From different worlds, a perfect union
Duo is No. 1 doubles team for the unbeaten Arlington High boys' tennis team
Nishal Hindori is a relative newcomer in Arlington, arriving a year ago from his native Suriname. He first picked up a tennis racket at age 7, trying to follow in the footsteps of his father and grandfather, each of whom was a national tennis champion of the republic in northern South America. Hindori has worked with a private coach since he was a child.
Lindsay Southwick grew up in Arlington and started playing tennis casually with his mother at the Sun Valley Swim & Tennis Club in Lexington. He has been taking the game seriously for only three years, starting after his freshman season.
Two different paths, but the two share a common goal as the No. 1 doubles team for the unbeaten Arlington High boys' tennis team.
"In Suriname, there's no such thing as school teams," said Hindori.
"You have to hire a private coach. So I worked with my dad on the weekends and my coach during the week. Coming here was different. Being on the tennis team was great last year. This year, doubles was hard at first. I wanted to go back to singles because we weren't that good at doubles techniques. Once Lindsay and I got used to each other, it was much easier."
The two met last year. Hindori joined the team as a sophomore after his family moved here so he could study in the United States and his mother could finish her degree at Tufts University. After playing most of last season in the singles rotation, both Hindori and Southwick settled into a doubles partnership that has proven successful in their final high school season.
At first doubles, the unit is perfect with an 8-0 record.
Hindori is a junior, but he will graduate next month, one year ahead of schedule, after taking on a rigorous class schedule the past two years. A senior, Southwick will also graduate after four years on the tennis team and three years on the varsity soccer team.
John Cody, now in his 42d season coaching the Arlington boys' team, lauded the duo's unique friendship.
"They work really well together," said Cody. "Both played singles mostly last year, so this is their first real taste of doubles. They complement each other and play well off each other's strengths together. The biggest thing in doubles is you have to be your part ner's psychologist. Nishal and Lindsay work well together mentally, which is a big part of their success."
Southwick brings power and a strong serving game. Hindori has a solid forehand to challenge opponents and open up opportunities for Southwick.
Despite their cohesiveness, the pair's transition from singles to doubles was an adjustment.
"We don't have the classic doubles mindset in which you get to the net and win every point," said Southwick. "I hang back on the baselines and wait for the play to develop. Nishal plays similarly to me, and a lot of times he's comfortable hitting from the baseline. When we're both playing like that, with good strokes, we're a pretty good team. It did take some time to get there, though."
The duo's friendship off the court has translated into wins on the court.
"The hardest part about doubles is, when you miss a shot and lose your temper with yourself, to make sure your partner knows you're not mad at them," said Southwick.
"I tend to get annoyed with myself a lot when I'm not playing well, and I have to make sure Nishal knows it's not him at all. And if you're in a situation where you need to relax or loosen up, it's easier to do with someone you're friends with."
The two have played a pivotal role for a Spy Ponder squad that is 12-0 overall and 9-0 in the Greater Boston League. When Arlington pulled out a 3-2 league win over Cambridge Rindge & Latin earlier this season, its doubles teams secured two of the three points.
Juniors Tyler Gallan and Steve Jao are undefeated at No. 2 doubles. Freshman Matt Lipinski anchors the singles rotation, playing in the No. 1 spot, while his older brother, David, a senior captain, plays No. 2 singles. Senior captain Nick Jackson remains unbeaten with a 9-0 mark in the third singles slot.
Southwick is headed to Boston University or Washington University in St. Louis, where he plans to play tennis.
"They expected a lot from me when I took up tennis in Suriname," said Hindori, who plans to play tennis at the University of Massachusetts at Lowell.
"But then I moved here and had the experience of playing on a school team. It's very cool to have friends and teammates on the same team. Lindsay and I hang out, along with our other teammates, whenever we can. I love being a high-schooler with the same guys I play with."
Sapna Pathak can be reached at sportsgalsp@gmail.com.
