A Look at UM Men's Tennis in 2009
Feb. 17, 2009
Special Q&A by Alex Oppenheimer
FR | Atlanta, Georgia
What have you done to remain undefeated in your singles matches this spring?
A: “I just keep my body ready for every match. I’m working more on my transition game, more on the short ball. This season I’m attacking more.”
What is it like being the only freshman on the team this year?
A: “It’s not bad because the teammates treat me very well. They treat me like everyone else on the team, not like a freshman. It has been great.”
What is it about the University of Miami and the tennis program that intrigued you to come here?
A: “The university overall – with the private campus atmosphere – and the weather really motivated me to come here. When I came on my recruiting trip, I just loved the team. I got along well with everyone and the coach and assistant coach. From the first weekend I was here, I fell in love with everything about UM.”
How is it playing on a team with such a diverse mix of players from around the world?
A: “I’ve been used to it because I’ve been playing a lot of international tournaments for most of my Juniors. All of my family is from Spain so I have an international background myself.”
How did you get the nickname “Nacho”?
A: “In Spain, Nacho is short for Ignacio. It is common, so I guess here people find it kind of strange since it’s a kind of chip. Everyone’s been calling me that and it’s easier for everyone to pronounce.”
Heading into tough ACC competition this year, what do you expect from yourself and your team in your first season?
A: “I expect to keep improving, keep working hard and hopefully remain undefeated – or at least compete well in all of my matches. For the team, I think it is definitely reasonable to finish in the top two or three in the ACC, and just keep working hard and keep winning.”
SO | Oslo, Norway
What kinds of things do you say and do to emerge as one of the team leaders as just a sophomore?
A: “I always encourage teammates, and as a player – even if you’re struggling, you always have to keep the team spirit up. Even though it is an individual sport, you are playing for seven points and every match counts. So even if the number one player is winning, it is just as important to win at number six.”
Having been ranked No. 1 in doubles with Daniel Vallverdu, how were you both able to do so well?
A: “It was a little surprising to come in as a freshman and be ranked so high. To play with Danny – he could be the best doubles player in college tennis – and to play with him makes me play better as well.”
What was your experience like playing on the Norwegian Davis Cup Team in 2006-07?
A: “That was the first time that I was part of a team, so that helped me to play college tennis. To represent your country is a special thing. It was just a great experience… it was just really cool.”
Heading into another tough ACC season, what do you expect from yourself and your team?
A: “Last year we lost in the finals of the ACC Tournament, so this year I hope that we will win. I think we have a stronger team this year and I think we will get even better. Some of the new guys on the team have stepped up and have been playing really well. I expect us to be at least in the top 15 in the country and hopefully win the ACC Championship.”
SO | Capetown, South Africa
Despite being an underclassmen, how have you used your experiences to become one of the team’s premier players?
A: “It was tough for me from the beginning coming into a really good team. From positions one through six, there is so much each individual brings to the team. [Head coach] Mario [Rincon] says I have a pretty big influence on the team. A lot of the guys feed off of my positive energy.”
What about UM drew you to play collegiate tennis here?
A: “I started off pretty lucky to get here. I signed within the last week before the deadline. Mario is a great coach and I don’t think there are many like him in the country. He’s got a different way of approaching things with his program and it turns out pretty well. One quality he’s got is that he’s a family guy. He’s got a wife, three little girls and they are always around. So he’s a good guy to have as a coach and as someone who understands your personal problems.”
What have figures such as your father, who is a professional tennis coach, Coach Rincon, and the Paul Roos Gymnasium staff taught you throughout your career?
A: “My dad has got a different way of coaching. He cares, but he doesn’t really say anything, so that made me work harder. His not telling me to do this and do that taught me self-discipline. When I worked with the coach at Paul Roos, he had a completely different way of coaching – a lot about technique and fitness; he concentrated more on the mental side. With a coach like Mario, he also pushes you in a different way. He make you want to go out there and do what you have to do.”
Heading into a big match, what do you do to keep your composure and clear your head?
A: “I generally play better in tight situations because you’re feeling the pressure, you’ve got the adrenaline. Once I walk onto the court, everything outside is out of my head. I clear it out, blank page, and go out and do what I need to do.”
Heading into another tough ACC season, what do you expect from yourself and your team?
A: “We started off the season a little bit too laid back and relaxed, but as soon as we started our first ACC match we came out firing and that’s what we have to do throughout the whole season. We have two 7-0 wins so far and we have to keep pumping each other up to do well in the ACC.”
