Q&A With Marianne Eelens
2/16/2007 12:00:00 AM | Women's Tennis
Feb. 16, 2007
When did you first begin playing tennis?
"When I was 12-13, I started once a week, and after a year I got into it and started playing twice a week, three times a week and then up to six. Eventually I was practicing every day."
Did you play any other sports? What made you choose tennis over those?
"I grew up playing different sports. I did gymnastics, boxing, soccer and I windsurfed. I have two older brothers, so basically everything they did, I did.
"I guess I just always wanted to get better at it (tennis). With gymnastics and other stuff, I liked it, but I wasn't as passionate. I liked getting better at tennis, I liked winning points and if I would lose I wanted to practice more."
Who has been the biggest influence in your tennis career?
"I've had a lot of coaches. My parents are really relaxed about it. My dad will come and watch, he doesn't know a lot about it, but he's there for support. I was mostly there for myself; I don't think anyone could have made me do it. It was basically just me that really wanted it. No one could have made me practice as much as I did."
When did you first decide you wanted to continue playing tennis at the college level?
"In Aruba, tennis isn't the same. I was ranked No. 1 in Aruba, but I had to play with guys to get better. I couldn't keep playing with guys, so my senior year I moved to a tennis academy to have more competition and practice against other girls. In Tampa (at Saddlebrook Tennis Academy), I had more competition and more coaching. I had put so much time into tennis already so I came to college in the states. A lot of people from Aruba go to college in Holland and Belgium, but I came here so I could combine my tennis and athletics."
How have the other girls on the team who are from Michigan helped with your adjustment to the area?
"Being from here they know everything. They would help me with food or clothes, where to get a social security card. They had cars, so they would help me out, and their parents are always there. I still ask them a lot of things that I don't know, even around campus I'll ask them a lot about where I have to go for this or that."
I know your father came over in the fall, but otherwise, how often are you able to see your family? Is that really difficult, or are you able to speak with them fairly often?
"I see them over the summer and over Christmas break. It's not worth it to go home for a short trip because it's so expensive. My parents try to come when they can, like my dad did for the Spartan Cup. They want to come in the spring, right after classes end, but before summer school starts. It is a long time to not see them, but the internet is awesome. I have MSN so I talk to my dad every night before I go to bed, and my mom and I e-mail a lot. We don't call as much, because it's expensive, but I've adjusted pretty well, and knowing that I'm not the only person on the team who is international helps. I'm close with Ana (Milosavljevic), so whenever I'm down or homesick she knows exactly what I'm feeling, which makes it a lot easier. This year has been easier than my first year. I know what I'm expecting, I know a lot of people and it makes it a lot easier to get through the harder days."
What has been your best memory with the team?
"We've had a lot. I really like when we all get together and watch Grey's Anatomy, or watch movies with all of us. Also, last year when we went to Big Ten's we had a huge bus for the eight of us and we did a comedy show, sang, and everyone acted goofy. That was really fun, and something we still talk about."
How does having such great supporters help the team when you are competing at home?
"It helps a lot to have them behind you when it gets hard or you're under a lot of pressure. The people are really into it and there to motivate you. They support the whole team and are really there for us. We had the clinic in the fall with former players and other players, and that's when I really met them and we started talking. Now, with the matches it goes really fast, but it's nice they come and watch even though we can't really talk to them."
What was it like participating in the National Girls and Women's in Sports Day?
"Its cool they have something like that. Sometimes men's teams are more in the spotlight so it's nice they have something for women. Also, it's good for people to get to know you, and to get the recognition. We give the kids posters and our autographs, try to get them to play tennis and you feel like they look up to you. It's good to be in college sports, and good for kids to get to know you and see what it's about."
What advice would you give to future Spartans about adjusting to college life as an athlete?
"Just work hard. It's going to be hard and everyone is tired. Of course, you're going to have good days and bad days. When the coaches are happy you know it will pay off. Set priorities. Mostly it's just tennis and school, and you have a little time for social life, but that's not a priority. After first semester you learn to balance."
What was it like adjusting to college play coming from Aruba where you were ranked No. 1?
"Tennis is more fun because there is a lot of competition and everyone wants to beat each other, and you all want to get better. Aside from that, I feel like I've learned a lot, but even more I've grown a lot as a person. My English has gotten better, I'm getting used to the environment, the culture, the weather and the people. I like change and Michigan is the opposite of Aruba. I see it as a good thing that I came to a completely different place, and I think its good I came to this side of the world to see how different things can be."