A to Z with Peter Slaton

YEAR: Senior

POSITION: No. 1 singles, No. 1 doubles

HEIGHT: 6-foot-1

WEIGHT: 165 pounds

Area tennis player I would pay to watch play: My partner (at No. 1 doubles), Jacob Gordon. He’s got a big first serve, and he fights. That one-handed backhand, when he gets in it, is pretty sweet.

Best movie I’ve ever seen: “The Intouchables” (a 2011 French film).

Coach Paul Spradling’s best words of advice for me: “Move your feet, keep the ball in play and stay relaxed.”

Dinner on an ideal night? Leonardo’s 706.

Easiest class or part of my school day: Ms. Paxson’s environmental science.

Feeling I had after winning the District 3-3A title last week in my first year as Gainesville High’s No. 1 singles player: It means a lot. I just felt like it was my time to step up to the plate and perform.

Greatest tennis player in the world right now? Roger Federer.

Hoisting the state championship trophy as an individual competitor at the Class 3A state finals next Friday in Altamonte Springs will take … Focus. That’s going to be the main thing. I’m going to have to work for every point, limit my unforced errors and keep my feet going.

NOTE: Slaton won two state titles as the Hurricanes’ No. 3 singles player in his sophomore and junior seasons.

Interesting thing about me off the court: I’ve played piano since fifth grade.

Joker on the team? Definitely Jake Gordon, without a doubt. He adds funny comments, and he doesn’t laugh at his own jokes, which makes it even funnier.