Dec. 30, 2014
THE FLATS – A left-handed player signed with Tech in the spring of 2014 out of the Stephen Diaz Tennis Academy, Elijah Melendez was ranked 132nd in the nation by the Tennis Recruiting Network, and No. 45 in the USTA Southern Section, and is an excellent doubles player.
Melendez won a doubles title (Murfeesboro, Tenn.) and a singles title (Tuscaloosa, Ala.) in an ITA Summer Circuit events over the summer, and this fall won the B division doubles draw with Daniel Yun in the Georgia Tech Fall Invitational.
The youngest of three children, Melendez plays the drums and has played tennis since the age of 8.
Roommate: Cole Fiegel, Daniel Yun, Carlos Benito, Nathan Rakitt, and Christopher Eubanks
Interests: drums, football, ultimate frisbee, working out
Three Words That Describe Me: hard-working, out-going, real
Favorite Food: sweet potato
Favorite Late Night Snack: Nutella
Meal I Prepare Often: spaghetti
Favorite Spot On Campus: CRC
Favorite Childhood Activity: tennis
Favorite TV Channel: FX
Moment in History I’d Like to have Witnessed: seeing Jesus rise again
Celebrity Crush: Jennifer Garner
Biggest Fear: snakes
Job I’d Like Outside Tennis: business for a Fortune 500 company
Favorite Sports Movie: Remember the Titans
Favorite Non-Sports Movie: Lord of the Rings (all of them)
Best Sports Talent Besides Tennis: football
Favorite Pro Athlete: Roger Federer
Favorite Pro Team: New England Patriots
Favorite Georgia Tech Sport To Watch: women’s tennis
Most Memorable Sports Moment: winning Southerns Doubles with Michael Kay
Pre-game Ritual: listening to music
My Focus This Summer: internship with a company
Favorite Coach Thorne Phrase: “From the ground up”
What I Like Most About Georgia Tech: The academics and athletic programs give me some of the best opportunities once I graduate to do what I want.
