Spotlight: Mariusz Adamski

By Ryan Durham Old Gold and Black

April 13, 2007

Winston-Salem, NC (CSTV U-WIRE) -- Mariusz Adamski has traveled to play tennis for much of his life, but has settled at Wake Forest for the time being. Adamski has made a definite impact on the Deacon squad in both singles and doubles competition in his three years at the university. Paired with senior Todd Paul, Adamski is part of a doubles team that is ranked No. 29 in the country and is in the hunt for a national championship.The Old Gold & Black's sports editor Ryan Durham sat down with Adamski to talk about playing college tennis so far from home, playing tennis in and outside of the United States, dealing with the pressure of being on a nationally ranked team and preparing for each match.

On playing away from home:

It's been pretty hard, but I've gotten pretty used to it. I've been traveling around the world playing tournaments. Andrew Hamar and I played the junior tour together. So I'm used to playing away from home.

On preparing for each match:

I just think I don't like to lose. I just hate losing, and I just try to focus and think only about winning.

On the team being nationally ranked:

I don't think there is that much pressure. Actually, we're always looking forward to getting better. So we're always looking for better rankings. It's not enough for us because we're not No. 1. We're like No. 12 in the nation. So we still have room to improve.

On why Roger Federer is his favorite player:

I like his style of the game. I like how calm he is on the court. I like how smooth his strokes are. He is the best player in the world and I look up to him.

On playing here or abroad:

I like playing in the United States probably the most because I prefer to play on the hard courts, and in the United States it is mostly hard courts. So, I like it here better than anywhere else.

On the last two matches:

We lost against Clemson, which was a really hard match, because we lost 4-3. We came close, but we were just short in one match. I don't think we have played that well. We have been really, really tired after the entire season. We have played a lot of matches, and there is school pressure. It's getting to us. Especially April is a really tough month for us because school is very hard, and we're trying to finish the season and do our best, but we've taken some losses lately.

On whether he prefers singles or doubles:

I like playing both. This year has been great because I've been playing with Todd Paul, and he's one of the best players in the nation. So, it's been great doubles. He's a great partner so I enjoy it a lot, but I enjoy singles as well. It doesn't really matter to me. I just play.

On the post-season possibilities:

I just hope we can get to the Sweet Sixteen like we have planned. We haven't got there, but it's our ultimate goal. We've just got to do our best.