SPORTS EDITOR – OTONIEL GONZALEZ
ORIGINALLY PRINTED ON APRIL 6, 2023
Student-athletes face incredible pressure in their attempt to perform at their best, both in the academic scene and within their teams. Sometimes, their effort is not appreciated. St. Mary’s sophomore and member of the St. Mary’s tennis team, Alvaro Soler, has played tennis since childhood. He is currently studying finance and risk management here at St. Mary’s. Soler is 20 years old and is ranked top 60 in the region. His passion for the sport has only grown stronger with time. Despite the challenges of balancing academics and athletics, Alvaro is able to excel in both areas, all while striving to make a positive impact on his team.
Soler was born in Spain and raised in Alicante, a coastal city in southern Barcelona. He began playing tennis with his father as a child and enrolled in a national tennis school when he was seven. His stepfather, Manolo Sandoval, one of the best tennis coaches in Spain, guided and helped him compete nationally from the age of eight. Soler thanks his coach for instilling the values of competitiveness, dedication and the importance of the mental game in his tennis. Two years after enrolling in the Montemar tennis school, his team won the Spanish Team Championship.
Like many other Spaniards, one of Soler’s t ennis idols is Rafael Nadal, who he believes embodies the values of hard work and sacrifice. He shares that “values such as hard work and sacrifice have influenced his game and helped him develop a strong mentality,” which he shares is his biggest strength on the court. Soler’s fighting spirit, positive attitude and ability to keep a cool head during important moments set him apart from his opponents. This fighting spirit translates to battle for every point. Alvaro shares that “mental strength has allowed him to beat opponents who are much better at playing tennis.”
When preparing for a match, Soler emphasizes the importance of eating well, getting enough sleep and staying relaxed. He usually listens to Bad Bunny music, which helps him to keep focused and calm. During a match, Soler focuses on keeping his energy high, moving his feet and putting into practice what he’s learned in training. His teammates cheering for him on the sidelines helps bring out his best.
For Alvaro, the most challenging part of being a student-athlete “is knowing how to manage your time. St. Mary’s provides athletes with support services to help them manage their schedules.” During his free time, Soler enjoys listening to music, reading and spending time with friends.
Almost three weeks ago, Soler won a match against the player ranked first in the region. He summarized the game in two words: physical and mental. This player had an impressive playing abilit and Alvaro shares that “he had seen few people with such good hands.” His coach had given him a straightforward way to approach the match, “staying consistent all the time without making mistakes.” The match was intense, but Soler won the first set with great tennis. In the second set, “my opponent was much more aggressive and going to the net all the time.” Soler ended up losing the second set. At the start of the third set, all indicated the match would go to Soler’s opponent. However, remaining faithful to his fighting spirit, Soler fought with all his heart to turn it around and win the game. Despite the fact the team lost, “this victory was a reward for all the hard work I have been putting since I arrived at the university.”
Coach Macom is glad to have someone like Soler compete for the team every game. He points out that a key factor in Soler’s success is that “he enjoys playing the game and brings a positive energy every day.” Coach Macom believes that “if he keeps working, stays healthy, and stays focused, he can be [in the] top 10 or top 20 for the rest of his tennis career.”
Soler’s aims to positively influence his team by giving his best effort every day and pushing his teammates to do the same. He believes that the thrill of competition is what makes tennis so special.
For those who want to succeed in tennis, Soler’s advice is to never give up, stay positive and work hard. He believes tennis requires sacrifice and a strong mindset, but the rewards are worth it. Despite the challenges, Soler has found joy and fulfillment in his tennis journey and hopes to continue to inspire others to pursue their dreams with the same passion and dedication that he brings to his own.