When I look at these kids on the court I see myself. Kids see me and can identify with their doing because I was once in their shoes. Now they believe in themselves and I’ve instilled hope. I would like to introduce myself: Eric “EJ" Jackson. I am a native of Los Angeles, California; I relocated to Atlanta in 1992. I started playing tennis when I was four years old. And I was talented, but even with talent, I needed constant attention and coaching to lead me on the way. And there were several people who helped me to reach my goal. I had several wonderful coaches, from Richard Williams, Rick Davison (former Georgia Tech coach), Nick Saviano (former USTA national coach, and Norman Wilkerson just to name a few, who did everything tennis-wise for me: taught me, corrected me, and arranged transportation and support when I needed it.  My parents were totally in my corner, offering encouragement and open-ended support for me as my tennis career grew. Later on, there were people who helped me beyond tennis: I had academic support from a college professor who helped me score well on the SAT and ACT.

As my tennis took a more serious bent, I started playing tournaments on a weekly basis, around Atlanta and beyond.  Again, support and encouragement from those around me helped me immensely with the pressure I put on myself to play well and win.  Tennis represented me and who I was. Throughout high school, I played my junior tennis career in Atlanta. As a junior player, I was ranked #1 in Georgia ages 12-14’s, #1 in GA doubles ages 12-18’s, Top 5 in GA singles/doubles ages 16-18’s. Selected to Challenge Cup in 12’s. In 1993 became GTA Player of the Year and won Junior Davis Cup for GA ages 12-18’s. Also, I won team Zonals for Southern section ages 12-14’s. My highest achievements were being ranked #9 in the nation in 14’s, a finalist of the Boys 14’s Clay Court Nationals, USTA 14’s Hard Court Doubles Finalist and selected to the US National Team to represent the U.S. in Japan at an ITF event.

I also finished 3rd place at the Boy’s 16’s USTA National Indoor (lost to James Blake in semi’s), 1995 -1996 finished 3rd place Intersectional representing Southern age’s 16-18’s. Selected as an ALL-High School Elite top 8 player in GA and competed at Kalamazoo ages 16-18’s, lost in doubles semi-finals. I became top 5 in the nation in doubles and top 30 in the nation in singles from ages 12-18’s.