An Ill Wind Might Blow Up His Season

The college recruiting letters are piling up in his room, his national ranking is plummeting and the high school tennis season opens in a week, but University High’s Henry Mak has a more pressing concern--his health.

It has been six months and seven doctors since Mak began experiencing fatigue, vertigo and throbbing temples. So far, all he knows is that he has a blood infection that prevents him from playing the game he loves, and that he has a difficult time keeping up with his school work.

He doesn’t know what caused his problems or when they will end. The doctors are as mystified as Mak.

“My doctors are still trying to narrow it down,” Mak said. “Blood tests confirmed there is an infection. But that’s about it.”

Doctors have eliminated mononucleosis, lime disease and other more prolonged and serious infections.

“I thought we’d go to a doctor and get the right medication and that would be it,” said Laura Mak, Henry’s mother. “But this has been going on for seven months now. It’s very frustrating.”

Mak has tried to remain positive and he has somehow been able to maintain his 4.4 grade-point average and position as junior class president.

“It’s been a very rough year,” Mak said. “It’s been a battle balancing everything.”

Mak, ranked sixth nationally in the boys’ 16s last year, has not played a match since August. He tried to play at the USTA Nationals in Kalamazoo, Mich., but he flew home after experiencing dizziness and fatigue. He has stepped on the court a few times since then, but he hasn’t lasted very long.

“When I’m out on the court, I feel like I’m in a kind of dreamy-like state,” he said. “I don’t have much control.”

Last year, Mak helped lead University to a 20-0 season and the Pacific Coast League and Division II championships. But his prospects of playing this season are not great.

“I’m determined to come back to tennis,” said Mak, a first-team all-county selection last year after winning 37 of 42 sets. “I’m going to stay tough, just like I always was on the tennis court.”

University Coach Jeff Hammond said the team will miss Mak’s toughness.

“His focus, his spirit has a way of lifting everybody else’s level,” Hammond said. “He’s an extremely talented player and a great competitor. I know it must be terribly hard for him not to be able to play. As soon as he feels fit to play, we’ll play him.”

Mak doesn’t know when that will be. And he isn’t about to rush into anything.

“I can’t be on the tennis court, so I don’t stress out about it,” he said. “I’ve gained a different perspective on life. Things don’t bother me as much anymore.”