Sports
Muka Makes His Move
Top-Ranked Teen Tennis Star Hopes to Play Professionally
American universities and colleges are heavily recruiting 16-year old Muka Godinet, the Pacific’s top teen-age tennis star. Among the interested universities is Yale. But Muka, a junior at Manumalo Baptist School in American Samoa, is concentrating this year on tournaments including the South Pacific Mini Games to be hosted by Norfolk Island in December.
Muka, the son of Evi and Dave Godinet, was honored on Feb. 10 with the Overall Male Athlete of the Year award during the annual American Samoa National Olympic Committee (ASNOC) sports banquet.
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He is one of the Godinets’ six children and achieving in the sport of tennis runs in the family: Muka’s sister Davilyn, 17, is part of American Samoa’s women’s tennis team that is ranked number one in the South Pacific by the International Tennis Federation, and was in Hawaii competing in a tournament and then Chicago. His father, Dave, is a long time player and is the coach of both the men’s and women’s tennis teams. Davilyn was awarded the tennis female of the year award.
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Pacific Magazine caught up with Muka while practicing with his father at the Tafuna Tennis Court, the home of the American Samoa Tennis Association. Muka started playing tennis at the age of eight, and he said that it was his father who motivated him to play tennis. “I receive a lot of support from my family who asked me to keep trying at all times,” Muka said, noting that he is not afraid of challenges and said his latest accomplishments have been a challenge. “I work hard and try hard to achieve my goals. I will continue to work hard to reach the ultimate goal of playing professionally.”
Muka was not expecting the special award during the banquet. “It felt good that night receiving the Overall Male of the Year Award. My family and friends were cheering me on,” he added. Muka also received the Male of the Year Award in the Tennis category.
As the coach, Dave Godinet said it’s great to see the young players overcome challenges “and it’s every coach’s dream to see a player ranked first and also a dream to see a player make it to the professional ranks.”
But at the tennis court, Muka is treated just like any other player, not accorded special treatment because of his skill. Muka is yelled at, encouraged, supported and advised — as are the other players. “As a father and coach I am proud to see my son play well for American Samoa but also representing the region. This is their opportunity and I’m giving it to Muka and all other players. I treat all players equally,” he added.
“But achieving it is not easy to do. What’s even more exciting is when you see Pacific island youngsters making it in tennis,” he added. “I have done my work as a coach for every player and when they are out on the tennis court, they work hard to make everyone proud, including themselves.”
One of the reasons for the success of Muka and Davilyn is the fact that they’ve had the opportunity to go off-island to compete, gaining exposure against top-flight competition that’s made them better players.
Godinet said that the American Samoa Junior Tennis Association holds fundraising events to provide money to send players to off-island tournaments in order to develop its players by “exposing them to competition.”
“My motto is: if you work hard and are consistent, you will get there,” said Godinet. “That’s the same message I pass along to all my players.”
Muka is ranked number one in the USTA Hawaii Boys 16 & Under division and number one in the Pacific Oceania Jr. Boys 18 & Under division. He has won every regional tournament since March 2000, making him undefeated in the South Pacific. This year he was elected as a member of the South Pacific Davis Cup Team, which is comprised of all the top players in the South Pacific.
Muka’s success has attracted interest from universities and colleges in the United States. So many college recruitment letters have poured into his mailbox that he has had time to read only some of the letters of invitation. “There are a lot of letters,” he told Pacific.
With the ultimate goal to become a pro and the hope of being the first native American Samoa to join the elite ranks of tennis players worldwide, Muka told Pacific Magazine that he would like to meet top-ranked player Pete Sampras — one of his tennis idols. Meet him? Perhaps he’ll be across the net from Sampras, playing against him one of these days.
