Reid English
March 21, 2008

When Jackson Martin was 8 years old, he began playing tennis because his family lived near the Salem Tennis & Swim Club.

"It was like in my back yard," he said. "I walked by and signed up for lessons. I didn't like it at first, but once I got older, I liked it more."

Now, if Martin isn't attending classes at Sprague High School or home, it's a good bet that he's practicing at the club.

"He was here an hour ago to work on his serves," said John DeVorss, an instructor at Salem Tennis & Swim Club. "And he'll be back tonight. He's here hitting balls more than any other kids. He has a great work ethic."

Continued improvement and that work ethic make Martin one of the top returning players in the Central Valley Conference this season. He was second to senior teammate Nick Wales last spring.

As a sophomore last season, Martin helped the Olympians win the OSAA Class 6A championship. He gained the singles quarterfinals before losing to the eventual third-place finisher.

Martin's goal of winning state this season might seem a long shot, considering defending champion Zhenya Pereverzin of Clackamas returns. But given Martin's determination and improvement, he shouldn't be counted out.

Martin, ranked No. 6 in the Pacific Northwest juniors for age 16 last summer, is bigger and stronger this season. He has grown from 5-foot-8 as a freshman to 6-0 and 145 pounds.

"It's helped that I have grown a lot in the last couple years," he said. "I started to lift weights last summer, and it's helped with my footwork."

Martin played in junior tournaments in California, Texas and Arizona last summer. But he said his highlight was playing in the state high school championships.

"Playing on the state championship team was cool," he said. "And playing as a freshman had a big effect on me because that was the first time against high school competition."

In describing his game, Martin said he is an aggressive baseliner who likes to attack.

"I like to have a chance to come to the net," he said. "At times, I serve really well."

DeVorss and Martin said improving mentally is a seasonlong goal.

"The mental part is everything," Martin said. "You can have the best shots and strokes, but if you don't have it mentally, that's where it counts. You have to believe in yourself. If you don't believe in yourself, you'll tense up and not hit the ball right."

DeVorss, a former player at Sprague and the University of Oregon, said Martin needs to grow as a player.

"As far as problem-solving after a bad hit or serve, he sometimes needs to step back and try to stay focused," DeVorss said.

"He controls points from the baseline. He's becoming a lot more aggressive. And he has a beautiful cross-court backhand."

Martin has made nice progress as a player since those early days when he might have enjoyed baseball more than tennis.

"I like the sport in general because it's challenging," he said. "It's something you can do all your life," he said. "You rely on yourself and not on your teammates.

Gary Wheeler, who coaches the Olympians along with his wife, Catherine Wheeler, said Martin makes few mistakes.

"He has great footwork and is solid with all his strokes," Gary Wheeler said.

Martin's mother, Ann, said tennis has become a major part of his life.

"He practices two to three hours a day," she said. "He loves it. He is driven by tennis. He would play all the time if he could."