Josh Lawson
The women’s tennis team’s sole freshman, Lenka Hojckova, has already made an impact on the team. Midway through the season, Hojckova typically plays No. 3 in singles and No. 2 in doubles.
“She has connected well with the team,” coach Hans Olsen said. “She has really become part of the family.”
Hojckova is from Slovakia and this is her first time living in the United States, as well as her first being far away from home.
“Everything is very different,” Hojckova said. “I just need a little time to get used to it, but I like it here.”
One of the big differences Hojckova noticed is in American greetings, everyone says, “Hi, how are you?,” yet in Slovakia they just greet with hello.
“It was weird when someone asked me how I was doing,” Hojckova said. “I was like, ‘You don’t know me.'”
Yet, the culture differences are becoming more comfortable, Hojckova said.
“Last semester, it was something new everyday,” she said. “Every [culture’s] people are different.”
From Olsen’s perspective, besides the culture differences, her adjustments are normal for any freshman, whether they are from California or Slovakia.
“She has done well balancing,” Olsen said. “But I think going away from home is always a challenge.”
In Slovakia, Hojckova started playing tennis at age 7, and soon after started playing in tournaments. Later, she traveled and competed in international tournaments before coming to N.C. State. In 2006 and 2007, Hojckova was ranked in the top 1,000 worldwide by the WTA in both singles and doubles.
Education is very important, Hojckova said, as well as continuing her tennis career.
“I need an education,” Hojckova said. “In Slovakia and all of Europe it’s not easy to study and play tennis together because they want too much from you in school. You don’t have time to play tennis, so this is perfect for me because I can do both.”
According to Olsen, Hojckova has great skill in tennis.
“She is a very talented tennis player,” Olsen said. “She’s a good athlete and has a very good work ethic.”
So far this season, Hojckova has a record of 5-6 in singles, and 8-2 in doubles with Julia Roach.
“Ground strokes are Lenka’s strength,” Olsen said. “She has a high tennis IQ and really understands the game.”
According to Olsen, Hojckova’s tennis IQ makes her very coachable.
“We talk about something she needs to improve on, and then she takes it and really works on it,” Olsen said. “Lenka has a very good maturity level.”
In an individual sport, keeping the team in mind is sometimes challenging for athletes, yet Hojckova said she always keeps the team in mind.
“I feel good about my wins, but for me it is more important when the team wins,” Hojckova said.
No matter the wins or losses, Hojckova’s addition as a part of the team has been very welcome, according to Olsen.
“Lenka is always smiling, always upbeat,” he said.