The Jewish Link of New Jersey and Gotham Burger would like to recognize 23-year-old Galila Shapiro as this week’s Sportstar of the Week. The Englewood native and captain of the Yeshiva University College for Women’s tennis team has played a very impressive four years of tennis at Yeshiva University, winning sixteen singles and twenty doubles matches.
Galila, congrats on an amazing tennis career at Yeshiva University. I am sure you have had many positive influences in your life, who would you say is your role model?
I don’t have one in particular. Some of my science professors (I’m a biology major) are really incredible women who’ve made amazing careers in, and contributions to, science. What they have in common is that they didn’t set limits for themselves or settle for what was easy. They’ve really inspired me—those are the type of people I try to emulate.
Who is your favorite professional athlete?
I have to say Roger Federer, because watching him growing up is what really got me interested in tennis. Especially when he was at the top of the game, he always played so gracefully and effortlessly, it sometimes seemed like magic.
Do you have a pregame routine?
I’ll usually spend the ride to a match in the back of the bus listening to music. I like to shut everything else out, and use the time to get relaxed. That way when I get on the court, as captain, I can put on a calm, confident face for the team.
What is your earliest sports memory?
Going to Yankee games with my dad and brothers.
What is the funniest thing that ever happened to you while playing tennis?
I was playing tennis with my brother, and I don’t know how it happened, I must have taken a really wild swing, but I hit myself in the face with my tennis racket. My nose started bleeding all over the court, but it was so ridiculous that my brother and I couldn’t stop laughing.
What is your favorite sports memory?
Finishing in second place in our conference this year (our best finish in a very long time), was like the cherry on top of four great years playing for Stern. It was so good to see all the team’s hard work pay off and I know our coaches, Naomi Kaszovits and Danielle Carr, were very proud.
What are your favorite things to do when not playing tennis?
I love reading books. That’s what I miss most when things get very busy with school and tennis, is reading books for pleasure.
What is the best thing about being a sportstar?
It’s such a treat just to be able to play tennis every day. No matter what exams or other commitments I might have, I get to take off two hours every day, turn off my phone and just play. It’s really so much fun!
The Gotham Burger Sportstar of the Week will receive a $10 gift certificate to Gotham Burger. Please send nominees for next week’s Gotham Burger Sportstar of the Week to [email protected]
