Montgomery County, beware! Tarun Kakumanu, a former student of Sweet Home High School in Buffalo, New York and now a junior at RHS, has set his eyes on the gold…that is, the RHS boys’ tennis team.

Kakumanu was ranked third at his former school, the 2007 Division IV Champions of New York, had the fastest serve and was the only player to have a one-handed backhand on his team. Additionally, he was the Most Improved Player last year due to his leap in his tennis skill level. Kakumanu was an exhibition player during his freshman year, but as a sophomore, he earned the third singles position, finishing with a 17-1 record.

Kakumanu was actually a table tennis player before learning how to play tennis. Playing since he was four, he was even nationally ranked when he lived in India. However, due to the absence of a table tennis team in New York, he dropped table tennis to play tennis instead.

Along with his incredible athletic skills, Kakumanu also establishes high goals for his future. Planning to become a cardiologist, Kakumanu is a member of the Future Doctors and Scientists club and has multiple AP classes filling up his schedule. Morever, he is an amazing chess player. In New York, he placed second in the national tournament last year. According to Kakumanu, only Thomas Lee, a 3.8 GPA senior, has defeated Kakumanu in a game of chess so far at RHS.

Despite these serious achievements, Kakumanu tends to be a bit humorous. "I practice with my wife Maria Sharapova," said Kakumanu. His bedroom wall is dedicated to Sharapova and is covered with posters of her. "I can beat Rafael Nadal, and Roger Federer bribed me so I wouldn’t embarrass him by winning a grand slam against him."

In reality, Kakumanu practices with his dad and other RHS tennis players. During the varsity girls’ tennis season, he was a manager, often teaching the doubles teams how to volley and use teamwork and practicing against the singles players to improve their play. "[Kakumanu] gives us a challenge when we need it," said singles player Linda Quach.

"RHS is nothing like my old school, athletic-wise," said Kakumanu. However, he is glad to be part of the RHS boys’ tennis team. "I heard that the number two player in the Mid-Atlantic region attends this school. I’m looking forward to that," added Kakumanu.