I play about five times a week now.
USTA.com: How did you start captaining?
Pat Pauley: I started when another captain quit and it was either be the captain or not have a team.
USTA.com: Why do you enjoy being a captain?
Pat Pauley: I like the camaraderie of the team.
USTA.com: What is the best aspect of playing USTA League tennis?
Pat Pauley: It helps you make a commitment to get out and get some exercise with friends and competitors.
USTA.com: Who is your favorite tennis player?
Pat Pauley: Serena Williams
USTA.com: What is your favorite surface to play on?
Pat Pauley: Hard Courts--though I enjoy playing on grass and clay in Palm Desert.
USTA.com: What kind of racquet do you use?
Pat Pauley: Head, Wilson
USTA.com: What is your favorite tennis tournament and why?
Pat Pauley: The BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells. It is a nice time and place to vacation there, plus watch a lot of good tennis. Many of the clubs in the area will also allow you to play in their groups.
USTA.com: What is your favorite professional sports team, if any?
Pat Pauley: I love the University of Washington Huskies, but they are a college team, not professional.
USTA.com: What is the best part of your tennis game?
Pat Pauley: The best part of my game is my serve. I am left handed and I'm always working on getting more power and different kinds of spin on it.
USTA.com: If you could choose any doubles partner, who would it be?
Pat Pauley: Serena Williams, of course.
USTA.com: If you could attend one Grand Slam tournament, what would it be and why?
Pat Pauley: The Australian Open. I haven't been to Australia, but I was the official dentist for the Australian Navy while they were building some ships at Puget Sound Shipyards. The guys were very colorful and had lots of stories about Australia.