Brother-Sister Combo Leads The Way For UM Tennis Teams
May 7, 2008
by Scott Braun
The No. 1 men’s tennis player and the No. 1 women’s tennis player at the University of Miami both come from Valencia, Venezuela. But they share more than the same homeland – they’re brother and sister.
Daniel and Laura Vallverdu are the sibling sensations of college tennis, where Daniel, a junior international finance and marketing major, is ranked No. 5 nationally in men’s singles by the Intercollegiate Tennis Association, and Laura, a sophomore psychology major, is ranked No. 19 in women’s singles. And they’ve both earned All-Atlantic Coast Conference team honors every season they’ve played.
Women’s coach Paige Yaroshuk-Tews is amazed by the university’s fortune to inherit the two tennis stars. Dani and Lau, as they are referred to by their friends, have brought extra attention to the school’s tennis program, she said.
“I think that Dani is undoubtedly one of the best players in college tennis,” Yaroshuk-Tews said. “He’s got a year and some experience on Lau. Lau, with another year on her belt, could potentially be where he is at this time next year.”
Laura, 21, and Daniel, 22, began their tennis training informally when they were 6 and 7 by smacking tennis balls with their father, Antonio on weekends. The competitive nature between the two children brewed as soon as they picked up a tennis racquet.
“We’re not as competitive now, but when we were younger it was crazy,” Laura said. “I have a video of when I was 8 and he was 9. I was better at tennis than him because I was playing longer. He still hates to see that video. It’s so funny. I’m climbing the fence because I’m so excited that I beat him. He was even cheating just to try to beat me. He tried to say the ball was out and then my dad would say `No, Dani, the ball was good.'”
“She had me,” Daniel agreed. “She owned me that day. It was one of the worst matches I’ve ever played. After that I trained hard to make sure I could beat her.”
Both inherit their parents’ athleticism. Their father played professional soccer; their mother Daniela was a ballerina. The two were born in Venezuela, but grew up mostly in Barcelona, where their parents own a fitness center and spa in Tenerife. The family now resides in the Canary Islands.
For Daniel and Laura, choosing to attend Miami was a no-brainer.
“I’ve been to a bunch of schools,” said Daniel. “And every time I go to another school I say, `There’s no way I would change Miami for this.'”
UM women’s tennis is ranked No. 12 in the country, which has earned them a home bid for the upcoming NCAA Regionals. The Coral Gables Regional is this Friday and Saturday. A No. 19 ranking for the men means they’ve earned a bid, but not at home. They’ll travel to the University of Florida to play in the Gainesville Regional this weekend.
The brother-sister combo plays No. 1 singles and No. 1 doubles on their respective teams, and the way they get along with each other rubs off on their teammates as well.
“We are good friends off the court and there’s no doubt that we communicate better on the court because of it,” said Laura’s doubles partner, senior Romy Farah. “We’re not afraid to tell each other what is on our mind. I know what to expect from her and she knows what to expect from me when we are out there playing.”
One idea Daniel and Laura hadn’t previously considered was to team up to play mixed doubles at the pro level. Currently, Daniel is No. 3 in doubles with freshman Carl Sundberg. Laura is No. 20 in doubles with Farah.
Only the best doubles teams earn top-dollar, but the Vallverdus have a chance to be even more special with their excellent chemistry off the court. Siblings always draw crowds, and the Bryan twins have proved that on the Association of Tennis Professionals Tour. Bob and Mike Bryan of Camarillo, California are currently the No. 1 ranked doubles players in the world.
Even UM men’s head coach Mario Rincon considered the idea.
“Actually, I’ve never thought about this before. I can see them on the court being extremely successful together right away,” Rincon said. “In doubles someone has to lead, and I couldn’t tell you right now who that would be. Both of them are great leaders in their own ways. But that would be interesting. They have the ability to do really well playing mixed doubles at the pro level.”
Daniel seems down for the idea as well. “It would be a cool experience if we are able to do it at some time. We might consider it down the line.”
But that fantasy will have to wait at least two years until both siblings finish school. Daniel has one year to go and Laura will be entering her junior year in the fall.
“I want to play professionally,” Laura said. “I still have two more years, but if it keeps going like this then I want to hit the pro circuit.”
Daniel agrees: “My first priority is to graduate, and then I’ll go and play pro.”
