All the world’s a court – LSU’s international tennis players come together for love of the game

The small black motorbike growls to a halt at the line between sunshine and shade striping the bright pavement outside LSU’s W.T. “Dub” Robinson Tennis Stadium. Chris Simpson—20, slender, helmeted—slides off his ride.

“Good ahhftah-noon,” he says with a Jagger-thick accent as swift and strong as a champion’s match-winning backhand.

For Simpson, calling home is a once-a-week Skype chat with his parents. He only sees the friends he grew up with for two months each summer, three weeks in December. This Englishman is just one international student playing tennis for the Top 25-ranked Tigers this season. Of Coach Jeff Brown’s dozen players, five arrived on campus from foreign countries.

That’s not an unusual ratio for the program that targets some of the best up-and-coming talent from around the globe. What is uncommon is the amount of camaraderie and community these disparate and highly competitive young men are able to build together, and how quickly, both on and off the court.

Senior Stefan Szacinski, an Australian, likens his teammates to puzzle pieces—completely different individuals who, when placed together, form a unique whole. With players who have traveled halfway around the world—from Bolivia, France and Ireland—to pursue their love for the game, he’s not wrong.

“We definitely have some strong-willed characters, but that shows on the court,” Szacinski says. “We fight hard.”

Over the repetitive thwack of speeding volleys, a voice calls out, “And I’m from Russia! It’s John Michael Busch, a gregarious freshman who grew up 30 minutes outside of Atlanta.

“They understand we’re all LSU Tigers, no matter where they come from,” says Brown, who played at LSU in the 1980s before he began his career in coaching. “These international guys tend to take care of their academics because they’re coming from good schools. These are high achievers.”

Meet these high achievers, the LSU men’s tennis team’s five not-so-foreigners.

The Tigers’ regular season ends April 13 with matches against Arkansas and Jackson State at LSU. For the complete schedule and more on the team, visit lsusports.net

Adelaide, Australia | Senior

“My first impression of Baton Rouge was just how friendly and helpful everyone was. It was heartwarming and reminded me of back home, where strangers will tell you ‘hello’—just with a different Southern accent. After three years I have grown accustomed to the Cajun spices, Mardi Gras and LSU football. It was quite a shock as a freshman, but I love being a part of it all now.”

Derby, England | Sophomore
“We all have different senses of humor. At first, they won’t get our sarcasm, and we won’t get their jokes, but over the years you get to know each other more and pick up on it. The team atmosphere is great at the moment. Before arriving, I’d never had alligator. That was nice. Honestly, I’ve loved every moment so far.”

County Wicklow, Ireland | Senior
“We all have something in common in that we’ve traveled overseas to play. In Ireland, growing up we had tournaments every week in the summer. And if you love it that much, you play year-round. I was 12 when I started that. The first two practices here, I was dying after an hour. It’s so humid. Highs in Ireland are about 65. That was a massive change. It’s okay, though. I get to cool off at home in the summer, then come back in August, and it’s just as hot as when I left. I graduate in December, and I’m thinking of staying around, actually—maybe get into coaching.”

Chartres, France | Senior
“I was born in Hungary, but grew up mostly in France because my parents were professional [and Olympic] handball players. It was really different moving here to America. I felt like I’d jumped into a movie. Everything was so big, the language and mentality felt different. Everything. The first thing I learned to love was the food. Boudin balls at The Chimes; I like that. But for a French person, I spoke all French. I thought I knew English, but I was lost trying to follow what everyone was saying because of all the different accents. My teammates were helpful, though, and it is like a big family. Now, I understand Mark [Bowtell’s] Irish humor or why Chris [Simpson] is drinking tea all the time.”

La Paz, Bolivia | Freshman
“I grew up in a soccer country. And it’s like here with LSU football—everyone is into it. My first impression [of Baton Rouge] last August was that it’s hot. I’m used to elevation of about 12,000 feet. But I’d played in tournaments in other countries and am getting used to the heat here. I love the culture of Louisiana. I can definitely eat some jambalaya.”