On Wednesday afternoon, Student Life sat down with junior Brian Alvo to discuss tennis, the weather and Spain.

Q: How old were you when you started playing tennis?

A: I had my first lesson when I was six and cried on my way to the tennis courts because I didn’t want to play. I thought it was a stupid sport. My mom made me go to it basically. We didn’t even hit a ball…we just ran around the court for an hour, and I loved it. It just stuck.

Q: What tennis players do you admire most and why?

A: Lleyton Hewitt for his competitive spirit and the use of his assets, like his speed and his mental toughness. And I used to admire Michael Chang for some of the same reasons and his work ethic.

Q: Do you have any thoughts on the argument that women’s tennis is more popular than men’s tennis?

A: Professionally, I don’t think it’s true…because you see a lot more weapons. Except for American women’s tennis, I think men’s tennis has more spunk to it in terms of personalities…like Andre Agassi is thirty-three and dominating the world, it’s an incredible story. But I am not sexist, it is just relative, that’s all.

Q: What do you think the team’s chances are at UAAs this year?

A: Pretty strong. We are playing Emory, our conference foe, on our home court. We couldn’t have asked for a better opportunity, and our talent far exceeds what we have had before. I don’t know, though I would say our chances are better than in recent years.

Q: How would you describe the seniors on the team this year?

A: Experienced…they’ve seen a lot of changes in the program. I respect them a lot…different aspects of their tennis and academics.

Q: What has Coach Follmer brought to the program?

A: Organization. A firm base for what we need to succeed and just a positive outlook.

Q: What is the average number of hours you spend on the tennis court per week?

A: On average, I’d say about 20 hours a week. But during the season that’s a different story, probably a lot more.

Q: What do you consider your biggest on-court achievement?

A: Last fall when I won the Rolex Regional Tournament. I had never won a tournament that big before. I had been in the finals of some tournaments in Miami, but never won a really big one.

Q: Did going abroad last semester affect your game?

A: Well…it put me in pretty bad physical shape. But it made me realize there are other things out there besides tennis…basically it opened my eyes to other things, but I started neglecting some of the things I had been doing for tennis most of my life.

Q: Did you play while you were in Spain?

A: I tried to play two or three hours a week…until I lost my rackets. I left them on a train.

Q: That couldn’t have been good for your game?

A: Well I only lost two. I had one left, so I could still play.

Q: What is your favorite tennis stroke?

A: My backhand up the line because I can hit it with pretty good precision, and it’s always an unexpected shot.

Q: How many rackets do you use per match?

A: On average, probably two. At least one string breaks each time I’d say, and it always seems to be ill-timed.

Q: So do you make the freshmen restring your rackets for you?

A: Uh, no…but we should! They have random crap to do like get the balls and stupid stuff like that, but yeah, maybe in the future…that’s a good idea.

Q: What is your favorite conditioning drill?

A: I always enjoy jumping rope. I am actually one of the better jump-ropers on the team, so that makes me feel good. I also enjoy sprints. I can hold my own in the middle, but I am one of the worst athletes on the team…I am just a good tennis player.

Q: What is your favorite hobby besides tennis?

A: Interesting…I don’t want to say eating…I don’t really have one…I guess eating actually. Eating or sleeping. I love to eat. I get in better shape for the season, but I guess that’s why I sometimes suffer in the off-season because I eat so much.

Q: What is something our readers would be surprised to know about you?

A: Underneath my exterior I am a pretty humble and sensitive guy. Sometimes people think because I am blunt I don’t care about people, but I am a lot more sensitive than people think. I care a lot about people, despite what they might think.

Q: Do you have any hidden talents?

A: Hidden talents, uh no. Well actually…I played the drums in high school for three years and take music lessons here also. That’s kind of a hidden talent.

Q: What do you miss most about Florida?

A: The warm weather-without question. And the beautiful people all over. I like being outside, and sometimes St. Louis weather precludes that from happening, which is very annoying.

Q: Last one…if you could ask me a question, what would it be?

A: Hmm…[Smiling] So how do you like being from West Virginia?

Q: Great Question!! It’s absolutely awesome…I LOVE IT!!

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