However, this year it’s different.
Gonzalez has previously made it to state as part of a doubles team, but after he became the first Harlingen South player to win the entire boys Region IV-6A tournament back in April, he will now make his state singles debut.
“It’s really about me this year. The two previous years I’ve had someone to help me out along the way, but it’s all on my own this year,” Gonzalez said. “It’s going to be tough, but I’m going to work hard and go out there to see what I can do.”
Gonzalez has had plenty of practice in the last month to get ready.
In April, he had the opportunity play in the United States Tennis Association’s $15,000 Futures Tournament at the Harlingen Country Club, which featured players from the pro circuit.
With the extra play and experience, Gonzalez is feeling confident.
“Playing at the Futures has got me prepared mentally and physically. It helped me a lot to play in the Futures because I constantly see that pace at district, regionals and now at state,” Gonzalez said. “It was a great experience; I couldn’t have asked for better preparation before the state tournament.
“I’m happy and feel like every thing is coming together right now.”
The tournament, which is Tuesday and Wednesday at Texas A&M University, could not have come at a better time for Gonzalez.
In fact, Harlingen South head tennis coach Noe Stillman feels the junior standout has been playing his best tennis as of late and has a real chance to make noise at this week’s tournament.
“It started in October during his first futures tournament where he played well. He started hitting the ball a lot crisper and has been handling the pace better since playing against the pros,” Stillman said.
“He is doing the right things and starting to hit the ball really good off the ground. I think his confidence is coming in at the right time. If he can show up in the first match, get through it and play the way he did at regionals, he has a real shot.”
Gonzalez’s state journey begins at 8 a.m. Tuesday at the Mitchell Tennis Center and Omar Smith Instructional Tennis Courts in College Station. He will face Round Rock Westwood’s Colin Markes in the opening round.