Checking in with Diana Wong

Throughout the remainder of the 2020, we will check in with the players on the University of Louisville women's tennis team as they complete their semesters online. This week we check in with Diana Wong of Hilo, Hawai'i.

Q: What are your thoughts on spring season being cancelled?
A: It's been a very heartbreaking situation especially for us seniors. No one ever imagined season ending this way and this fast... it still doesn't feel real. But you know this is the cards we've been dealt right now and we athletes have learned to adapt. I just pray that everyone stays healthy and safe because that's the main concern right now.

Q: What are you doing with yourself during your free time?
A: I first focused on all my classes and the adjustments our professors had to make. But after that, I'm binge watching movies on Disney-plus. I've also been taking up cooking, and although that hasn't been going too well, my dog has been enjoying it very much.

Q: What did you do for spring break and what are you actually doing?
A: Originally my boyfriend and I planned on going to Nashville for three days, which we were actually able to do. After Nashville we came back to Louisville for an afternoon practice I had since we were scheduled to leave that Friday for a match against Boston College. Now, I'm currently in Buffalo where I finished the rest of the semester.

Q: How are you continuing to stay in shape during this time?
A: Other than going on runs with my dog, the only other way to stay in shape is home workouts and eating healthy. Since all the gyms are closed, it's been a challenge. Guess that just means less Dairy Kastle for me.

Q: Your impressions on the spring season up to this point?
A: The most heartbreaking thing about this all is that I believe we could've actually done really well and have a breakthrough season. We definitely had some matches that we should've won, but we were focused and ready for the rest of the season and everyone on our team who was previously injured were finally getting healthy.

Q: What will you miss most about being on campus?
A: Being able to see my teammates every day and being able to practice. Practice was a time we worked hard but it was also a time for me to relieve stress from schoolwork and other worries.

Q: Have you and your teammates been keeping in contact through all of this and how?
A: Yes, we have a group chat with all of us and we've been sending messages.

Q: Is there anything you would like to say to Card Nation?
A: I just want to say thank you Card Nation for sticking with us athletes through everything. I'm a transfer student athlete and was only able to spend two years here at UofL and I am incredibly fortunate. I have definitely felt the love, Card Nation! We rise as one!

Q: What is your favorite memory of this season prior to the sudden end?
A: Pretty much sweeping the doubles point against NC State was probably my favorite memory of this season. The crowd was loud and we were able to compete outdoors and the atmosphere was just everything.

Q: What is your favorite memory as a Cardinal?
A: I think my favorite memory as a Cardinal was clinching against Furman last season. It all came down to my match to decide who won and being able to steal that point from them in their house was the best feeling.

Q: Are you home or on campus?
A: I am not home. Home for me is Hawai'i and although the flights are very cheap to fly back home I am in Buffalo with my boyfriend. Thankfully the Buffalo Bills weight room was open so we worked out and kept busy. But now that everything's pretty much on lockdown I've been watching a ton of movies.

Q: How have people in your family been directly affected by the virus?
A: My mom owns a flower shop in Hawai'i and so she's been getting hit hard in terms of lack of customers. No one's really worried about buying flowers right now as they are buying toilet paper and hand sanitizer. But I mean everyone is getting hit hard right now and it's a time that we all must pray for one another.

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