While working toward a master’s degree in public policy and administration, Alex Thams also finds time to play both doubles and singles for Northwestern. The Daily’s Brian Chappatta caught up with the graduate student to talk about his tennis tendencies.
Daily Sports: Being from Stockholm, what is the biggest difference between American tennis and Swedish tennis?Alex Thams: The biggest difference for me is that I didn’t really play team tennis before I came here, which has been a great experience. Tennis is an individual sport, and for the first time in my life, I really get to experience the team side of tennis. I’m having the time of my life playing for a team. DS: Tennis is one of the more physically grueling sports out there. What’s your regimen of keeping yourself in shape during the offseason?AT: I think of tennis as a sport where you’re never really out of season. You play tennis all year round. We work out five days a week and focus on getting stronger and in better shape. We want to be one of the stronger and most fit teams in the country.DS: How often do you watch pro tennis on television? What’s your favorite Grand Slam tournament to watch?AT: I follow a lot of tennis actually. It’s inspiring to watch the pros play. My favorite Grand Slam would be the French Open. The rallies are long and it’s a very physical match. You really see which players have the character to be their best.DS: What type of racket do you use and why?AT: I use a Babolat – the old Nadal racket. It gives a lot of power. I’m maybe not the strongest person, and it gives me a chance to get a lot of power and a lot of topspin. I have a western grip, so it just adds more topspin to my game.DS: What’s your favorite surface to play on?AT: I used to like clay and outdoor hard courts. My main advantage is I’m really fast, so it gives a competitive edge when you play outdoors because it’s slower. Playing for Northwestern for two years, Chris (Drake) and Arvid (Swan) have developed me to be a pretty good indoor player too.DS: What made you decide to come play here at NU?AT: I wanted to come to a great academic school and a great tennis program, and the choice fell upon Northwestern. It’s a very good school academically, and the tennis program is very good. It’s also interesting to start a new program with a new coach.DS: Who is the toughest opponent you’ve faced in college?AT: Somehow it feels a little bit more competitive when we play Wisconsin. We are actually playing them this weekend, so I’m sure it’ll be a pretty heated match.DS: Who is the toughest player you’ve faced on your own team in practice?AT: We have a lot of tough guys in different ways. We have a pretty diverse team, too. We have six or seven different game styles. We are all really competitive, so it’s hard to play anyone. DS: As an older member of the team, what words of wisdom do you give to the younger players?AT: Just to really make them understand the transition coming into college. We older guys really try to make the younger guys understand the competitive side of college. Just get out every day, be competitive, have a lot of energy and do your best.DS: What’s the most valuable thing you’ve learned from coach Swan since you arrived here last season?AT: He’s really developed my tough side. When I came here, I was – at least in their opinion – pretty weak. I gave in during some matches and had trouble with injuries, and now it just doesn’t really matter. I feel like I can just go on the courts and get the job done, and that can apply to real life too.
