If you dream of a great tennis adventure, America is the place to be. College tennis is the ultimate paradise for anyone looking to combine tennis and academics! In this article, we’ll take you on a journey through a season of a college tennis player. This way, you’ll know what to expect when you move to America. Our very own Fons van Sambeek also shared his experiences once, which you can read about here.
Fall Season – A Memorable Start
Most tennis players depart for America in the summer to begin their college adventure. This means that the fall semester is often their first season. It’s a period primarily focused on studying, but there’s also plenty of tennis involved. You participate individually in various tennis tournaments, competing against players from other universities to win and improve your UTR (Universal Tennis Rating).
But the fall season is more than just playing UTR tournaments and studying. In the first months of the school year, you invest a lot of time in intensive training. During these training sessions, you and your teammates focus on becoming physically and mentally stronger, all with the aim of being prepared for the spring semester.
During the first few weeks, you might need some time to adjust to the training schedule. It ranges from early morning sessions to late evening practices, all geared towards starting the spring season in top form.
Spring Season – the Road to Glory
The official team season begins now, where the matches really matter. During this season, you play various matches in your own Conference (which is a kind of regional competition) against other universities. An encounter between two universities starts with three one-set doubles matches, all played simultaneously. The team that wins two of these doubles matches earns the first point. Then, six singles matches take place. With seven points to distribute in a match day, there’s always a winner! While you’re playing your match, the crowd cheers, and your teammates shout you to victory. The atmosphere is intense. The ultimate goal: winning the Conference and qualifying for the National Championship Tournament.
During the season, you play matches both at your own university and at other universities, which means you’re frequently on the road. You discover new cities, states, and visit beautiful tennis complexes, all with your entire team.
In the meantime, your studies remain extremely important, of course. You’re engaged in schoolwork daily and need to pass your exams. Because if you don’t perform well academically, the coach may not field you in matches.
Summer Season – Returning Home
During the summer, as a student-athlete in America, you have a three-month break. For many players, it’s a time to reconnect with family and friends. However, during this period, you also continue training to maintain your skills and participate in tournaments to keep the competitive edge. You might even have the opportunity to compete in the ITF World Tennis Tour. Who knows, between college seasons, you might earn your first ATP or WTA points or participate in some NRT tournaments.
But college tennis is more than just tennis and studying; there are numerous other reasons to consider making the leap to America. Perhaps other reasons are more important to you in embarking on this adventure. College tennis is also a journey of personal growth and development. As a student-athlete, you learn to deal with challenges, work within a team, navigate different cultures, and find a balance between sports and academics. It’s an adventure where you learn a lot, grow, and create memories that you carry with you for a lifetime.
Hopefully, you now have a better understanding of the life of a college tennis player and what a year of college tennis can look like. Whether you dream of a professional tennis career, a few years in a high-performance sports environment in America, earning a degree, or simply embarking on a beautiful adventure, college tennis has a lot to offer.
Excited? Quickly fill out this form, and we’ll reach out to you to discuss your options without any obligation. Want to learn more about the college tennis world? Then participate in our annual Slamstox Tennis Showcase. Improve your UTR, connect with coaches, and learn all about college tennis. And who knows, maybe we’ll see you shining in college soon.
