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Luke Neal has been attending clinics at the California Tennis Club in San Francisco since he was 9 years old. Mature beyond his years, he’s become an example that coaches Pablo Pires de Almeida and Steve Jackson use to motivate other players.

Blue Chip Junior Luke Neal Has Committed to Yale
© Contributed Photo

"He works the hardest and never complains,” Pires de Almeida said. “He is just that guy that is so good for the group, and nobody can get on his court and not work hard because he is going to push you the whole time. He is just a great guy to have on your team."

Yale will get a chance to experience that benefit in a few years. Neal, a blue chip junior from Larkspur, California, has verbally committed to play for the Bulldogs.

Neal wanted to attend a top academic school, and was in contact with all the Ivy League programs. His visit to Yale’s campus in New Haven, Connecticut convinced Neal Yale was the right fit for him.

"I met the team and I felt like they were really well bonded and working hard to improve. I also thought the facilities were amazing and both coaches were awesome,” Neal said. “They had a player development plan personally based for me on what I should work on as well as a plan for the team."