Ivanov Thankful for the Memories

As a native of Izhevsk, Russia, men's tennis senior Alexei Ivanov has seen his life change tremendously since moving to the United States to play for OU. For the past four years, Ivanov claims that some of his fondest memories have been the activities and events he has experienced for the first time in his life. Whether it was winning the 2003 match against Colorado or riding a roller coaster, these “firsts” will forever stay with him.

While playing tennis in his teenage years, Ivanov traveled to several other countries, like Poland, the Ukraine and Holland, to compete in international tournaments. However, one international trip in particular proved to be the most memorable.

When Ivanov was 18, several U.S. collegiate tennis programslike Baylor, Ohio State, Colorado and Wichita Statebegan expressing interest in him. But Oklahoma proved to be the best fit. Because he lived so far away, Ivanov was never able to take a recruiting trip to the university. So his first visit to the United States was actually the time he moved here.

Alexei Ivanov Bio | Men's Tennis | Tennis Schedule

“When I stepped off of the plane, my first thought was, What am I doing here?'” said Ivanov. “One of my first memories was seeing all of the car dealerships. It was so different than back home.”

Ivanov says that the first month was the toughest adjustment for him. Although he had studied English since he was seven, it was still difficult for him because he had to speak English all the time.

“The whole team helped me, especially the guys from the States and Coach (Lockwood),” he said.

Another stark difference was the competition in the United States. As a tennis player in Russia, Ivanov never had the opportunity to play on a team because tennis was not a team sport in Russian high schools. Here, however, the majority of his playing time would be as part of a squad.

“It's such a different atmosphere,” he said. “There are people always cheering for you. It's great because as part of a team, you know you're part of something bigger than yourself.”

Trips to new places didn't stop for Ivanov once he arrived in Oklahoma. During the spring of 2003 when he arrived, the team traveled to Colorado for the last match of the regular season. Before that trip, the squad had not won a single Big 12 duel all season. However, Oklahoma upset Colorado, 4-3, and Ivanovwho played at No. 1 singleswon a point for the team.

“That match was huge for us,” said Ivanov. “It was such an amazing win.”

Another big win for OU came last season, when for the first time in 21 years, Oklahoma defeated Red River Rival Texas. Although Ivanov dropped his matches in singles and doubles, it remains one of his best memories.

“The crowd was really into it, and the atmosphere was great,” recalled Ivanov. “Beating our rival for the first time in such a long time was one of the best feelings in the world.”

Ivanov also experienced many firsts outside of tennis. He says that he experienced many parts of American culture for the first time in his life.

Take for example an OU football game. Ivanov watched his first-ever game in August 2003 when the Sooners faced North Texas. Although he didn't know the rules, mainly because American football is not very popular in Europe, he still enjoyed the experience.

“The stadium was so packed,” he said. “I've never seen that many people at a sporting event.”

And then there was his first trip to Las Vegas during his sophomore year. But it wasn't the lights and the glitz of the city that he remembers the most. It was the roller coaster at the New York New York Hotel & Casino.

“I had never been on a roller coaster before, so I was really nervous,” Ivanov recalled. “When I got to the top of that first hill, I could see my life flashing before my eyes. I wanted to run, but it was so much fun. Next time our team went to Las Vegas, I rode that thing about nine times.”

To this day, Ivanov says that these experienceswhether it was beating Texas or going to football gamescontinue to have an incredible impact on his life, and he's looking forward to many more like them.

“When I came here, everything was new,” said Ivanov. “It has been amazing to experience all that I have, and I know that every day that I'm here, I'll continue to experience something new.”

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