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Family Traditions Drive Alabama Men’s Tennis Graduate Student Alexey Nesterov
2/25/2021 5:23:00 PM | Men's Tennis
The Moscow, Russia, native has been encouraged and inspired by his family to strive for excellence in all areas of the collegiate experience
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – Alexey Nesterov picked up a tennis racquet at the age of six, striving since that point to be the best he can be on the court. That drive to excel came from someone who knows a thing or two about athletic excellence.
"Ever since I picked up a tennis racquet I have been striving to become as good of an athlete as my grandma was, and that's the reason for any of my achievements in tennis," Nesterov said.
Alexey's grandmother, Klara (Guseva) Nesterova, was a speed skater, who among her other accomplishments, won gold in the 1,000-meters at the 1960 Olympic Games in Squaw Valley.
"I have always been very proud of her achievements and the way she carried herself around others," Nesterov said. "She was always optimistic, energetic, caring and ready to move heaven and earth for those she loved."
In addition to providing her grandson with a positive role model in day-to-day life, she also motivated him to always push to be better.
"The stories she told me about her career definitely inspired me and made me want to achieve big things in sports," Nesterov said.
A graduate student in his final year with the Crimson Tide, Nesterov has made an impact on the Crimson Tide's lineup since day one, with ranked wins throughout his first four years and time spent ranked nationally in doubles with Riccardo Roberto in the fall of 2019.
Tennis isn't the only area Nesterov has excelled in since arriving in Tuscaloosa. The Moscow, Russia, native is a four-year ITA Scholar-Athlete and a 2020 CoSIDA At-Large Team Academic All-District honoree. He posted a perfect 4.0 grade point average on his way to a bachelor's degree in finance, and is now working on a master's degree in the same discipline.
Once again, family has been the impetus on his success.
"My parents, especially my mom, have been a huge part of my success in the classroom," Nesterov said. "They have always told me that while it's great to be an athlete, it's also equally, if not more, important to have a good education. In high school there were plenty of times when I struggled to manage all the schoolwork with a challenging practice schedule and never-ending tournaments, but my parents were always there for me to help in any way possible."
Nesterov and his teammates return to action this weekend in Tuscaloosa, facing Southeastern Conference foes Kentucky and Vanderbilt. The Tide will face the Wildcats Friday starting at 6 p.m. CT and the Commodores on Sunday at 1 p.m. CT.
Due to health and safety considerations in addition to the current guidelines, attendance at Alabama tennis home competitions is on a first-come, first-serve basis until reaching capacity if the matches are played outdoors. Facial coverings must be worn at all times unless eating or drinking. If matches are played indoors, there will be no spectators allowed.
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