GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Big-fish player. Small-pond program.
That's what
Josh Goodger was at Tulsa. As a freshman and sophomore, the big-swinging lefty from London often made quick work of his competition while playing at the No. 1 or 2 singles spot for the Golden Hurricane. Something about it all, however, seemed very unsatisfying.
Enter the best friend of every disgruntled college athlete in 2021: the transfer portal.
"He wanted to be pushed, wanted to be challenged, wanted to go to a place where, frankly, he was going to be able to develop further," Florida coach
Bryan Shelton said. "I felt he needed to be around guys and coaches who would push him harder, work him harder and force him to put more energy into it. The time was right and we were the perfect fit."
Josh Goodger
So Goodger brought his lanky 6-foot-4 and free-swinging game to the Gators with a promise to fulfill all he was looking for. The partnership, however, had to work both ways and Goodger learned quickly (sometimes often) about accountability issues.
Like the time he arrived for individual-instruction workouts a minute late and wearing flip-flops. See ya.
"Coach knows I can be a handful and that I'm not the best with time management, which is something that can push his buttons," Goodger said. "He told me early on that I had the ability to play high in the lineup, but mentally just wasn't strong enough. I needed to hear that. I needed that kind of honesty. Needed to be more responsible."
That was Goodger's 2020 junior season, a campaign that did not go swimmingly for the first-year Gator and one that, of course, wasn't exactly satisfying for a Florida team that just won the Southeastern Conference title when collegiate sports (and the world) shut down due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Now, here it is, the home stretch of 2021, and
the Gators (17-1, 11-0) are ranked No. 1 heading into Friday's regular-season finale at No. 13 South Carolina (12-7, 7-4), barely a week removed from clinching the league title last weekend against Kentucky.
In that match, Goodger, playing at No. 6 singles for the eighth time, was absolutely drubbed in his opening set by Alexandre Leblanc by an ugly 0-6 count. From his coach's perch across the court, Shelton knew exactly what was going on in Goodger's sometimes scattershot mind. The issues that plagued him during the day's doubles match earlier — an inability to return serve —carried over to singles player and Goodger was fighting himself; pushing too hard.
"What was my mentality?" Goodger said. "I wanted to break my racquet."
Shelton could sense as much and thought about taking a walk to Court 6 for a chat. Nope. Instead, coach let player figure it out.
Accountability. Competition. Challenge.
Goodger flipped the match on its heels, using his all-around court game to rally from behind and not only win his match 0-6, 6-3, 6-3, but provide the Gators the match-clinching point that also locked up a second straight SEC title. His reward was the bottom spot under a dog pile of teammates.
The victory moved Goodger to 15-0 in singles play on the season, including 9-0 in dual matches, thus giving his team quite a luxury at No. 6, a testament to the squad's depth as it beelines toward the postseason and quest for the first national title in program history.
"A year ago, he goes down in flames. That's what makes it such a great story," Shelton said of Goodger's rally against the Wildcats. "I'm so proud of him to have made the necessary changes to put himself in that position and give himself that opportunity. That's something that will give him a lot of confidence."
For the guy they call "Goodge," the lessons weren't always easy and the ramifications not always pleasant. But they were imperative to his growth, and thus to the growth of the Gators as well. He's better for it, they're better for it.
"He's a very self-aware guy and not someone who lies to himself," senior team captain and No. 1 singles standout
Duarte Vale said. "If he messes up, he's the first to own up to it. That's one of the things I love about him. He's honest to himself and honest to everyone around him. He's never one to be looking for excuses."
That honesty and man-in-the-mirror approach has furthered Goodger's game.
As a youth player in England, he went virtually unrecruited across the pond. Entering ITF events cost money and his family had only so much. Goodger got minimum feelers and minimum scholarship offers (20 percent here and there) before a late one came from Tulsa that was too good to pass up. He went to Oklahoma sight unseen.
"That was an interesting experience," he deadpanned.
Suffice to say London had very little in common with the Sooner State. At Tulsa, though, at least Goodger had tennis and he was the best the Golden Hurricane had to offer and, as such, admittedly could get away with acting however he pleased; on and off the court. Eventually, he wore out his welcome and went looking for a fresh start.
When Goodger's name popped in the portal Shelton was immediately interested. He'd seen Goodger play in various events. The two parties eventually spoke.
Shelton's first question: "Why do you want to leave?"
Senior team captain Duarte Vale (left) gives a chest bump to Josh Goodger during a 2021 match.
Goodger said all the right things and Shelton reciprocated with all the right answers. The fit seemed like a good one, but there were some anxious moments when Goodger became a Gator. He was reminded about that initial conversation — the one about being pushed and held to standards — and told the deal was going to be held up on Florida's end. The rest was up to him.
"He needed to make some changes and, to his credit, because change is hard, that was what he wanted. Did he want to be out there competing with his brothers or sitting with on the sidelines cheering them on?" Shelton said. "He didn't try to fight it. He is such a beautiful kid. He said, 'I'm going to do better.' As coaches, a big part of our job is to help these young men grow."
And now, here they are. Shelton has a big-hitter at No. 6 who is as difficult to prepare for (he's a lefty, so everything is backward for most) as he is to actually play against. Goodger has size and can move, which makes him a haunt on defense. He pairs that with a big serve and skills to play from all three levels. Last month, he was
named ITA National Player of the Week for doing straight-set work against his opponents in big match wins against No. 6 Texas Christian and rival Florida State.
That Goodger is doing it all from that far-court spot at No. 6 speaks not only to his humility, but to his willingness to sacrifice for the team.
"I didn't play much last year and wasn't starting at the beginning of [this] season, so every time I step out on the court and represent the Gators is a great opportunity that I am thankful for," he said. "I would love to play higher [in the lineup], but I have a job to do for the team, not as an individual. If it was for myself, it might be a different story, but my coaches and teammates here are counting on me to do my part to help this team win."
Big-time attitude change. Big-pond player.
