At The Net with Franco Aubone
By Kevin Ivany
HurricaneSports.com
CORAL GABLES, Fla. – In the most recent edition of At The Net with members of the University of Miami men’s tennis team, HurricaneSports.com sat down with reigning ACC Doubles Team of the Week member, freshman Franco Aubone.
The San Juan, Argentina, native took the time to reflect on his chemistry with fellow classmate Francisco Bastias, his transition to college tennis and the upcoming road stretch.
On wrapping up the six-match stretch across seven days, and having a couple days of rest…
“Yeah, I think we played a lot of matches, like you said. I think we did a really good job, and it was great winning all of them, particularly the win against [then-No. 11] Notre Dame. But, now we have to do it again against Duke and North Carolina. We rested for a couple days, but now we have to get ready for the weekend.”
On the chemistry he has built with his doubles teammate Francisco Bastias, as the duo improved to 9-0 as a tandem following Sunday’s doubleheader…
“I think it is important that we have known each other since we were like eight years old. So, we have that chemistry; I don’t know how to explain it, but we have it. And I know when he is going to cross at the net and what he is going to do. I think he feels the same and we both feel confident in each other and what we are doing. I feel like that is the key to our success.”
On Aubone’s strengths as a player and how it helps them gel…
“Yeah, I think on the baseline, Francisco is very good. And that gives me confidence to move at the net. If I want to stay in place, I can stay, or if I want to cross, I can do it, because I know he is going to save me.”
On him and Aubone not having to make the college transition alone…
“I feel like that part was important to, because we came here without speaking English at a very high level and even still I am trying to work on my English. But we came here together, and we laugh and joke with one another on how difficult it was to understand everything being said in classes and at practice. But I think that was a good process and we are really feeling like we belong to this program.”
On the team’s mindset going into the weekend’s road matches against Duke and No. 11 North Carolina…
“We think that we are ready to win these matches. We have the necessary confidence to play with the big teams and to not play scared. So, I think this is the right moment to play against both Duke and North Carolina, who are great teams.”
On being enrolled at Miami for just over eight months and what the experience has been like…
“I think my teammates are the best. Aljosa Piric is also a great coach. I always felt that I would be comfortable here when I was choosing schools, and that is important because when you are from another country and you come here you don’t know anything. The team has made me feel like I am at home and they have given me the confidence to practice hard every day.”
My favorite professional tennis player is… Novak Djokovic
My favorite ice cream flavor is… Dulce de Leche
My favorite television show is… Friends
My favorite meal is… A steak
My favorite musical artist… Maluma
Other than tennis I like to… play video game and soccer
My favorite video game is… FIFA
