Completed Event: Men's Tennis versus Baylor on April 16, 2026 , Loss , 1, to, 4
Final Score
Men's Tennis
1
vs Baylor
4
The University of Utah Athletics
Behind the Baseline: Rafael Grovas
9/23/2019 9:58 AM | Men's Tennis
Get to know freshman Rafael Grovas.
When did you first start playing tennis and why?
"I started playing tennis when I was around 10 years old. I really liked the sport and grew up watching it, then one day I just decided to try it. After that, I pretty much fell in love with the sport and kept going with it."
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Were there any other sports that you played growing up?
"Before I started playing tennis, I played competitive soccer. I started playing when I was three years old and then once I started playing tennis, I stopped playing soccer."
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Being ranked the No. 1 junior in Puerto Rico, what was the competition like playing there? How did it help you develop into the player that you are today?
"Tennis in Puerto Rico was very competitive. There were a lot of great players. It definitely helped me be more competitive and it also gave me confidence because I was the top-ranked junior player. I was also able to get better because of how many different players that I played from different countries."
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What was it like to represent Puerto Rico in the Davis Cup?
"There is nothing better than representing your country for the sport that you love. You aren't playing for yourself, you are playing for your team and playing for your country as well. It was a very great and humbling experience."
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Why did you decide to come to the University of Utah? What stuck out about the U that made you choose coming here over other schools?
"Definitely the tennis program. Utah has such great training facilities and the coaches were great, too."
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What has been the biggest adjustment coming to Utah from Puerto Rico?
"It's a totally different culture and the food is different from what I'm used to as well. The weather is also a lot different. This is the first time that I've ever seen snow, which is really cool."
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What are you most excited about with playing tennis at the U and in the Pac-12 conference?
"We have a great team this year and we are going to play against some of the top-ranked colleges in tennis this year too. It's going to be a tough challenge, but it's going to be really cool to get this type of opportunity."
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What is the best tennis-related memory that you have?
"My best memory is when we won the world championship for the 14 and under division in Central America. That was one of the greatest achievements that I have as a tennis player, and also representing my country."
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When you aren't playing tennis, what are your favorite hobbies or things to do in your free time?
"Watch Netflix, play video games, and hangout with my teammates. I also plan on starting to get into hiking soon since I am now in such a great place for that."
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"I started playing tennis when I was around 10 years old. I really liked the sport and grew up watching it, then one day I just decided to try it. After that, I pretty much fell in love with the sport and kept going with it."
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Were there any other sports that you played growing up?
"Before I started playing tennis, I played competitive soccer. I started playing when I was three years old and then once I started playing tennis, I stopped playing soccer."
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Being ranked the No. 1 junior in Puerto Rico, what was the competition like playing there? How did it help you develop into the player that you are today?
"Tennis in Puerto Rico was very competitive. There were a lot of great players. It definitely helped me be more competitive and it also gave me confidence because I was the top-ranked junior player. I was also able to get better because of how many different players that I played from different countries."
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What was it like to represent Puerto Rico in the Davis Cup?
"There is nothing better than representing your country for the sport that you love. You aren't playing for yourself, you are playing for your team and playing for your country as well. It was a very great and humbling experience."
Â
Why did you decide to come to the University of Utah? What stuck out about the U that made you choose coming here over other schools?
"Definitely the tennis program. Utah has such great training facilities and the coaches were great, too."
Â
What has been the biggest adjustment coming to Utah from Puerto Rico?
"It's a totally different culture and the food is different from what I'm used to as well. The weather is also a lot different. This is the first time that I've ever seen snow, which is really cool."
Â
What are you most excited about with playing tennis at the U and in the Pac-12 conference?
"We have a great team this year and we are going to play against some of the top-ranked colleges in tennis this year too. It's going to be a tough challenge, but it's going to be really cool to get this type of opportunity."
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What is the best tennis-related memory that you have?
"My best memory is when we won the world championship for the 14 and under division in Central America. That was one of the greatest achievements that I have as a tennis player, and also representing my country."
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When you aren't playing tennis, what are your favorite hobbies or things to do in your free time?
"Watch Netflix, play video games, and hangout with my teammates. I also plan on starting to get into hiking soon since I am now in such a great place for that."
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Utah Men's Tennis 2025-26 Pronunciations
Wednesday, September 10
Role models. Trailblazers. Legends. Celebrating our #AAPI student-athletes this month and always.
Monday, May 20
2019 Men's Tennis NCAA Tournament Press Conference
Tuesday, May 14
Utah Takes on #1 USC Friday, April 6
Wednesday, June 01