Alabama Men's Tennis Catching Up with the Crimson: Edson Ortiz
9/11/2017 10:25:00 AM | Men's Tennis
With the school year underway, Alabama Men's Tennis Q&A's will be conducted throughout the fall to introduce and catch up with players on the team. The third Q&A is catching up with Edson Ortiz, a sophomore from Chihuahua, Mexico.
What inspired you to start playing tennis?
"I started to play tennis because my brother would take lessons and it was when I was just three years old so my mom couldn't leave me home alone. Â So I would go and watch my brother practice all day, I liked it, I liked seeing him play."
What made you want to come over from Mexico to the U.S. to play tennis?
"In the beginning my goal was to go pro, college wasn't in my mind. I was practicing in Spain and I started to learn more about college tennis and getting a scholarship. Then, I moved to Florida and I was closer to coaches and coaches started to send me messages and that's how I started to know about universities and came here."
What's the biggest difference playing here compared to back home?
"Back home there are not many players you can compete with, most of them that I grew up with are studying, they just don't have time. Here we have six guys who we can all play with each other, we are all a really similar level, I don't know how many universities where the entire team can play good tennis like we can."
How do the universities in Mexico compare to the universities here?
"Well there is no NCAA Division I. Here we get everything, we get gear, rackets, strings, and we travel. There if you want to travel and play for the school you have to pay yourself."
When did you start getting recruited by Alabama?
"Around a year ago I played some tournaments and played very good. I got a message from Robbie (Weiss) and they were interested in me and we talked on the phone. I took my visit and then I committed."
Why did you choose to come here?
"I went to visit the University of Miami and I was real impressed. But then I came here and George (Husack) picked me up from the airport, it was pretty late when we got to Tuscaloosa and he drove around campus a little bit and I got a feeling that this was the place."
How is this year different? This time last year you weren't even here yet.
"It's actually really weird because I feel like I've been here for three years. I feel like this place is my home."
How does it feel being back on campus?
"Of course I miss my family a lot, but at the same time I miss the guys as well. I wanted to come back here and go to classes and practice. I enjoy it a lot, I love campus, it's beautiful."
What are your expectations for the year?
"We have six guys now, with Mazen (Osama) and others coming in January, I think we're going to be a very good team this season. We are all committed and we want to get better, not only as tennis players but as people. We have goals on and off the court, we have a pretty high team GPA. I'm expecting a lot from the guys and I'm expecting a lot from myself."
What are your individual and team goals?
"Well right now short term I was injured during the summer, so now it's getting back in shape. We have our first competition September 22nd so I want to be physically ready for that. Tennis wise, I want to get my feel again and getting my strokes clean."
Players Mentioned
