View and download the entire issue of ATR 66 – January 2019 Vol 20 No 2A
They come from afar by building their worldwide rankings in an internet-based system called Universal Tennis Rating, asking their coach to make a helpful telephone call, or appealing by themselves directly to a coach.
Aesha Patel from India wanted to study in Southern California.
“Her coach back in India contacted me, said women’s coach Peter Mattera.
“It’s a long way, India to the U.S. She wanted to be where there was going to be some family members. We were lucky enough to be that university. She’s a wonderful young lady, a very good student, and a very good player, a good athlete.”
“I get bombarded with players,” said men’s coach Gene Carswell. “Finding players isn’t the tough part, finding the right player is the tough part.”
Carswell visited Europe last summer to scout potential recruits. Better players are coming from countries where tennis is the leading sport, he said, describing a cycle that has vexed Americans for decades.
Both Aztec coaches are on the lookout for players from across the globe, they said, including the United States. This year, Aztec rosters compose a world atlas: North America (6), South America (1), Asia (2), Europe (9), and Australia (2).