TAELORE RHODEN
Staff Writer
Many students remember last fall’s first Convocation at Pepperdine — a ceremony commemorating the men’s tennis team’s NCAA national championship. Many said that they became teary-eyed with pride as they watched the slideshow and the team on stage, sensing something special about these Waves.
Now, many months later, the Waves are celebrating their 17th straight West Coast Conference title and are preparing for another run at the NCAA title, with the championship tournament beginning May 11.
So not much has changed. And another thing is the same, too. Sophomore Omar Altmann epitomizes the meaning of men’s tennis at Pepperdine. His performance on the court makes tennis look so smooth and effortless –as though the average person could perform just as well.
Last weekend, in the WCC championships, he teamed with Richard Johnson for an easy 8-2 victory at the No. 1 doubles position.
“I just go out and have fun.” Altmann said of his game. Daily practices and pressure to perform well don’t seem to jade his love of the game. “I’m just doing what I love.”
Born in Cairo, Egypt, Altmann began playing at the age of 4. “I can’t even remember the first time I played [tennis],” he said, “but I had private coaches growing up.”
The juggle between tennis and, well, life was not easy for Altmann. “High school was a bit hard with tennis,” he said. “Back home, they don’t give you attention for your sport –they think that education is more important.
“Everything was too easy back home,” he added, “I wanted to get out of there.” And so he did. After applying to numerous colleges and universities worldwide, Altmann found his home right here in Malibu.
A smiling Altmann didn’t hesitate to credit coach Adam Steinberg for his email correspondence with Altmann and offer for a four-year tennis career. “Tennis and a great education,” he said contently. “What could be better?”
In his case, nothing.
Though Altmann largely credits Steinberg for his attendance at Pepperdine, he had his own reasons. “I really wanted to come to California because of the weather,” he said, “I can’t live in cold climates.” Thus, he also applied to Texas A&M University. He’s now thankful for not attending. “I was there this past year – thank god I didn’t go.”
It seems that the California lifestyle is here to stay, according to Altmann. “I have no idea what I want to do,” he said. “ I’m having to much fun here I don’t want to graduate!” Who could blame him? The beautiful location, an award-winning tennis team and the opportunity to love the dream.
“I wanted to play college [tennis],” Altmann stressed. “ I came to get out of my comfort zone and I wanted to see more.”
The “more” to which Altmann refers not just to sunny skies and sandy beaches but the rest of the world. Altmann says that a professional career may be an option, but he’s very sure that he still has time and those plans will work themselves out.
“I want to go on the tour and travel a bit,” he said. “But they [his parents] really want me to come back [to Egypt].”
For now, Altmann says he couldn’t be happier. With an amazing coach and team, he’s got more than he could ever wish for.
“He [Steinberg] does everything he can to make us better people and better players. I like that he’s a really hard worker –it’s not a 9 to 5 for him.”
So dedicated is Steinberg that he even calls his players to ensure that their studies and lives are running smoothly. “He’d call me at night,” Altmann said. “His life is based on our team. You can really see his dedication.”
The team has also been a contributing factor to Altmann’s success and contentment. “College tennis is a team sport…people never realize that everything is based on the team,” he said.
The bonding and relationships that surface from the team make playing that much better. His teammates, therefore, have become his extended “family” and “brothers.”
Outside of the court, Altmann’s life is hectic. “I usually get a maximum of seven hours of sleep,” he said. “It’s really me with my time management –the first couple days of the semester I didn’t think that I could do it.”
Even with all of the time that tennis takes out of his life, Altmann really appreciates the fairness of Pepperdine in regard to student athletes. “I like how they don’t separate athletes from other students, “ he said. “They treat everyone the same. I know that’s not true at other, larger schools.
“That’s what amazed me about Pepperdine –everyone’s treated the same regardless of their involvement and activities.”
Although Altmann is still deciding on what to do with his degree, his immediate plans are to “enjoy life.” A lesson everyone could learn. He’s enjoying being a student and having fun. What else can we really ask for?
“When we won last year at Stanford,” he said beaming, “It was probably one of the best moments of my life!”
Looking in the direction he’s headed, there will be many more “best moments” to come.
04-27-2007