While for Laddin the prospect of playing on a national team is a new one, both Stanley and Scott have experience on U.S. Junior Davis Cup teams and the international junior circuit.
"When you play for Harvard, it's more for your teammates," said Scott, "When you play for your country, you play for the people."
"Even how you carry yourself on the field is important because you represent the whole country." Stanley said.
But as far as competition goes, "the top collegiate level is just as good as any international junior competition," added Stanley, whose credits include winning Brazil's Banana Bowl last year and placing high in both the Junior Wimbledon and the Junior U.S. Open tournaments.
"In fact," noted Scott, "many collegiate tennis players are foreign students."
"Any of the top college players would have had a lot of experience in international competition," he added.
While qualifying for the U.S. Olympic team is a formidable task in itself, the competition ahead in Los Angeles is even tougher. Expected to play for Sweden. For example, are highly ranked Mats Wilander and Stephan Edberg.
"Sweden has got to be the favorite for the games," said Stanley.
One American pro, Jimmy Arias, has been given an automatic spot on the American team.
With the college tennis season just winding down, none of the players are making special preparations for the Olympic trials.
"Most of them would be playing and preparing for summer tournaments anyway if it weren't for this," said Fish.
"If I play at my best, I think I have a chance at making the team," said Stanley. A native of Rye, N.Y., Stanley has played at Flushing Meadows many times before.
"Having the trials there helps me because the fast hard courts suit my game well," he added.
The 1984 Los Angeles Summer Olympics will be the first time that tennis is recognized as a official Olympic exhibition sport. No medals are awarded for exhibition and players will not participate in the opening and closing ceremonies, according to a USTA spokesman. the International Olympic Committee plans to give tennis full status in the 1988 Seoul Olympics.