March 11, 2015
Gonzales Austin did not come to Vanderbilt University with the intention of setting multiple school records.
Like most collegiate student-athletes, “AJ” Austin came to school with the intentions of giving his all and hoping to help his team improve. With thoughts of records aside, the Miami native jumped into the fold his freshman year — not realizing what sort of mark he would leave four years later.
“I didn’t come into Vanderbilt with a great deal of expectations in terms of record breaking,” he said. “I just wanted to help the team get back to a level of success we haven’t seen in a while. That was really the only driving force.”
Before his senior season arrived, Austin had already written himself into the Vanderbilt record books two times. And, on Sunday, he emphatically stamped his name into Commodore history with his 100th career singles victory.
Set by Bobby Reynolds 12 years ago, the two-time All-American established the Vanderbilt career singles win record with 99 wins in just three years (2000-2003). Last Sunday AJ, for the third time in his career, etched his name once more into Vanderbilt history, taking Reynolds’ record with a 7-6(5), 6-2 victory over Ball State’s Lucas Andersen.
“I had some sense of how close I was,” he said, “but I thought I might reach the record towards the end of the season or possibly in the postseason. It wasn’t something I thought about all year until I heard I was around 97 or 98.”
Austin was already in the record book twice. He teamed up with Ryan Lipman in April of 2013, and by the time Lipman graduated in 2014 the duo owned the Vanderbilt doubles record for career (36) and single season (30) wins — an impressive feat, which garnered the tandem All-American status.
Known throughout college tennis for his humility and sportsmanship, Austin is proud of his success, but still feels his accomplishment is not comparable to that of Reynolds’.
“I’m extremely happy to have this level success during my time at Vanderbilt, but honestly I’m just excited to be in the conversation with a player like Bobby Reynolds,” he said. “Also, if Ryan Lipman was healthier during his time as a player here he would have easily passed the 100-win mark as well, so I’m just lucky to have had the opportunity to be around athletes of that caliber to help my game evolve.”
With multiple records established, credentials as an All-American in singles and doubles, runner-up at the National Indoor Intercollegiate Tennis Championship and a No. 1 ranking in the country with two separate doubles partners, one might wonder what’s next for the senior. But Austin goes back to his humble roots and love for his team.
“I’m focused on the same thing I was focused on before I thought about the records, and that’s winning an SEC title,” he said. “Moving forward I’m just going to continue to work hard to give my team the best chance of winning every day. After the season is over I’ll think about my personal goals.”