EUSA Insider:
Manuel Hidalgo
Age: 21
Place of Birth: Granada, Spain
University: Camilo Jose Cela University (ESP)
Sport: Tennis Published 4 June 2019
How and why did you get involved in tennis?
I started tennis when I was four, when I went to see my sister train. I started on a paddle court and from the first ball I hit, I loved it. I have never practiced another sport and I doubt I will ever stop playing tennis one day.
What do you study, and how do you balance your study, training and competition?
I study Criminology. The truth is that it is difficult to balance my studies with tennis, but it is something I have done since school so I'm quite used to it. I have classes in the morning and in the afternoon, so in the breaks, and almost every afternoon, I escape to train. Although combining studies and sport is very hard, my university professors help me a lot.
Tell us about your experiences at the European Universities Games 2018. Was it your first time at a EUSA event, and what did you enjoy the most?
Yes, they were my first college Games and I loved them. Coimbra is a beautiful city, and the volunteers and mangers helped you out whenever you needed.
There was a lot of guys from different countries all around the world, so it was great to meet them and make new friends. My first appearance in a EUSA competition was in the 2017 EUC Tennis Championships, which was held at my university. For me it is the best event I had ever participated in, but I wouldn't change last year in Coimbra for anything.
Why do you think taking part in university sport is important?
To be able to practise a sport at a high level while studying a career is something that not everyone can do. Only the good athletes involved in university can do it, so the European University events are great to allow students to compete with good athletes in the same situation and share experiences.
“There was a lot of guys from different countries all around the world, so it was great to meet them and make new friends.”
In 2019 the European Universities Tennis Championships will take place in Podgorica, Montenegro. Do you hope to be there, and if so, how have your preparations been, and what do you hope to achieve?
It would be great to participate in this year’s event in Montenegro. I'm sure it is going to be a great experience. If we participate, I'm sure we will train very hard to achieve our goal, which is getting a medal and having a great time with the other athletes.
What is your favourite university sport moment?
My favorite moment in university sport was the EUC Tennis tournament of 2017 in Madrid, at my university – Camilo José Cela. It was the first time I participated in a university sport event and at home, surrounded by coaches and Friends. We won the tournament so it was a very special time for us and I'll never forget it.
What is your message to European student-athletes like yourself?
It is possible to combine a university career and sport. It is not easy, but not imposible; you just have to devote to it with passion and consistency, and you will be able reach all your goals.
EUSA would like to congratulate Manuel for his successes at the 2018 European Universities Games, and we hope to see him very soon, at the European Universities Championships 2019!