It’s been more than 35 years since Ronald Reagan stated, during his first inaugural address, “Those who say that we’re in a time when there are no heroes, they just don’t know where to look.” We discovered heroes in every state, starting with the determined 69-year-old who won a match at an ITF Pro Circuit event earlier this year in the Alabama town of Pelham, and culminating with the coach who has overcome multiple sclerosis to build a winning program at the University of Wyoming. Their compelling stories of courage, perseverance and achievement demonstrate that the message delivered by our 40th President rings as true today as it did then.
Jakob Mueller remembers the moment he met Roger Federer, at the 2015 U.S. Open.
“My mouth was wide open,” he says with a smile. “I was in awe.”
His father stood nearby with tears in his eyes, remembering the difficult road leading to that unforgettable moment.
Mueller’s tennis journey began in the summer of 2012. Then just 10 years old, he stumbled across the 2012 Wimbledon semifinal between Novak Djokovic and Federer on TV. Accustomed to watching team sports like football and basketball, he found himself mesmerized by two players facing off one-on-one. His interest piqued and he excitedly tuned in to the final the following day, where Federer’s victory cemented Mueller’s love for the Swiss (and the game of tennis). Little did he know how important his newfound passion would become in the years ahead.
Within months of that Wimbledon final, Mueller started taking lessons, eventually playing tournaments and team tennis in his hometown of Little Rock, AR. But in the fall of 2014, his play would take a backseat to his health. A visit to the doctor to examine a growth near his collarbone prompted a diagnosis of stage II Hodgkin’s Lymphoma.
“I thought I was going to die,” Mueller says. “But my parents told me more about it, and it was very curable. After that, I had a positive attitude ... I didn’t approach life any differently.”
