Vineland's Anuj Patel opening eyes

• Anuj Patel has a 26-0 record this season, and only one loss in his career

When first meeting Anuj Patel, he doesn’t exude the confidence that a player with a 26-0 record normally would.

But entering last Wednesday’s Cumberland County boys’ tennis tournament, one wouldn’t blame the sophomore without a loss in over a calendar-year to gloat a little.

“It’s crazy,” Patel said of his undefeated streak before playing in last week’s Cumberland County Championships. “Last year I had a pretty good record. I wasn’t really expecting to come in at 20-0 but now that it’s happening, it’s pretty cool.”

The term “pretty good” doesn’t do justice to what Patel did in his freshman campaign. As Vineland’s third singles player, he went 17-1.

It’s gotten to the point where his head coach, Vince Luciano, enters every match with the mindset that his squad is already leading. That’s how automatic Patel has been.

“It’s a great feeling to have as a coach,” Luciano said. “If you ask the team I’ve told them a couple of times that we’re going in there up 1-0.”

Before getting to high school and dominating, Patel knew it was going to happen, and even had a taste of what it would be like by way of his two older brothers Rahi and Dhruv, each playing for Vineland. Anuj would come out to watch his brothers practice and play in matches for the legendary coach Harry Silverstein.

Luciano was there as well, and even then knew Anuj would be something special.

“I coached both of his brothers as an assistant coach with Mr. Silverstein. I knew his family going in and I knew who Anuj was because of his brothers. I had hit with him in the past before he came in. I didn’t say too much, but I thought he’d be the best of the three and he is.”

The high praise is something new to the youngest Patel brother.

“He’s never said that to my face before,” Patel said with a laugh, before saying he would take that home to rub in the faces of his brothers.

It’s especially impressive seeing as Rahi was once named The Daily Journal’s Player of the Year two years in a row. Dhruv also was highly regarded, earning a first-team selection to The Daily Journal’s All-Star list at the end of the 2014 season.

Anuj may be more to the point with his brothers, but when it comes to competing with opponents on the court, it’s all mental. He likes to play the cerebral game, especially if he falls behind in the match. Even if he loses the point, it’s all part of his plan.

“If I’m down, I try to keep the play going and just try to get in the opponent’s head,” he said. “I try to run down everything so they’re not hitting any winners. If they don’t hit any winners, then they don’t have as much confidence.”

The only loss of his career came in April of 2015 against Mainland’s Harrison Freon, but Anuj has played many opponents that shouldn’t be scoffed at. In his eyes, every new challenger is the same.

“I know there are better players out there and that every match I have to do whatever I need to so I can win. I try to keep the same mindset of trying to play my game and not think about who I’m playing against.”

Patel defeated Freon last week in the Cape-Atlantic League tournament semifinals a day after winning first singles at the Cumberland County Championships.

he combination of his down-to-earth personality and his talent warranted the title of team captain for the Fighting Clan.

“Every time my lineup is read before a match, I make sure it’s read ‘sophomore captain, Anuj Patel,’” Luciano said. “So everybody knows who he is.”

Usually, the players and coaches on the other side of the net already have idea as to what they’re up against, according to Luciano.

“They have shown tremendous respect for his brothers, and when they ask me how he compares, I always say that they’re going to have their hands full. They’re going to work today at number one (singles).”

Anuj may have put up a stellar record through just about two years, but there is still a lot of work that needs to be done in his and Luciano’s minds. Anuj was not selected as one of the 32 players to compete in the state tournament, but that doesn’t hurt his confidence.

“I don’t really mind. I mean, I would’ve liked to be number 32, but it’s not a big deal,” Anuj said.

“He has to beat somebody that is an official big-time player on paper to reach the top-32,” Luciano explained. “I don’t take it as a snub. He’s a sophomore who hasn’t played and beaten the big dog yet.”

The best way for Anuj to face --- and possibly take down --- some of the top talent in the state is at the Moorestown Classic. Luciano said that he has already started the process of getting his team there next year.

Even with dozens of victories to his name, Anuj still gets that nervous feeling before every match; the same feeling he had at the start of his high school career, just more than a year ago.

“Oh yeah, definitely. But I just focus on my technique and don’t let the game get in my head. If you let your emotions get to you, that’s it.”

Trevor Newcomb; (856) 562-5257; tnewcomb@gannettnj.com