AOTW: BOYS TENNIS: Mr. Tennis Brett Forman continues comeback trail
BY DAN STICKRADT
SENIOR EDITOR
dan.stickradt@northoaklandsports.com
Twitter: @LocalSportsFans
TROY — Coming back to the high school scene in 2011, Brett Forman had aspirations of being a repeat state champion.
Then a junior at Troy High, Forman’s aspirations were through the clouds at the time.
Those aspirations were quickly silenced when a reoccurring back and hip injury sidelined the talented tennis star for much longer than a few weeks. He ended up missing nearly a whole year of competitive tennis.
“It was hard not playing,” recalled Forman, now a senior at Troy High and only six months away from graduating. “I had to sit out a long time. I was so used to playing every day. Sitting out like that is nothing an athlete wants to do.”
COMEBACK KID: Troy’s Brett Forman accepted a scholarship trail and the 2012 Mr. Tennis award this past fall as part of his comeback story to the tennis courts. File Photo | Dan Stickradt
Fast forward to late 2012 and Foreman was named the 2012 Mr. Tennis by the Michigan High School Tennis Coaches’ Association (MHSTeCA). Although not at 100 percent quite yet, the three-time All-State First Team selection was chosen for the ward based on his stellar prep career, even though he missed one entire high school season and one winter of training.
Forman finished his high school career with a 77-8 record spanning his freshman, sophomore and senior seasons. After reaching the Division 1 state semifinals as a freshman with a 29-2 record, he stormed back his sophomore season to claim a 29-1 record and the D-1 No. 1 singles state title.
As a senior this fall, he finished 20-5 against stiff competition and made a return trip to the D-1 state semifinals.
“I thought I might have a chance (at Mr. Tennis), and I was very appreciative when I won the award,” admitted Forman. “I kept thinking about my injuries and rehab. I really had to work hard to make a comeback.”
Forman’s senior season was cut short by two matches of his goal when he lost in the state semifinals to Notre Dame-bound Ed Covalschi of Utica Eisenhower. The fellow senior only played two months of high school tennis and was only named to the All-State First Team despite winning the D-1 No. 1 singles state crown.
“I know it was more of a career award,” said Brian Miska, Troy’s head coach. “I know Brett had a great career and had he been full strength, he might have won a state title as a junior and senior. He’s such a talented young man.”
As a senior, Forman finished with a 20-5 record and won both the OAA Red Division league tournament title and Grosse Pointe South regional crown. He also finished first or second at several other tournaments this season. All of the losses during his prep career came against fellow Division I college players.
Forman signed in November with Michigan State and now is playing on the USTA indoor winter circuit with plenty of activity planned for the spring and summer outdoor circuits.
“It’s nice to be back playing (regularly). It was a long haul back,” he added. “I learned now to never take anything for granted in life. You never know when something bad might happen.”
Now, it’s less than a year before the next stage of his career takes place — on the collegiate level.
Currently, Forman has worked his way back to being ranked in the top five in the state for his age group by USTA. He is also top 25 for the Great Lakes region and top 250 nationally for his age group.
“I am looking forward to that challenge,” said Forman of playing on the college level. “I am slowly coming back, getting my strength back and working on my game.
“It’s nice to have (the coaches honor) you and your hard work,” continued Forman. “Now, I can continue to work hard for the next step (of my career).”
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