The 2021 Senior Perspectives is the 16th in a series of annual collections. Senior captains and representatives of teams at Harvard have been invited to contribute viewpoints based on personal experience from both their senior seasons and full varsity careers at Harvard.
Neha Gupta
Hometown: Elk Grove, Calif.
Concentration: Economics
House Affiliation: Adams
Harvard women's tennis was so much more than I expected.
As an incoming freshman, I expected regular practices to improve my game and tough competition on weekends. However, I also gained lifelong friends and understood what it means to be a true teammate.
In my sophomore and junior year, I experienced injuries and felt a twinge of envy watching my teammates compete. As I cheered from the sidelines, I slowly realized that being a part of HWT does not mean playing your match on your court, but helping the team become the best version of themselves. The purpose of the competition, the coaches and the training was to help us become more kind and capable individuals, not just improve our forehand.
I witnessed kindness as upperclassmen went out of their way to provide valuable advice about classes, relationships, backhands and more. Through our training, we improved our discipline and determination, allowing us to be more capable individuals in all aspects of life.
I am incredibly grateful to be part of HWT. Being a part of this family has been one of the coolest experiences of my life.
