Michigan State University Athletics
Timotin and Zdrubecka: International Language of Tennis
4/1/2020 11:24:00 AM | Women's Tennis
EAST LANSING, Mich. – Michigan State tennis players Dagmar Zbrubecka and Jennifer Timotin grew up in different places, speaking different languages. Zbrubecka, a native of the Czech Republic, and Timotin, of Ireland, are now teammates because of the universal spirit of tennis.
Freshman Zdrubecka and sophomore Timotin wanted to go to a tennis program and university where they felt valued - even if it was thousands of miles away from home and for Zdrubecka, who has competed everywhere from the Bahamas to Panama to throughout Europe, she needed to be impressed.
"The effort of the coaches into getting me on the team…they flew down to Florida just to watch me play…just for me. And it was mainly that reason, they showed a lot of effort and proved to me that they wanted me on this team," said Zdrubecka said, who has experience playing in International Tennis Federation events.
Zdrubecka's past experience in the ITF and domestic play brings different elements to her game, which now serve her well playing in the Big Ten.
"Traveling helped me a lot, I got to play on different surfaces like red clay, got to play on grass, even though we play on hardcourt that gives me a variety of what I can do on the court," Zdrubecka said.
Being an international student comes with pros and cons, and the two players learned how to manage to adjust to their new environment. Zbrubecka had attended the International School in Naples, Fla. before coming to MSU, so she had some familiarity with the U.S., but college was something new.
"I was shy at first; it's definitely different. The biggest reason is that I can speak another language that no one else does that's for sure. The big disadvantage is that I don't get to go home as often but it's definitely a good change, it gives me a lot of independence. I was definitely happy to get out my country and live somewhere else," said Zdrubecka, who has played at No. 6 singles and No. 3 doubles for MSU so far.
Timotin had an easier adjustment, as she had the same native English language and was playing for Fresno State when she decided to transfer to MSU.
"I had a pretty awful year (at Fresno State), there were aspects about the team environment that didn't really sit well with me, so when I made the decision to transfer, Associate Coach Tyler (Faulkner) reached out to me we talked on the phone, I came to visit. I basically spent two days with just Tyler and head coach Kim Bruno; the fact that I wasn't sick of them of them at all and obviously MSU has a better ranking academically and athletically in tennis factored in my decision," Timotin said.
Timotin had a smoother adjustment to MSU, as she was already in the U.S. and playing in college. She has played at No. 5 and 6 singles and No. 1 and 2 doubles this season for MSU.
"I had some difficulty at the start just kind of getting used to the different sort of training styles in the weight room or on court with the different coaches because obviously last year I had one way of
training and then I got thrown into a completely different way…everything else I had already spent a year in college I kind of knew what the deal was," Timotin said.
Timotin comes with significant international experience, having represented Ireland in the Fed Cup, a competition where the best players from each country play in a team format.
"I played the Fed Cup twice/three times now," she said. "It's just a really great experience representing your country and it's a totally different experience and environment. You definitely have to present your best self when your there emotionally and how you act on court and off court. It really did help my game and I got to meet some incredible people doing it so it was definitely one of the highlights of my tennis career so far."
Everything from the academics to the athletic program itself had Zdrubecka and Timotin interested in coming to MSU, but certain aspects of Michigan keeps them here.
"Whole Foods; the fact that there is a Whole Foods and Chick-Fil-A, is one of my favorite things about Lansing," Timotin said, as Zdrubecka laughed in agreement.
Surprisingly, Michigan does ring of some similarities back home.
"St. Patrick's day will be interesting spending here because obviously it's such a big thing at home and I heard it's an incredibly big thing here as well. I do miss home but I do love Michigan and I love the snow…I like the people and the environment around here," Timotin said.
Coach Kim Bruno and Faulkner do their part as well in helping both international players adjust to Michigan.
"The language barrier with Dagmar is a little different but it's fun it brings a little life and different views on things; sometimes they don't get sarcasm or little things like that, so we have to be understanding of that and understanding where they're coming from. We literally did the Irish jig prior to our match the other day because Jen (Timotin) was teaching us a little bit about that and Dagmar shared with us some things about the Czech Republic, whether it's the food that she's eating or what her and her dad like to do on the weekend," Bruno said.
Naturally, it makes for a different experience being the only two foreign players on the team, but sports can close any cultural gap.
"It's just me and Dagmar who are international students, so it's kind of fun when me or her say something that's pretty different to the other girls and they're like, 'Hold up what does that mean?' So, it brings a little bit of fun and excitement especially when the other girls absolutely die when I say something that's completely Irish; it brings a different layer to the team," Timotin said.
A different layer that binds its characteristics on the court.
"Tennis is the universal language that we all come to on the same page. No matter where you are all over the world, tennis brings us together," Bruno said.
Freshman Zdrubecka and sophomore Timotin wanted to go to a tennis program and university where they felt valued - even if it was thousands of miles away from home and for Zdrubecka, who has competed everywhere from the Bahamas to Panama to throughout Europe, she needed to be impressed.
"The effort of the coaches into getting me on the team…they flew down to Florida just to watch me play…just for me. And it was mainly that reason, they showed a lot of effort and proved to me that they wanted me on this team," said Zdrubecka said, who has experience playing in International Tennis Federation events.
Zdrubecka's past experience in the ITF and domestic play brings different elements to her game, which now serve her well playing in the Big Ten.
"Traveling helped me a lot, I got to play on different surfaces like red clay, got to play on grass, even though we play on hardcourt that gives me a variety of what I can do on the court," Zdrubecka said.
Being an international student comes with pros and cons, and the two players learned how to manage to adjust to their new environment. Zbrubecka had attended the International School in Naples, Fla. before coming to MSU, so she had some familiarity with the U.S., but college was something new.
"I was shy at first; it's definitely different. The biggest reason is that I can speak another language that no one else does that's for sure. The big disadvantage is that I don't get to go home as often but it's definitely a good change, it gives me a lot of independence. I was definitely happy to get out my country and live somewhere else," said Zdrubecka, who has played at No. 6 singles and No. 3 doubles for MSU so far.
Timotin had an easier adjustment, as she had the same native English language and was playing for Fresno State when she decided to transfer to MSU.
"I had a pretty awful year (at Fresno State), there were aspects about the team environment that didn't really sit well with me, so when I made the decision to transfer, Associate Coach Tyler (Faulkner) reached out to me we talked on the phone, I came to visit. I basically spent two days with just Tyler and head coach Kim Bruno; the fact that I wasn't sick of them of them at all and obviously MSU has a better ranking academically and athletically in tennis factored in my decision," Timotin said.
Timotin had a smoother adjustment to MSU, as she was already in the U.S. and playing in college. She has played at No. 5 and 6 singles and No. 1 and 2 doubles this season for MSU.
"I had some difficulty at the start just kind of getting used to the different sort of training styles in the weight room or on court with the different coaches because obviously last year I had one way of
training and then I got thrown into a completely different way…everything else I had already spent a year in college I kind of knew what the deal was," Timotin said.
Timotin comes with significant international experience, having represented Ireland in the Fed Cup, a competition where the best players from each country play in a team format.
"I played the Fed Cup twice/three times now," she said. "It's just a really great experience representing your country and it's a totally different experience and environment. You definitely have to present your best self when your there emotionally and how you act on court and off court. It really did help my game and I got to meet some incredible people doing it so it was definitely one of the highlights of my tennis career so far."
Everything from the academics to the athletic program itself had Zdrubecka and Timotin interested in coming to MSU, but certain aspects of Michigan keeps them here.
"Whole Foods; the fact that there is a Whole Foods and Chick-Fil-A, is one of my favorite things about Lansing," Timotin said, as Zdrubecka laughed in agreement.
Surprisingly, Michigan does ring of some similarities back home.
"St. Patrick's day will be interesting spending here because obviously it's such a big thing at home and I heard it's an incredibly big thing here as well. I do miss home but I do love Michigan and I love the snow…I like the people and the environment around here," Timotin said.
Coach Kim Bruno and Faulkner do their part as well in helping both international players adjust to Michigan.
"The language barrier with Dagmar is a little different but it's fun it brings a little life and different views on things; sometimes they don't get sarcasm or little things like that, so we have to be understanding of that and understanding where they're coming from. We literally did the Irish jig prior to our match the other day because Jen (Timotin) was teaching us a little bit about that and Dagmar shared with us some things about the Czech Republic, whether it's the food that she's eating or what her and her dad like to do on the weekend," Bruno said.
Naturally, it makes for a different experience being the only two foreign players on the team, but sports can close any cultural gap.
"It's just me and Dagmar who are international students, so it's kind of fun when me or her say something that's pretty different to the other girls and they're like, 'Hold up what does that mean?' So, it brings a little bit of fun and excitement especially when the other girls absolutely die when I say something that's completely Irish; it brings a different layer to the team," Timotin said.
A different layer that binds its characteristics on the court.
"Tennis is the universal language that we all come to on the same page. No matter where you are all over the world, tennis brings us together," Bruno said.
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