A SPECIAL KIND OF COURTSHIP

OJAI —  Darren Miller played all of his matches on the farthest courts from the grandstand, far from the cheering crowds.

It was only fitting.

Miller is one of UCLA’s “backcourt guys,” the players at the bottom of the roster who must practice on courts outside the school’s tennis stadium.

Backcourt guys are summoned only when a top player wants to sharpen his forehand or return and needs someone to feed him balls. Backcourt guys cheer during matches, but rarely get to play.

“It’s a tough position to be in,” UCLA Coach Billy Martin said. “The majority of the guys get pouty and lose heart.”

But Miller was added to the Bruin squad that’s competing in the Pacific 10 Invitational at the Ojai Valley Tennis Tournament as a reward for his cheerful diligence to scrub duties.

In an era when college athletics can seem overwhelmed by glitz and glamour, the 6-foot-2, 192-pound sophomore is something of a throwback. Blond and square-jawed, he embodies the old-school spirit.

“It’s an honor to be on this team,” he will say in a quiet, sincere voice. Or: “I try to help any way I can.”

Said Martin: “I’ve seen a lot of guys come and go through this program. Darren has handled his situation as well as anyone I’ve had.”

Miller didn’t always need to display such selfless devotion.

Two years ago, as a senior at Calabasas High, he won 41 of 43 sets and was named to The Times’ All-Valley team. While not a prized recruit, he might have found a place on many college squads.

There was, however, no doubt where he wanted to go. He placed a call to Martin and said: “Let me walk on and see what I can do.”

Arriving at UCLA, he was soon introduced to life on the backcourts. At the same time, the Bruins discovered what kind of young man they had in their midst.

“When it comes to feeding practice balls or doing some of the other jobs, some guys are like, ‘Do I have to?’ ” said Chip Humphries, the team manager. “Darren is the one who always volunteers. He takes it seriously.”

Said Bruin star Eric Taino: “He’s willing to do whatever it takes. It’s good to have someone like that on your side.”

Not that Miller gave up on his game. He continued to work six days a week, three hours a day, trying to bolster his serve-and-volley attack with stronger ground strokes.

As a freshman, he teamed with Vincent Allegre to score an 8-3 doubles victory in a dual match against Oregon. This year, he saw some early season action.

But his hopes of procuring one of the top eight spots on the team have been tempered by the realities of playing for a powerhouse.

“Every year, UCLA is bringing in top juniors, so it’s hard for guys like Darren,” Humphries said.

For Miller, the Ojai tournament lasted only two days. He lost in the first round of singles competition Thursday. He and teammate Brandon Kramer won their first-round doubles match Friday morning, but lost, 6-4, 7-5, to a Washington duo in the afternoon.

Still, Miller spent much of the past few days grinning.

“This is the place to be,” he said. “You just keep working hard and see if your chances come around.”

In a few weeks, UCLA will play host to the NCAA tournament. The Bruins are ranked No. 1 and Miller relishes the opportunity to participate, any way he can, in a national championship.

For now, Miller is looking forward to practice next week. Apparently, he misses the backcourts.

“It’s just like hanging out with friends,” he said. “I love being on this team.”