Axel Alvarez, Former DIV 1 Player of the Year Axel Alvarez started playing tennis at six years old. By 12, he was traveling all over Spain playing tournaments and got to the finals in the Spanish Championships. He went on to play at the Grand Slams before facing several offers from the US to play College Tennis. At 19, he’s in Oklahoma for four years living and breathing tennis. He was ranked number 1 in DIV 1 in the US, an astonishing achievement, and played in the National Championships three times in a row. “In Freshman year, we played the Conference Tournament and needed one more point to clinch the match. I got the point; people were cheering and running onto the court,” says Axel. College Tennis gives players the opportunity to learn, play the sport they love, and be in a team. If you’re a junior considering College Tennis, here are some tips from Axel: Start looking early enough, at least 16. Have your goals clear in your mind. Look for a good tennis program. Make an informed decision with all the information.