One of the most difficult positions in sports is the role of the back-up. Almost all athletes at sometime or another in their career must experience the role of supporting their team from the sidelines, all the while enduring the feeling that they could make the crucial contribution on the court or field if given the chance. More often than not, this chance will eventually present itself, and the back-up must be ready. This is the most important role for the reserve player. This is the role that sophomore tennis player Mark Weinig played until his chance came up this season Feb. 28.

Against Big Ten rival Northwestern, Weinig was thrust into the starting role due to an injury to teammate Lachezar Kasarov. Against the Wildcats, ranked No. 33 in the country, Weinig fell short of victory, but showed he was more than ready for the competition as he pushed the match to the full allotment of three sets, including a second set 6-0 domination.

Once Weinig had a chance to settle in after his first match, the victories did come, with Weinig notching two impressive victories over Marquette in both singles and doubles play. In his singles match, Weinig was pushed to the edge by his opponent, but persevered to pull out a tie-breaker point in the final set to take the “W.”

“The first deal against Northwestern was really a tough, tough deal for him, because he hadn’t played all spring,” UW head coach Pat Klingelhoets said. “He did a real good job against Marquette … he is hitting the ball extremely well and can do a great job for us.”

Weinig’s success is a tribute to his work ethic and mental toughness to stay prepared even when not on the court.

“It’s hard to come out and practice hard, if you can’t get out there and actually compete,” said Weinig of his situation early in the season. “The coaches did a pretty good job of keeping me motivated, and I did a pretty good job of staying motivated and that definitely carried over to now that I am playing.”

Weinig’s philosophy on the practice court has had a major impact on his effectiveness during his duels this year.

“To be cliché, I guess, I just try to practice how I play,” Weinig said. “[I try] to be competitive and mentally tough in practice, and that will carry over into matches.”

Coach Klingelhoets sees the work ethic that Weinig has and the dividends it has paid.

“He certainly worked hard over the summer, and he is an improved player.”

Weinig is not simply a gritty effort player who gets by on heart alone. Weinig is a very talented player, who adapts to his opponent to best exploit their weaknesses.

“I stay on the baseline more, but if I need to I can come in — sort of an all-court counter- puncher.”

“His serve and his forehand are his biggest shots, but we feel he has a pretty complete game,” Klingelhoets said.

On or off the court, though, Weinig realizes the biggest key to his success is his ability to roll with the punches.

“Staying mentally tough is the most important thing.”

Weinig, recruited from Aurora, Colo., maintains very strong confidence in his play and hopes to accomplish much before his time at UW is done.

“To be All-Big Ten, I know it is a pretty lofty goal, to be All-Big Ten one year, before I graduate.”

For this season, though, Weinig is looking more for team success — success he hopes he can continue to contribute to.

“The ultimate goal is to make NCAAs, which is hard to do. But I think if we keep that in the back of our minds, that could definitely push us to achieve that goal.”

At 5-6 (0-1 Big Ten), the Badgers have a lot of work to do before reaching that goal, but Weinig realizes after starting the season in reserve that it isn’t where you start — it’s where you finish.