Upcoming Event: Men's Tennis at TCU on April 4, 2026 at 1:00 PM
1:00 PM
Men's Tennis
at TCU
The University of Utah Athletics
Behind the Baseline: Mathias Gavelin
11/25/2019 8:49 AM | Men's Tennis
Immediately making an impact as a freshman, sophomore Mathias Gavelin returns this year with more experience and is ready to be a force once again in the Ute lineup. The Stockholm, Sweden native posted a 14-10 singles last year, playing mostly on court five for the Utes. Before joining the Utes, Gavelin was the U21 National Champion and ranked as high as No. 3 in the Swedish junior rankings. Get to know more about Gavelin before the 2020 season!
When did you first start playing tennis and why?
"I started playing tennis when I was around five or six years old. I got into it because both of my older brothers played tennis, and my dad played collegiately in the U.S. at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock."
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What was tennis like at a young age for you in Stockholm?
"Stockholm has the best tennis players in Sweden and the age group that I played in had really good players. It was really tough competition, but it made me a lot better of a tennis player because of it."
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You ranked as high as No. 3 in the Swedish Junior Rankings, what was the process like in order to achieve that high of a ranking?
"Honestly, it just took a lot of hard work. When I was younger, I was ranked 40th, so it took me a few years to get to the No. 3 ranking. I continued to play better and better, and then when I was around 16 years old, I played against better players and was able to advance in the rankings because of how I was playing."
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Was it a goal of yours to attend college in the United States? Is there a reason that you didn't stay in Sweden?
"I have always liked the U.S. and ever since I was young, I have always wanted to attend college here. I wanted to come to school here too because my dad did. I wanted to do the same thing as him. I also knew that the U.S. would give me the opportunity to play tennis and attend school at the same time."
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Why did you decide to attend the University of Utah? What did you like about the U compared to other schools?
"The coaches were the main reason that I decided to come here. Also, during my official visit the facilities were unlike any that I had seen and I also had an immediate connection with the guys on the team."
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What was the biggest adjustment when you first moved to Utah from Sweden?
"I mean, the U.S. and Sweden are two completely different countries. The culture and the people are very different, and the food was a big adjustment when I first came here too."
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How does the level of competition compare between the opponents you faced in Sweden and the opponents you are facing now?
"The competition is a lot tougher here, especially since we are a part of the Pac-12. There is a lot of the nation's top programs and tennis players in this conference, and that's what makes it so great."
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What are some goals that you have for yourself and this team for the upcoming season?
"I think that we're going to have a pretty good team this spring and my hope is that we can make the NCAA tournament again. If we could win a few rounds and have a couple guys go far, that would be so great. For myself, I just want to keep working hard and contribute to the team in whatever way that I can."
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Have you decided what you want to major in? What would you like to do with that major?
"I haven't necessarily decided yet, but I'm looking into doing something business oriented. I like the entrepreneurship program, and would like to get into that and see where it takes me."
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When did you first start playing tennis and why?
"I started playing tennis when I was around five or six years old. I got into it because both of my older brothers played tennis, and my dad played collegiately in the U.S. at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock."
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What was tennis like at a young age for you in Stockholm?
"Stockholm has the best tennis players in Sweden and the age group that I played in had really good players. It was really tough competition, but it made me a lot better of a tennis player because of it."
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You ranked as high as No. 3 in the Swedish Junior Rankings, what was the process like in order to achieve that high of a ranking?
"Honestly, it just took a lot of hard work. When I was younger, I was ranked 40th, so it took me a few years to get to the No. 3 ranking. I continued to play better and better, and then when I was around 16 years old, I played against better players and was able to advance in the rankings because of how I was playing."
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Was it a goal of yours to attend college in the United States? Is there a reason that you didn't stay in Sweden?
"I have always liked the U.S. and ever since I was young, I have always wanted to attend college here. I wanted to come to school here too because my dad did. I wanted to do the same thing as him. I also knew that the U.S. would give me the opportunity to play tennis and attend school at the same time."
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Why did you decide to attend the University of Utah? What did you like about the U compared to other schools?
"The coaches were the main reason that I decided to come here. Also, during my official visit the facilities were unlike any that I had seen and I also had an immediate connection with the guys on the team."
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What was the biggest adjustment when you first moved to Utah from Sweden?
"I mean, the U.S. and Sweden are two completely different countries. The culture and the people are very different, and the food was a big adjustment when I first came here too."
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How does the level of competition compare between the opponents you faced in Sweden and the opponents you are facing now?
"The competition is a lot tougher here, especially since we are a part of the Pac-12. There is a lot of the nation's top programs and tennis players in this conference, and that's what makes it so great."
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What are some goals that you have for yourself and this team for the upcoming season?
"I think that we're going to have a pretty good team this spring and my hope is that we can make the NCAA tournament again. If we could win a few rounds and have a couple guys go far, that would be so great. For myself, I just want to keep working hard and contribute to the team in whatever way that I can."
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Have you decided what you want to major in? What would you like to do with that major?
"I haven't necessarily decided yet, but I'm looking into doing something business oriented. I like the entrepreneurship program, and would like to get into that and see where it takes me."
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Players Mentioned
/ Men's Tennis
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