University of Georgia Athletics
Getting To Know Ignacio Taboada
September 30, 2010 | Men's Tennis
Sept. 30, 2010
By Matt Oxford, UGA Sports Communications
ATHENS, Ga. --- Though he has not always been a Bulldog, junior Ignacio Taboada is already making himself at home.
"Every single guy on the team is really friendly, so it took me almost five minutes to get along with everyone," he said. "We have a really good team chemistry so it was really easy to get to know the team."
Taboada started his career at the University of Miami, where he was the first freshman since the 2003-04 season to post 20 wins and only the ninth freshman in Miami history to post 23 wins in his first season. Following his sophomore season with the Hurricanes, Taboada transferred to the University of Georgia.
Georgiadogs.com recently set down with Taboada to get to know a little more about one of the newest additions to the Bulldog tennis program.
Georgiadogs.com: How was your summer?
Ignacio Taboada: Summer was good. The first couple of weeks I just took some time off and came back from Miami, and that is when I decided to transfer to Georgia. I also went to Spain for the World Cup. It was a very good experience and we won. It was really fun. At the end I was just getting ready for Georgia.
GD: What made you decide to transfer to UGA?
IT: My family is originally from Spain, but they live in Atlanta. I got pretty homesick, so I wanted to be close to home but keep improving my tennis at the same time. This is a great program so it was a great fit.
GD: What are two words that describe you on the court?
IT: Intense and Vocal - I'm really active.
GD: What are two words that describe you off the court?
IT: Energetic and outgoing. I like to talk a lot and get everyone involved.
GD: If you could have played another sport what would it be?
IT: Soccer or Football.
GD: Do you have any hobbies?
IT: Playing soccer and water sports like Jet Ski and wakeboarding.
GD: Who is your favorite professional sports team?
IT: Real Madrid.
GD: What is your favorite movie?
IT: Inception.
GD: What is your favorite TV show?
IT: Anything on Comedy Central.
GD: Where is your favorite place to go on vacation?
IT: Madrid.
GD: Where haven't you been that you would like to go?
IT: China or Japan.
GD: What are your plans once you graduate?
IT: Play some tennis, but most likely stay around here and work on my master's degree.
GD: What are some differences between the University of Georgia and the University of Miami?
IT: It's completely different. This is a huge campus and a huge school. Miami is small, but you are in a big city. It's a totally different type of people, like the southern hospitality. I love it.
GD: What is your favorite part about being a student-athlete?
IT: The responsibility that comes with it and the title of being a student-athlete.
GD: What are you looking forward to the most this season?
IT: Winning the championship.
The Bulldogs are set to compete this weekend at the Georgia Tech Fall Invitational. The first round will begin Saturday, October 2nd at 7:50 a.m. where Taboada is set to begin play against Cal Hilsman of Clemson.