Velicka Continues Adventure of Discovering America

NORMAN, Okla. - With many tennis accolades under his belt, including winning the ITA Central Region Doubles Championships with OU teammate Alexei Ivanov in 2005 and claiming the 2004 ITA Fall Region V Singles Championship, it is safe to say that Marek Velicka understands and excels at the game.

But Velicka faced an off-court challenge when he decided to commit to the OU men's tennis team in 2003he had never visited the United States. The opportunity to play collegiate tennis excited Velicka, but the Czech Republic native was even more thrilled to embark on the adventure of discovering America.

Marek Velicka Bio | Men's Tennis | Tennis Schedule

Playing junior tennis tournaments and competing in International Tennis Federation tournaments, Velicka traveled to Croatia, Egypt, Jamaica, Portugal, Italy, Spain and France. Yet, he never played a match in the one country he wanted to seethe United States.

Until arriving at OU, Velicka's only exposure to American life was through movies, but it wasn't until he arrived that he was able to absorb and appreciate the American culture.

“When I was in Washington D.C., I stood at the Lincoln Memorial and looked at the Washington Monument from the same place Forrest Gump did,” Velicka says. “When I first arrived in the United States, I expected to see huge buildings and tall skyscrapers in all of the cities, but not every city is busy with people and full of skyscrapers like you see in the movies. I knew there would be a difference between Oklahoma City and New York City, but I didn't realize the difference until I got here.”

With little time to travel on his own, many of Velicka's discoveries ensued in the realm of traveling with the men's tennis team. In the three years Velicka has played for OU, the men's tennis team has traveled to places like Arkansas, Ohio, Michigan, Colorado, Texas, Las Vegas, Washington D.C., Chicago, Memphis and Honolulu, his personal favorite.

When in Hawaii, Velicka jumped at the chance to try a new sport: surfing. OU women's tennis player Gabby Baker spent a day teaching Velicka to surf. He says surfing was fun, but he thinks he should stick to tennis and what he does best.

Velicka's travels have not only been fun and games but also a learning experience. American history has come alive in many of the cities he has visited, particularly in Washington D.C. and Hawaii.

“The most interesting experience there was visiting Pearl Harbor in Hawaii,” Velicka says. “At the site's monuments and museum, I learned about American battles and America's role in World War II. I knew some of America's history before I came, but after this experience, I was able to understand American history better. It is always interesting to see where history happens. There is so much history in Washington D.C., too.”

Velicka's travels gave him the opportunity not only to experience and learn about American culture but to also indulge in its variety of cuisine. From barbecued ribs to coconut shrimp, Velicka has tasted foods he never had before coming to America. One American delicacy in particular is Velicka's favorite.

“I really love American pancakes,” Velicka says. “I really like the International House of Pancakes. I cannot get pancakes in the Czech Republic, and I had never had them before I came here. I am going to miss the pancakes with strawberries, bananas and vanilla ice cream. We really need an IHOP in the Czech Republic.”

Before returning to the Czech Republic, Velicka says he wants to make a few more stops on his personal American tour. He wants to see the Pacific and Atlantic coasts and visit an iconic American city, so California, Florida and New York City top his list.

“I want to go to New York City because it is the most famous American city,” Velicka says. “I want to see the huge skyscrapers, visit the Statue of Liberty and take a walk in Central Park.”

By visiting New York City, Velicka says he will have a chance to be among some of the greatest Czech athletes, like Jaromir Jagr and Petr Sykora.

“I love ice hockey,” Velicka says. “I would like to go to watch the New York Rangers play in a National Hockey League game. I am a big ice hockey fan, and about seven or eight of the best Czech players play on that team, so it would be fun to watch them play live in New York.”

Velicka says he wants to go back to the Czech Republic when he graduates from OU, but he really wants a career that allows him to travel to the United States and speak English. He says no matter where in the world he is, he will never forget the time he spent in America playing for the OU men's tennis team.

“I will miss my friends in America and the tennis coaches, but I will also miss my automatic car,” Velicka says. “I cannot get an automatic car in the Czech Republic. I wish I could take the car and the pancakes back with me.”

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