Harvard's Bright Star Goes Big Time

Let the record show that one Erika Robin deLone was enrolled at Harvard University as a first-year student for the 1991-92 academic year.

The aforementioned deLone ate at the Union, lived in Weld South and took Ec-10 unit tests.

And let us not forget that she was a member of the Harvard women's tennis team.

In early May, deLone announced her intention to leave Harvard and follow a professional tennis career.

While some criticized the wisdom of her choice, no one doubts that Erika deLone's talent could propel her to a successful professional tennis career.

Indeed, if deLone ever becomes known around the country (an possibly the world) for her punishing baseline tennis game, her year at Harvard might well be the subject of sports trivia questions or Bud Collins' anecdotes.

On the other hand, deLone's pro career, which began just after she lost in the qurterfinals of the NCAA individual championships last week, may never take off. She may just become one of the hundreds who never make it.

Either way, Harvard will always remember her as one of the most dominant athletes to represent this institution in a long time.

For her exceptional play, her teammates named her Most Valuable Player.

The Intercollegiate Tennis Coaches Association (ITCA) recognized deLone as the Northeast Player of the Year.

Let's just tack on Harvard Crimson Rookie of the Year for good measure.

Undefeated Romp

DeLone, who played at number one all year, compiled an incredible 32-4 singles record during the regular season (The 32 wins was a first for Harvard women's tennis). And her undefeated romp through the Ivies was instrumental in returning the Ancient Eight crown to Cambridge this year.

But everyone involved with Harvard tennis will tell you that this frosh phenom contributed much more than wins to the Crimson.

DeLone--who has practiced and competed alone for most of her tennis career--is the consummate team player. During her much-hyped year at Harvard, she never became the prima donna someone of her talent easily could have been.

Instead, the freshman served as a motivator and a leader, a sparkling example of quality tennis and sportsmanship for the entire Harvard squad.

If deLone let her success go to her head, she doesn't show it. The freshman talks quietly about herself and downplays many of her accomplishments.

For example, deLone sees nothing special about the fact that she gave up the French Open this year to participate in the Crimson's spring break trip to California.

"There was no way I wanted to leave the team," deLone says, "It never even crossed my mind."

She refuses to boast that she can be number one in the world, preferring the tactful response instead: "If I can get up to 20 in the world, I'd be very satisfied."

DeLone freely admits that it's always been her dream to become a professional tennis star. But at age five, she took up the sport for slightly different reasons--to model herself after her older sister, Amy deLone '91, now on the procircuit herself.

"I always wanted to do everything she wanted to do," deLone says. "She was more talented than I was, but I always worked harder because I wanted to catch up with her."

The younger sister began playing in local tournaments when she was seven, and around the nation two years later.

Practicing during the winter at country clubs near her home in Lincoln, Mass., deLone spent her summers traveling on the junior circuit and quickly established herself as one of the most promising young players in the country.

At age 13, deLone began spending her summers at the famed Nick Bollettieri Tennis Camp in Bradenton, Fla., further refining her game with intensive training and tournament schedules.

"I started out in really small tournaments," deLone says, "and then I just kept trying to move up. It is a very slow process."

Blossoming Tennis Player

By the middle of high school, deLone began to blossom as a tennis player. She spent her junior year in Florida in order to train at Bollettieri's camp on a regular basis. As a senior, she made her first stab at international tennis, touring the world as a member of the United States Junior National team.

The sturdy, blond-haired athlete took the year off after graduation to play on the "senior" professional circuit. She refused all prize money beyond travelling expenses to maintain her amateur status.

She played in all the biggies. The Australian Open. The French Open. Wimbledon. The U.S. Open.

DeLone never advanced past the second round of any of the Grand Slam events, but she did well enough to earn a ranking of 95th in the world.

With Top-100 status, deLone could have easily gone professional, and made a comfortable living for 19-year-old.

But she chose Harvard instead. A decision not every-body agreed with.

"Some [players on the professional tour] said, 'You have a chance to go to Harvard. Don't pass it up,'" deLone says. "Other people thought I was absolutely crazy to enroll."

What deLone gained by coming was obvious: a toprate college education and a chance to meet a diverse group of young people.

What she left behind was equally substantial: a lot of tennis training and tournament experience.

"I had a really tough time making that decision," deLone recalls. "By the time August came around before school, I was so excited that I forgot about what I was leaving behind."

At Harvard, deLone tried to balance academics, college tennis and professional tennis. A balance she says she was unable to maintain.

"I was difficult to juggle [the three]," the frosh says.

Still, she says she is glad she came to Harvard.

"I'll never forget it," says deLone. "I'm really happy with my decision and I'm excited to go, but right now I'm extremely sad."

So is Harvard.