Olimpia means "at home"

[31 August 2010]

Ioana Alecsiu leaves us. As I think that Olimpia has brought her many satisfactions and friendships with other olimpians, that she will never forget through the hard work that they have put together, I will start with some questions asking the one who will represent our team at Columbia University in New York City about her past and future.

1.       What did and what does Olimpia represent for you?

Since I have entered the gates from Olimpia, the club "from the blocks", as I like to call it, I felt a warm atmosphere, resembling to a family. I succedeed in having most of my top results while playing here, where, I have also found the so-called "team spirit", that I thought to be gone in an individual sport. Olimpia is my "home", when talking about tennis, of course...

2.       Do you think Juniors tennis in Romania is consistent? How did you feel it at European and International level?

Romanian Junior tennis was always excellent. There have been generations that won European medals or Grand Slam trophies, so that one cannot afirm that young Romanian players are not always in top. I have played a lot of ITF tournaments around the world, maybe more than I should have and can thus say that the tournaments in Romania are played at a higher level than others in different regions, that are graded higher.

3.       Does Tennis resemble life?

Of course... from so many points of view! There are ups and downs, moments when you want to give up, moments of glory. In only one day you can walk through so many feelings, exactly like during a match.

4.       What did tennis  help you in?

Many may think that Tennis helped me be more organized, active, etc. However, I do believe, after years of tournaments and hard practice hours, that without hard-work and persistence you cannot achieve your goal, although this might sound as a cliche. What tennis taught me is that you have to fight up to the end for your goals, ambitions and dreams and that the abandonment is only for the weaks.

5.       Do you think that there could exist the concept of teams in an individual sport? You are getting ready for a different system there...

Of course it does. And this is what I have learnt at Olimpia. Personally, I have always prefered to play doubles, and in singles, my best results were when playing for the team; when I felt responsible for the others. Team mates can always cheer you up...

6.       Many Romanian tennis players go to college in the US. Do you believe this is a recognition of their athletic or academic value?

For the majority this is a recognition of their work during childhood and I congratulate all for their achievements. Regarding myself, the admission  was based more on my academic results sustained by the ones on court.

7.       What will the next 4 years mean for you? Talk about your education and  future squad...

I try not to plan anything for the future, but I am sure that I will start a new experience, a new phase where I will learn more. I am still a novice. Talking about academics, I am sure that I will be more than satisfied, who wouldn't? I hope that I will get along with the surface and that I won't cry my beloved red clay.

8.       Olimpia and Columbia Lions have almost the same colors. Is it a simple coincidence or a prolongation of feelings?

It could be regarded as a coincidence. Though, sometimes I start to believe in destiny (laughs). My former team, Sanatatea, Olimpia and Columbia play in white and light blue, so that anyone could easily say that I have picked them cromatically.

9.       Do you consider the separation  of what you have built difficult or do you perceive it like a springboard?

Separations are always difficult. I actually leave on one side of the ocean my family, friends, relatives and I go with a simple luggage. I start to realize that it will be hard, but I know that college years will help me get shaped better than here or elsewhere in Europe.

10.   When did you have most of fun on the court and which was your major joy?

Having fun was what I tried to have each time when I was playing tennis, if not, I have probably gone insane. There are many jokes and short-stories to tell from the court, too many maybe. The biggest joys came after my successes in Medias and Spain.

11.   And disappointments?

Disappointments? No way...aaa, of course there were, lots of them! I think I was at least 5 or 6 times on the edge of quitting tennis, or any sport. There were moments when I was hating anything that meant competition. And every bad mood was induced by a lost match.

12.   As a good-bye for your former team, would you like to add few words for the upcoming Olimpia-generations?

What I hope, is that everyone will come through and feel as happy as I felt here, or maybe happier (although I think this cannot be achieved). I also hope that they will always be proud of their team and that they will never forget the club that raised them, as for many of us Olimpia means " at home".

  

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