If you’ve read some of our previous blogs or social media posts you’ll know that we are big believers in the US College system for young tennis players.

But is this option a good fit for you/your child? In the latest in our US College guest blog series we hear from former SotoTennis Academy player Pablo Aycart from Spain. Pablo has just finished his Freshman year at the University of Miami in Florida, after training at STA for 3 years.

Find out how he’s found life and tennis in the US College system and his advice for those who are looking into tennis scholarships.…

 

My Freshman Year

After 3 years training at SotoTennis Academy and studying at Sotogrande International School, I chose to leave Spain where I had spent my whole life to come to the US to continue my tennis career combined with a college degree.

Going to US college was always an option for me, but I also wanted to be a professional tennis player, so in the beginning I was not sure whether to come or not, but as time progressed I realised that moving to the US was the plan for me. When I came to visit the University of Miami I did not want to go back and I have loved every second of it since I arrived. Having just finished my Freshman year, I consider this year the best of my life so far.

Miami was a place that I have always loved so when I was offered a place there to study and play tennis at the highest level, I could not resist. It is hard to imagine the level of College tennis for someone who has not seen it, but I can say from my experience that it is extremely high and competitive. Everyone represents and fights for their universities and every match you play is a battle. The University of Miami competes in the ACC conference, which in my opinion is one of the toughest conferences, if not the toughest. We play against the best universities in the country and face many top players who are highly ranked in the ATP.

My freshman year has been incredible; it is really tough to describe everything I went through this year as the stories are endless but it has been a lot of fun. There are many great experiences that I will never forget: from having to wake up at 4:30am for Pre-season in the Fall to beating top teams in the country in the Spring.

College life is amazing, and as a Student-Athlete I would say it is even better. You meet new people, travel around the country with your team, go to support other sports from the university…. All of that and more, combined with academics while playing your sport. My only advice would be to enjoy it as much as possible because time flies and this is for sure the best phase of my life so far.

Playing College tennis has helped me to develop many different skills: You play as a team and you have to face a lot of pressure. Team goals are big: you have to beat the best teams in the country and that requires performing at your best and giving unconditional effort every time you step on the court.

SotoTennis values of ‘pressure is a privilege’ and ‘controlling the controllables’ are very useful here. SotoTennis has always been there for me from a very young age and we have created a family environment, which I can always rely on. They follow me everywhere I go and I come back to them every chance I get.

To conclude, US college is an unbelievable experience. For those who are planning on going, enjoy it! And for the ones that are not sure, I totally recommend it. The feelings and experiences cannot be described until you go through it.

My first year has been incredible and I look forward to the next three. GO CANES!

Pablo Aycart

Former ACES Student at SotoTennis Academy

The ACES Programme with SotoTennis Academy and Sotogrande International School allows players to combine both tennis and academics to a high level and secure US College scholarships.

Want to find out more about our ACES Programme? Check out our Virtual Open Day Video Playlist which gives you access to all parts of the ACES programme and how it could work for you or your child.

Or for more information or to book a trial, email us at info@sototennis.com

Read the other blogs in our US College guest blog series:

• US College: Freshman Year – Ryan Gaskin (May 2018)
• US College: My Experience – Joe Smithyman (April 2018)