The 2022 Senior Perspectives is the 17th 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.

Brian Shi
Hometown: Jericho, N.Y.
Concentration: Economics
House Affiliation: Adams

Stepping foot into Harvard Yard a few short years ago was both intoxicating and terrifying. Especially as a recruited athlete, I didn't know if I was going fit in with my fellow classmates – some of the most intelligent people in the world – if I was going to be able to get enough sleep, or if I was even going to pass any of my classes. But now as I reflect back on my last four years as a student-athlete, I know that if the 18-year-old version of myself could see the person he would soon become, he'd be so unbelievably proud. And that's all because of the Harvard men's tennis program. As a freshman, the nerves and anxieties of college were all abated by the more experienced upperclassmen on the team. Soon enough, I quickly realized that my teammates would be some of my best friends on campus and in my life.

Through the good times and the bad, my teammates had my back and whenever I was struggling with school, tennis or just life, I knew I could go to them for help. It was the mentorship and warmth that past HMT members provided me that shaped the type of teammate I strived to be as a senior captain. I knew that if I was able to provide even a sliver of the kindness that these past teammates were able to show me as a freshman, I know I'd have done my job. We on HMT have a saying: "leave the jersey in a better place than you found it."

These last four years haven't been easy. From injuries, a global pandemic and unrealistic self-expectations, there were many times where I thought that I just wasn't cut out for Harvard or for college tennis. But I wouldn't have traded those moments for anything, because it was those moments of self-doubt that shaped me into the confident man I am today – and what made the good moments that much sweeter. As I soon put up the rackets for the very last time in my life, I'll walk away proud. Proud of the person I've become, proud of all that I've achieved and proud for never giving up.

To my teammates, both current and past: Thank you for always being there for me when I needed you most. For tolerating my pretty awful jokes and my locker room shenanigans. Thank you for putting your faith in me as a leader and as a friend.

To Coach Rueb and Coach Sanam: Thank you for always pushing me to become the best version of myself, both as a tennis player and as a person. Thank you for betting on the awkward 17-year-old, short-tempered high-schooler and for always believing in me, especially when I probably didn't deserve it. It was your continuous encouragement that helped me find joy in tennis again as a freshman and what continues to motivate me today as I approach the next chapter of my life. Above all, thank you for putting up with all my BS these last four years – I know I haven't been easy to deal with.

For future generations of Harvard students and HMT members that may be reading this, cherish every single moment – both the good and the bad – because it's these moments that you'll forever remember to be some of the best of your lives.