Serve and Volley: Sophomore Mari Muller
3/15/2005 12:00:00 AM | Women's Tennis
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Mari Muller is one of five girls on Alabama’s tennis team not from the United States. According to head coach Jenny Mainz, she is also one of the toughest competitors she’s ever met. Muller, a sophomore from Rio Negro, Argentina, has been an integral part of Alabama’s team over the last two seasons. She’s also one of the most energetic and creative members of the team and we captured a little bit of that energy in this edition of Serve and Volley.
The Serve: Do you have any unique talents that we should know about?
The Volley: Well, I was a gymnast in Argentina for about 10 years. I started playing when I was three years old. I was a gymnast longer than I have been a tennis player.
S: So how did you get started in tennis then?
V: Two courts were built in my home town and so my mom bought me a little pink tennis skirt and outfit. She took me to the courts and I loved it. No one could pull me away from the courts. I stayed there 24/7.
S: If you could play doubles with anyone in the world, who would you choose to play with?
V: Paola Suarez. She’s a tennis player from Argentina. She was the No. 1 doubles player in the world. Not many people know about her because Argentina doesn’t put a lot of emphasis on tennis. But that’s who I’d love to play with.
S: You’re from Argentina and not many people know a lot about Argentina outside of Evita. Tell us a little about your home country.
V: Oh, I love the culture there. Things are very laid back and easy going in Argentina but you have to work hard to get where you want to go.
S: So do you have any rituals or superstitions that you have to stick to before or during a match?
V: Yeah. I have to play with the same ball that I just won a point with...maybe I shouldn’t say that if opponents are reading this. Even if the ball is on the other court I’ll go chase it or have someone throw it to me. I also make up rituals. If I do something that works then I’ll keep doing it, like if I walk one way to get to the court then I’ll do it again if it works.
S: Coach Mainz said she jokes around with you about being a boxer because you are such a fighter on the court. So have you ever wanted to lace up the gloves and box a round or two?
V: That’s actually something that not many people know about me. I have always wanted to learn how to defend myself and I will fight to defend someone that I care about.
S: Alright, this is the creative part of the interview. If you could describe yourself as an animal on the court, which animal would you be?
V: Well, I’m different on the court with teammates than I am with opponents. I don’t know...a panther. I just think it looks cool!
S: Yes, panthers do look cool! Have you ever had a nickname? Do they call you panther?
V: No, but the girls call me Deser.
S: What does that mean?
V: It’s just something that we made up.
S: Okay, have you ever coined your own phrase or made up your own word then?
V: Who Marcell?
S: So is that an inside joke too?
V: Yes
