TONY SIMEONE
Staff Writer
Having been born and raised in Mexico City, Alejandro Moreno expected the transition to be harder. Usually only leaving his country to participate in tennis tournaments in the United States, Moreno came to Pepperdine facing what would be his longest stint outside of his home country.
“I once took a two month trip, and that was the longest I had been outside of my country,” said Moreno. But with a tennis game that speaks for itself, Alejandro Moreno has adjusted to the American college life quite seamlessly.
For Moreno, the decision to come to Pepperdine was easy. “They [Pepperdine] had a great team and I knew some guys from the team before,” said Moreno of the 2006 National Championship squad. “It’s a big team and I had a chance to come here,” added Moreno, who felt he couldn’t turn down an opportunity to play for one of the best tennis programs in the nation.
Despite being a freshman and in his first season of Division I tennis, Moreno has made some significant contributions to the team. He finished the tournament season with a 4-2 record in singles and a 5-3 record in doubles. In singles, he managed to reach the quarterfinals in both the Crimson Tide Fall Championships and the Southern California Intercollegiate Championships.
Even with all of his on-court success this year, Moreno has found that many of his off-the-court experiences have been more memorable. He described the first road trip to Alabama for the Crimson Tide Fall Championships as a great bonding experience. When asked about what he has enjoyed most this season he said: “Getting to know guys and getting to grow and bond as a team.”
Before coming to Pepperdine, Moreno put together an outstanding junior career. Throughout his career he was the top-ranked junior in the U14, U16 and U18 divisions. He represented his country in many international competitions and also won 14 different national championships. But his fondest memory came outside of Mexico.
In 2006 he participated in a Junior U.S. Open Qualifier. He had to first win five tournaments leading up to the qualifier. But once he got there, “it was just amazing.” Not only did he participate in the junior section of the tournament, but he was also granted to opportunity to watch many of the world’s top professionals play, which he considered to be one of the highlights of the trip.
Because of his experience, he now considers the U.S. Open to be his favorite of tennis’ four Grand Slam titles.
Moreno’s favorite professional tennis players are Roger Federer and Pete Sampras. When asked who he models his game after, he said: “I don’t play like them. I admire them. I have my own style.” With a smile on his face he added: “I wish someone would like to play like me in the future.” They just might.
Moreno says his ultimate goal is to play professionally after he graduates from Pepperdine. His constant pursuit of this goal is what he considers to be his favorite aspect of tennis. “You can always get better.” He said: You can never do enough. If you don’t get better, you can’t compete.”
While he still has his individual goals in mind, Moreno has enjoyed the unique team aspect that college tennis provides. “I like playing on a team more than by myself.” While they often still play as individuals, the matches are scored as a team. He also believes that the ability to practice with a team is the best way to make him, along with the rest of the team, better.
Coach Adam Steinberg has nothing but glowing remarks for his young freshman. “He’s fit in amazingly well,” said Steinberg, “he’s a laid back guy with a great sense of humor. He’s a great person. He’s a kid with amazing character”. In talking about the strengths of his game Steinberg says that Moreno’s greatest asset is his forehand, “His serve has really improved so it is now a weapon.”
Off the court, Alejandro has had no problem adjusting to the Pepperdine lifestyle. “I love it,” he said, “The HAWC is my favorite part because it is so close to my room. I can just come and chill.”
Tennis isn’t the only sport that he follows either. Soccer is Moreno’s second love. He speaks of his national team with great pride. He still regularly follows his local and national team.
With more than three years left in his career at Pepperdine, Alejandro Moreno’s game can only improve. And if he is able to adjust as easily on the court as he has off it, we should be in for quite a treat.
04-10-2008