Alabama Women’s Tennis Q&A: Luca Fabian
2/28/2018 5:14:00 PM | Women's Tennis
RollTide.com will be posting Q&A's of each member on this year's Alabama women's tennis team so fans can get to know the members of our Crimson Tide family. The fourth Q&A is with Luca Fabian, a sophomore transfer from Georgia Tech. Fabian hails from Palhaza, Hungary and has posted a 5-4 mark in singles play in the spring.
Q: What is your favorite thing about your hometown?
A: My hometown feels calm and peaceful, and the vibrant green hills burst with life. I just feel at peace hiking in the mountains and walking in the forest with my family. It is exceptionally beautiful at the beginning of spring and autumn.
Q: If you could play tennis with anyone, who would it be?
A: I am sure I am not alone, but I would love to play tennis with Roger Federer. I am a really big fan of his, and I just admire the way he plays tennis and carries himself on the court. He is a great inspiration and an excellent role model.
Q: What is your favorite restaurant in Tuscaloosa?
A: It is not really a restaurant. I have a sweet tooth. My favorite place is probably Steel City Pops. Especially during the summer when I just want something cold and delicious. I love it!
Q: What is your favorite tennis memory?
A: My most prominent tennis experience was when I was 16 years old, and I played a grade one ITF. I went from the qualification to the 1st round and played a four and half hour long match against a top-seeded player. It was a battle of wills, and I remember I was so happy I managed to win I was crying. It felt like I won a Grand Slam.
Q: What is your favorite vacation spot?
A: That is a tough one. I love nature in general and very open to see and travel to new places. New Zealand looks beautiful on pictures, so I would like to visit it one day.
Q: What is your favorite movie and why?
A: I would say my favorite comedy movie would be Analyze This with Robert De Niro. I laughed through the whole film along with my family. It is a dear memory of mine.
Q: What is your dream job?
A: That is a twofold question. I am a bit of a dreamer. While I am still young, my dream would be to work with a corporation which has multiple outposts so I could travel the world, while knowing what I do has the potential to change people or animals lives for the better. It would be really nice to give something back when you receive so much.
Also, when I was younger, I fell in love with dolphins, so I would love to work with them on a lovely island. Or something to do with dogs, they never fail to make me smile.
Q: Who is your hero and why?
A: Well for one my mom, but if we are talking about outside of my family, I would say Nathaniel Buzolic, a Bulgarian actor who stars in the Originals television show series. It is not because what he had done as an actor or how he used his interviews to share his views and observations with the world, I admire him for that, but he is my hero because the impact he had on my life.
I stumbled on one of his interviews on YouTube, and he gave a speech about his belief in God and about hope at a time of my life where I was unsure of my future. It might be dramatic, but without listening to his multiple videos, I might have not ended up playing college tennis in the United States. I am ever so grateful to be here, and he was a big part of my decision of taking my chances.
Q: What is your favorite spot on campus and why?
A: I am pretty sure almost every teammate of mine is going to reply similarly. It has to be the tennis center. I think it is because of all the fun we have together. We are a big family.
Q: What other sports did you play growing up?
A: I played a lot of sports growing up, mostly because of my father's influence. He is an amazing sportsman, and he had a lot to teach. I played table tennis, swimming, skiing, soccer (that was a favorite), and a few other types that I tried here and there.
Q: How old were you when you started playing tennis and how did you get into it?
A: I was 10 years old when I started to play tennis. My father met with a tennis coach and he offered for the whole family to go and try it out. It was forgotten, and for half a year we didn't go. On my 10th birthday he asked me what would I like to do on my "Big Day," and I told him I wanted to play tennis. He laughed and called the coach. The next day I was on the court.
Q: What is your favorite thing about playing for Alabama?
A: What makes playing for Alabama unique to me is the people. My team, my coaches, the Crimson Racket club members, the fans. We have fantastic support, and you can't help but feel you are part of something bigger than yourself, something special.
Q: What is your major and what do you hope to do with it one day?
A: My major is International Business, and since I love to travel, I would enjoy to work for an international company and travel for work at different outposts for a few years. If I could settle down with my loved ones close to me later on in my career, that would be a dream come true.
Q: Describe yourself in three words…
A: Empathetic, open-minded, hopeful
Q: How many different countries have you traveled to and name a few of your favorites.
A: I have been to Hungary's neighboring countries: Austria, Slovakia, Serbia, Romania, Croatia and Ukraine due to tournaments. I loved Croatia, Dubrovnik is beautiful. I also enjoyed being in Germany and Italy. I am bit biased since my aunt lives in Milano, and the ice cream is fantastic there.
Q: If you could play another sport in college, what would it be?
A: I would probably play soccer. I used to play with my brother and his team. Also, later on with the primary school's girl team, we won the National Soccer Championship. I am quite proud of it. It was a lot of fun!
Q: If you can live in a book, TV show or movie what would it be?
A: If I could live in a book, it would be Harry Potter, just because magic sounds incredible and also very convenient, when I would lose something. It would be fascinating, but of course, I wouldn't want to live in the same era as He Who Must Not Be Named.
For a TV show, I would go with Suits. I would have loved to grow up along Harvey Specter or Mike Ross (the two main characters), go to Harvard and then become a savage lawyer in a famous law firm while becoming very, very, rich. The characters are loyal to a fault and also funny. They care for each other deeply.
For a movie, I would go with Avatar because the clan mentality and the way they live their lives in their paradise are appealing to me. I like glowing, shiny things in general for some unknown reason, so their world takes my breath away.
Q: What's your favorite holiday and why?
A: My favorite holiday is Christmas. It always had a special place in my heart, since I was small. It just has a unique spirit to it. It is about giving, caring, loving and sharing. I do not enjoy shopping that much, but I quite enjoy gift hunting. People are also smiling and wishing you happy holidays, and they look more relaxed and cheerful. You get together and reconnect with your family and implement love into your life and celebrate it with the people who matter to you the most. It is especially close to my heart since my mom's birthday is on the 25th of December.
Q: What would you like to say to the fans?
A: Dear Crimson Tide Fans,
I could go on and thank you a hundred times over for all the love, devotion and support you give us all; and it wouldn't be enough for your effort and work you put into Tuscaloosa's tennis life over the years. I do not have enough space for that here, but I hope thanking you here, and in person, can express the gratitude we feel from the bottom of my/our hearts. Our amazing coaches remind us regularly about the privileges we get to have because of You. We will do our very best to give something back, and we hope you will enjoy our games as much as we will. Thank you for your love of the sport, and for our team.
Forever grateful to you,
Luca
Q: What superhero would you be or what super power would you have and why?
A: Being a superhero has its drawbacks and being responsible for saving the world seems like a lot of responsibility to me. But if I could have a superpower, I would take Magik's power from Magik: Illyana and Storm comic. She can not only teleport herself and others through space, she can also teleport through time. Pretty exciting concept.
Q: Celebrity crush or favorite actor?
A: Ah, I kind of have a celebrity crush on one of my favorite actors. His name is Benedict Cumberbatch, and the first time I saw him in the Sherlock television series I was hooked. I think he is brilliant in the imitation game, and really, in everything he plays. (Que sigh) But most importantly he seems like a kind, charismatic and intelligent person who is very grateful to his fans. And funny, let's not forget he is funny...
Q: If you could be on any reality TV show, what would it be and why?
A: Well, being on a reality show is not really on my bucket list, but if I would have to choose I would go with Dancing with the Stars. I would love to learn how to dance properly.
Q: What is your favorite food or type of cuisine (i.e. Mexican, Italian, etc.)?
A: My favorite type of cuisine is unsurprisingly Hungarian cuisine. There is nothing like a homemade meal from your mom. Nothing can beat that.
Q: What actress would most likely play you in a movie?
A: Either Sandra Bullock or Blake Lively. I admire their talent and charisma on the screen. It would be an honor if any of them would play me.
Q: What are your pre-match rituals?
A: I like to sit down with a paper and pen and write down my purpose for the day, and my plan for the match. I like to write down how I feel about my game at the moment and an inspiration for the day. It clears my head. After my match, I go over what went well, and didn't. There is always a lot to learn and improve on.
Q: If you can switch places with anyone, who would it be and why?
A: I would switch places with James Wood. I chose him because he is said to have an IQ over 180 and he is also an actor. I would love to be able to experience the mind of a genius of that caliber, but his work as an actor is also very exciting. I think it would be a lot of fun even though I imagine it can be quite challenging.
Q: Who is your favorite athlete?
A: Well, my favorite athlete is Roger Federer, hands down. But he still can't beat the respect I have for my father. He is so passionate and enjoys it so much. He just loves sports, really. I am a bit jealous of his enthusiasm. He is 52 years old, but he is still going strong.
Q: Who is your favorite artist?
A: My favorite artist at the moment in music is Ed Sheeran. His work is just heartfelt and seems somehow genuine to me. I can't help but sing the lyrics whenever I hear his songs on the radio (for my brother's horror).
Q: If you could talk to any animal, what would it be and why?
A: If I could talk to an animal I would choose dogs. I love dogs, I have one at home, and I think they are one of the most loyal, kind and cheerful companions.
Q: If you could be any cartoon character, who would it be and why?
A: There is an older Hungarian cartoon movie based on a poem. It is called Mattie The Gooseboy. I would like to be Mattie. His loyal companion is a goose and he is cunning, smart, and pretty funny.
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