Evans also admitted that a preseason loss to a teammate contributed to the decision. "I walked off the court and said I don't want to play anymore."

Both Usher and Harvard Captain Debbi. Kaufman said yesterday however, that the squad is not bitter at Evans hasty departure.

"I felt like I let them down a little." Evans said, but Usher disagreed. "I don't look at it as a loss for us-it's a good decision for Elizabeth," he said.

"Everyone's happy for her," Kaufman added.

Further, Evans said she felt she could nor entirely devote herself to tennis this season, saying. "I don't want to do it if I can't be great.

Those who witnessed her rise to the top of collegiate tennis understand why Ysher said. "She wants the best out of herself, and at times she can't give it.

"It's a good decision for Elizabeth." He continued. Citing her other commitments and the difficulties that they would cause her tennis career. Usher said. "It's tough to give less than your best and be comfortable with it."

"One day I just got up enough courage to say, "I don't want to plus anymore." Evans said. "It was a sign of relief."

But the Psychology and Social Relations major says she believes she still may have a future in tennis. "If I wanted to play tennis I could," she said.

Usher, who works with professional players, heartily agrees. "If she busts her butt, she could be in the top 10 in the world." Be said. However, he said that shed be frustrated coming back after a long layoff and he "[doesn't] think she can do it."

Another problem facing Evans future tennis career could be her weight, which has dropped significantly since she started modelling.

"I've never been as thin as I am and played tennis," she said, and I might he too weak."

Whether or not she plays tennis in the future may also depend largely on how stable she finds modelling.

She quickly added, however, that "I'm getting too old for either," Yet Evans a daring player on the court says she's "willing to take chances" in her personal life as well."

She cites the past fulfillment of personal tennis goals as the key reason in her quest for new challenges. Usher concurred. "She was the best player in the East, 15th best in the nation. She set out to be an All-American and she achieved it," he said.

So for now, Elizabeth Evans, perhaps one of the top five collegiate tennis players in the nation, is completely through with tennis.

And with new challenges to face Evans says she will no doubt relish the opportunity to tackle and conquer fresh, new goals. As Tarsitano put it. "Being a risk-taker helps."