MOBILE, Ala. – The University of South Alabama men's tennis program has added its fourth European player to the team for the spring season. Freshman Loic Cloes, from Remicourt, Belguim, spoke with USAJaguars.com about what got him into tennis, his path to South Alabama and how he hopes to help the Jaguars win the Sun Belt Championship this season.
 
Q: How did you get started in tennis?
A: I started playing when I was four. When I was young I would practice with my father and my brother. We focused on progress. I went to a boarding school where I stayed through the week and returned home on weekends. It was very good for school, and for practice I would go to school for only two or three hours a day and the rest was practice. I did that for six years.
 
Q: How did that help you develop as a player and person?
A: It did a lot for me. I've loved this sport since I was about four. Tennis is a part of my life and I love the game. My family played a lot of tennis, too. It changed a lot of things in my life because now I'm here and I think that worked out for the better. It's an amazing opportunity for me.
 
Q: What do you love about tennis?
A: I like the atmosphere and practicing to be better. I like playing in matches and really everything.
 
Q: Why come to South Alabama?
A: Coach Nick (Brochu) sent me a message and asked me if I was interested in coming to South Alabama and gave me a good scholarship. The team is good and the players are very nice. The weather is good and we get to practice outdoors almost all the time. I think it's a great atmosphere for playing tennis.
 
Q: What has your transition to a new country and college been like?
A: I was a little bit stressed about the language and the people. The university is huge. I was stressed at first, but now it's okay.
 
Q: What are your goals this first year?
A: I have a lot of goals. I think the principal goals are performing well in conference. The whole team really wants to win the championship this year. I want to play a lot of matches and win them. I want to be better than before.
 
Q: What do you like to do outside of tennis?
A: I like to do a lot of things. I like to see my friends and spend time with them, my family too.
 
Q: What do hope to gain from South Alabama?
A: I think I'm going to gain a lot of maturity and learn to do things by myself. I cook alone and I wash my clothes by myself. Before, my mother would do all of that. I like the independence.
 
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