STATESBORO, Ga.  –  Over the next week and a half we meet each of Eagles on the women's tennis team and learn a little bit more about each of the ladies. Next up is sophomore Arianne de Winter from Nieuwerkerk A/D Ijssel, Netherlands. De Winter played primarily in the No. 3 position, but bounced between the No. 2 and No. 3 slots throughout the year. During doubles play de Winter played alongside of captain and senior Giulia Riepe, winning five matches.

What do you enjoy most about playing tennis?
I enjoy tennis as much as I do, because I like the game itself. The way you must use different tactics and adjust them during the match makes no match the same. In the end the one that wins is often the smarter player.

What age did you start playing tennis?
I had a racket in my hand as soon as I could walk. My whole family used to play tennis, which made me be in the courts with them. My actual first practice was at the age of six.

When/why did you decide tennis was going to be your sport you concentrated on?
Besides Tennis, I used to play field hockey growing up. I was injured a lot because I did too much, so when I was 11 years old I decided to quit field hockey and only focus on tennis.

What are you most looking forward to about the upcoming season?
I am looking forward to this season a lot because of all the changes that have been made in the last month. I am most excited about it because I feel like we have grown a lot as a team and know we can do a lot out there this season.

Who has had the greatest influence on your game?
My mind is the biggest influence on my game. No one has as much influence on your game as you do yourself.

If you could meet anyone, past or present, who would it be?
I would have loved to be able to meet my grandma.

What do most people not know about you?
Most people probably do not know that I am actually really shy.


Quick Hitters:
 
Favorite Athlete:  Roger Federer
Biggest Thrill in Sports:  When you are down in a match and still find a way to win, especially when this makes the team win the match.
Goals upon Graduation:  The Sunbelt ring with the team, get a 4.0 GPA in a semester and win the team GPA award every single year.
Hobbies:   Hang out with friends, be at the beach, listen to music and watch Netflix.
Other sports you played growing up:   Ballet and field hockey
Relatives involved in athletics:   Both my parents, sister and brother used to play tennis, soccer or field hockey. My brother still plays field hockey and my mom still plays tennis.
Favorite tennis player(s) to watch:   Roger Federer
Favorite non-tennis athletes: Max Verstappen
Hidden/special talents: Team player, the team is more important than myself. Good listener and always trying to help other people.
Favorite Food:  I should say the typical Dutch food, but I like Mexican too.
Favorite dessert:   Anything with chocolate.
Favorite type of music: The music you can sing along with in the car.
 
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