Lubbock, TX (U-WIRE) -- With No. 1 Baylor coming up, Texas Tech's No. 1 tennis player Radek Nijaki has picked a good time to play his best tennis. Nijaki was named Big 12 Player of the Week after defeating No. 36 Callum Beale of Texas and No. 23 Jerry Makowski of Texas A&M as part of the team's two victories last weekend.

Nijaki has been a huge part of the No. 9 Red Raiders' success this season, compiling a record of 10-3 overall and 4-0 in the Big 12.

"I've been playing really good tennis lately, and it's a great honor for me to be chosen player of the week," he said. "The last eight matches, I've tried to be really aggressive and just go out there have fun and compete for myself and for the team."

Saturday Nijaki will attempt to build on his recent success as he takes on the No. 1 ranked player in the nation, Benedikt Dorsch.

Originally from Zielona-Gora, Poland, the 23-year-old Nijaki has other interests outside playing the game he loves.

One of those interests involves the opposite sex, with a special attraction for one of the stars in the new film "Sin City."

"I love Jessica Alba; she's amazing," he said. "I do have to say, though, that the girls at Texas Tech are the most beautiful in the world."

Other than females in the cinema, Nijaki also has an interest in the films themselves.

"I'm usually not a fan of fantasy movies, but I really like 'The Lord of the Rings,'" he said. "I could watch all three straight through, and I liked the book even better."

A love for food also is part of Nijaki's repertoire.

"I like to cook sometimes, just relax and watch a movie and have some time to myself," he said.

His favorite dish is one with which most Americans may not be familiar, but it is popular among natives of Poland. Pierogi Krouiety Bigos is a type of dough that can be baked or fried and filled with meat or cheese.

When he is away from home, American sandwich shops usually satisfy his appetite.

Nijaki said through all his travels and experiences the best advice he ever received came from his father.

"When I was a kid my dad told me that no matter what happens I should never give up," he said. "He taught me to believe in God, and I believe everything good that happens to me is because of him."

(C) 2004 University Daily via U-WIRE