University of Houston Athletics
Behind the Scenes - Tina Rupert
5/4/2015 12:00:00 AM | Tennis
(Editor's Note: As the Houston Tennis team prepares for NCAA Tournament play, UHCougars.com sat down with several members of the team for an inside look at their lives as student-athletes. Today's Q&A is with sophomore Tina Rupert, who has earned All-American Athletic Conference honors in each of her first two seasons with the Cougars.)
UHCougars.com: What has been your best memory on the team so far?
Tina Rupert: I think it would probably have to be the match against Memphis at the Houston Country Club this season. It was such an exciting match because we were 3-0 down and we came back to win 4-3. I remember myself and Charlotte were the last two matches on court. It was 3-2 overall, and she was in a third set tiebreak. I was worried about what was happening on her court, and I couldn't concentrate on my match! Everyone was yelling and screaming and Charlotte was match point down, but then she won and then I won to clinch the match, and the girls came running up to me - it was a great comeback!
UHCougars.com: You've clinched a lot of big matches. How does it feel in the big moment when the match is down to you and the crowd is against you?
TR: It's really tough being the last match on court, but it's also really enjoyable. It's tough, because you know it's all on you, your teammates need you to win, and people expect you to win. It doesn't help when the crowd is cheering against you either. The crowd in Tulsa was the toughest that I have come across yet. But I survived, put it the back of my mind, kept calm and played the way I knew to get the win!
UHCougars.com: As you are studying hospitality and restaurant manager you must be a bit of a foodie. Where and what is your favorite food to eat in Houston?
TR: I think my favorite restaurant in Houston would probably have to be The Cheesecake Factory. I have a really sweet tooth and so I always have to get a cheesecake! The main courses are all so delicious. I'm a big fan of the chicken, mushrooms and mashed potatoes, and the bread is to die for! I just love it!
UHCougars.com: Do you have any guilty pleasures you are willing to share?
TR: Like I said, my sweet tooth makes me love all things sweet, especially chocolate and ice cream! But in America, it's a much bigger problem because everything is centered on eating and you are surrounded by food all the time. There are frozen yogurt and ice cream places everywhere you go, so it's really tempting! But as an athlete, I try to be disciplined and eat a healthy diet, with the occasional treat here and there!
UHCougars.com: What do you miss most about being so far away home?
TR: I really miss my family and friends the most, because no one can replace your family. Even though I love my teammates, it's hard to speak to your family them when you want to because of our busy days. The travelling schedule and the time difference make it really difficult too.
UHCougars.com: What do you do in your spare time?
TR: When I am not on the court, I like to spend time with my friends, watch movies, go shopping -- anything really. I just like to relax!
UHCougars.com: Tell us one thing that people don't know about you.
TR: I think that the people who don't know me think that I am really shy and quiet, because I'm a relaxed and easy-going person and I often don't say much in group settings. But my real friends, people who know me, know that I am actually a bit of a crazy person!
UHCougars.com: And finally, what are you ambitions for the future?
TR: Well firstly, I'm going to graduate from college and hopefully succeed in that! After that, my plan is to go home and maybe help my parents out with their tennis center and work there. I don't know what kind of job I want to have exactly, but I will figure that out, because I think that it's really important to have a job that you love and do something you really enjoy doing each day.
--UHCougars.com--
BEHIND THE SCENES WITH HOUSTON TENNIS
April 24: Elena Kordolaimi
April 27: Despoina Vogasari
May 4: Tina Rupert
Players Mentioned
