First place winner in the Regional Valencia U18 Tournament in 2013 and a runner-up in 2014, business administration major with an international business minor Ana Navas is a junior and on the women’s tennis team.
When did you start playing tennis?
“It was kind of random. I’m from Spain and started play in the summer when I was nine years old and it wasn’t until I was 12 years old when I started playing during the week. I was kind of late, but I loved it.”
What made you start playing tennis?
“I think I have a very good coach that made me love tennis and I’m also a very competitive person. So, even though I was really young, I always wanted to compete and do things like that.”
How was your transition from Spain to NSU?
“Yeah, the culture is very different in Spain than here. But, Miami, for example, is very similar to mine in culture. It’s full of people that speak Spanish, which helps me. So, Miami is a really good place to visit and this university [NSU] is really good. I’m feeling good. I’m fine here and comfortable; happy with everyone.”
What has been your favorite part of being part of the team?
“I haven’t been on the team that long. This is my second semester but I’m loving it. I love the facilities, I love the attention, the coaches. My teammates are really nice, they have supported me a lot since I came here. The weather … I’m pretty happy with everything.”
How do you balance sports, academics and your social life? How has that been?
“It’s tough to do everything at the same time but if you work hard and you are organized with your studies, your practices and classes, I think you are fine and you will have time for everything.”
Can you tell me about a favorite memory or moment you had playing tennis here at NSU?
“I can’t really think about a specific moment. We have had some many fun moments, for example, before practices we usually sing, dance and hear music, but I can’t think about a specific moment. The season hasn’t started yet but the team chemistry when we are together is amazing, we sing, and we dance.”
Do you consider your team your second home?
“You have more games with some people than others, but I like everyone. I’m very happy with everyone on my team.”
What’s your favorite thing to do after a match?
“I would eat an avocado toast. Eat, change and support my teammates and then go to the beach.”
How has your experience at NSU been so far?
“It has been really good. Everyone has been supportive, the coaches have been nice, the teammates and the people here in general. The classes, the academics are really good in this university as well as tennis and sports.”
What do you plan to do after college?
“I still have next year before graduating but I don’t know what exactly I would do. I would like to do my master’s, I don’t know if [I’d like to study] in the United States though. I would love to do something related to tennis since I love tennis, like volunteer or [be an] assistant and then get my master’s here. Or maybe go back to Europe and apply to universities where they give you scholarships if you compete, still playing tennis. So those two options since I still want to have something tennis related after I graduate.”
If you had never played tennis, what do you think you would been doing?
“I love sports so if I didn’t played tennis I would have done anything, probably soccer. I really like soccer and my favorite team is Real Madrid.”
What are some hobbies you have other than tennis?
“I like going to the cinema, watching movies and relaxing. We don’t get to relax so much and spend time my family, friends and people I love. Also, I really like playing soccer … I’m a very active person, so I always like to be doing something.”
