University of Georgia Athletics
Getting To Know Javier Garrapiz
September 16, 2010 | Men's Tennis
Sept. 16, 2010
By Matt Oxford, UGA Sports Communications
ATHENS, Ga. --- After leading the Georgia men's tennis team to the NCAA semifinals in Athens last May with match clinchers over Florida and Oklahoma, senior Javier Garrapiz returned home to Spain to visit with family and watch his country win its first World Cup.
Now Garrapiz, ranked No. 14 in the 2010-11 ITA preseason rankings, is back for his final season. He recently sat down with Georgiadogs.com to talk about his journey to Georgia, life as a student-athlete, and his tennis idol.
Georgiadogs.com: How was your summer?
Javier Garrapiz: I had a good summer. I took a class in June and went back to Spain in July to rest with my family and my friends. It was such a good time when Spain won the World Cup. It was probably the best month of my life.
GD: Why did you choose the University of Georgia?
JG: I was back in Spain trying to play [professional tennis]. At one point I didn't know if it was going to work. I spent three months at home and I didn't know whether or not I would go pro, and then this guy who went to Georgia in 1999 named Gonzalo Corrales kept saying that he went here and that it was the best experience of his life. At the beginning I didn't think I wanted to come here because of my English and because it was a different culture. Gonzalo kept telling me that it was going to be a great experience, and there are so many good players in college. He kept telling me this so many times until I thought, OK, maybe I should try that. I got in touch with Coach [Manuel] Diaz, so I passed the tests and I came here. Since I came here I have fallen in love with playing college tennis. Playing in the pros is fun when you are winning, but playing here you are playing for a team and at the end of the day that team is your best friends. It's so exciting playing for your friends and your team.
GD: What is the best part of being a collegiate athlete?
JG: One of the best parts is playing with one of the best teams in the nation. Last year playing against Florida in May, that was the best experience of my life. I played in the French Open in Juniors and that was big for me, getting to play on the same court as the pros, but this was the best experience playing tennis of my life by far. Playing at night here with this atmosphere, this crowd and on TV, it's something that you don't imagine when you come here.
GD: What are two words that describe you on the court?
JG: Emotional. I try to inspire the crowd, saying "vamos" a lot. Inspirational. When I see a teammate playing close to me, I try to talk with him a lot and say, "Come on, man, let's get ready for the next point." I try to inspire my teammates.
GD: What are two words that describe you off the court?
JG: Crazy. I am so open with everybody that I am kind of crazy as well. Respectful. One of the things I learned at home was to respect everybody, so I try to treat people in the best way as possible.
GD: Do you have any hobbies?
JG: Soccer is my life. I am a big fan of Real Madrid. When I am back home I try to play with my friends because most of them play. I love soccer - watching soccer, whatever has to do with soccer. I also like to go out with my friends, read, watch movies, like most of the guys my age.
GD: What is your favorite professional athletics team?
JG: Real Madrid Soccer Club.
GD: Who is your favorite professional athlete?
JG: Rafael Nadal. I lived with his friend for three years. It's amazing how the guy is. I said last year that he was going to be the best ever, and I think that if he keeps playing like the way he has been right now, I think that he is going to be able to do it. He keeps working so hard and he is the best guy in the world. His values are so important and he sets up a great example for kids.
GD: What is your favorite type of music?
JG: I love techno and flamenco music.
GD: What is your favorite movie?
JG: The Hangover.
GD: What is your favorite TV show?
JG: CSI, whatever it is, from Las Vegas to Miami.
GD: Do you have any pets?
JG: No, but I would love to have an iguana, I love iguanas. You never know with wild animals, one day they can jump from the closet.
GD: Where is your favorite place to travel?
JG: Spain. And I went last year to Vegas. I love Las Vegas.
GD: Where haven't you been that you would like to go?
JG: I would love to go to China and Japan. I think it's another kind of culture and mindset, so I would love to get to know all of those people there and what they do during the day. It's a completely different world.
Garrapiz and the Bulldogs start fall play next weekend, Sept. 24-27, in Athens with the Southern Intercollegiate Championships as the team begins its quest for its seventh NCAA championship.
"We are ready to win, ready to enjoy it and have fun," Garrapiz said. "I think that this is going to be a good year. I just have this feeling. We try to be good teammates and help each other, and I think in the end that's the most important part. We talk about that with the coaches a lot. The team that wins at the end isn't the team with the most talent, but the team that plays as a unique team."
"It's my last year playing tennis here. I am going to miss this so much, so I have to get the best out of this year."
