When Miami native Alex Ortega finished high school in 2003 with multi state and national tennis titles, his dream was to join the professional circuit tour. Education won over his aspiration.
Instead, Ortega accepted an offer to play for the Laredo Community College tennis program last spring—a decision that has brought more honors to the talented Ortega and has kept him on the road to fulfilling his goal.
BRIGHT BEGINNINGS
Ortega’s interest in tennis began early in his life, as soon as he was “old enough to carry a racquet.”
“I began to play tennis at the age of four from my dad, who taught himself,” Ortega recalls. His dad is Columbian and his mother Argentinean.
But tennis was originally second to Ortega’s first choice in sports—soccer.
“Soccer was my favorite sport. I played with a team that won a state tournament,” notes Ortega. Although he enjoyed the team sport of soccer, he discovered a new thrill as a tennis player.
“I used to enjoy playing soccer mostly. However, I wanted to (compete) on my own, and tennis seemed to offer me that opportunity,” says Ortega.
He began to win tennis tournaments in middle school. The success continued at Miami Sunset Senior High School, where Ortega’s tennis team won four state championships and a national championship his junior year.
A DREAM IS BORN
After high school, Ortega had a big dream.
“I took a break from school and I thought of going on the professional circuit tour,” says Ortega.
However, he reconsidered his first choice and opted to pursue a college education.
“The thought of not having anything to lean back on and a career to follow was reason enough to pursue a college degree,” explained Ortega.
Ortega began his search for a college prior to the start of the spring 2004 tennis season. The nation’s top two community college men’s tennis programs wanted him—No. 1 Tyler Junior College and No. 2 LCC. Laredo won over Tyler, thanks to Ortega’s craving for bigger challenges.
“At that time, LCC was second in the nation. I felt that as a member of the Laredo team, I had a bigger challenge to pursue and conquer and that’s why I chose to attend LCC.”
Success followed Ortega to Laredo.
Last spring, Ortega was the top seed at LCC and brought new honor to the city of Laredo. He won the championship to become the No. 1 community/junior college player in America. He was also named the 2004 National Junior College Athletic Association’s Rookie of the Year and was honored as an All-American by the Intercollegiate Tennis Association.
Ortega was recently named to the 2004 ITA All-Star Team and was treated to a weekend in New York this summer, courtesy of the ITA and the Nick Bollettieri Tennis Academy. He had the opportunity to meet legendary Coach Bollettieri, who has worked with tennis greats such as Andre Agassi, Monica Seles and Tommy Haas. He also played a doubles exhibition with members of the Forest Hills Club at the West Side Tennis Club, site of the U.S. Open until 1977.
“It was an honor to meet Coach Bollettieri and top officials from the ITA,” says Ortega. “Coach Bollettieri’s speech to the All-Star Team was inspirational,” Ortega notes.
The only inconvenience he experienced in New York was a delay on his flight back to Laredo due to the arrival of the United States President at LaGuardia Airport.
ACHIEVING THE DREAM
This fall, Ortega continues his role as student-athlete at LCC. For now, he is enrolled in a full-time 18-hour college credit load that includes courses in computers, history, English, business and math. He also practices with the LCC Palomino tennis team, Mondays through Thursdays for 8 hours. Additionally, he dedicates two hours a week for body conditioning, plus more practice time on Fridays and weekends, unless he’s on the road with the team and playing exhibitions with area colleges.
“And I still manage to have some fun,” Ortega points out quickly.
Ortega has already received numerous scholarship offers from major universities, including Michigan, North Carolina (Greensborough), Texas Tech, Texas A&M-College Station and Miami. His most recent offer came from Oklahoma a few days ago.
But, Ortega plans to fulfill his sophomore year at LCC. His concentration for now is on defending his championship title and striving to improve his standings in doubles.
“Last spring, I finished third in doubles. Next season, my main goal will be to improve in this area. I will try to win every match,” says Ortega.
Ortega hopes to accomplish this feat under the guidance of LCC coach Jaime Donjuan.
“When I arrived at LCC, Coach Donjuan introduced me to new ideas about tennis, which helped me significantly. It should be no surprise to anyone why Coach Donjuan produces nationally-ranked teams. He is a great coach,” says Ortega.
Ortega says that his favorite tennis player is Pete Sampras, whom he admires for his attitude and style on the court. He also admires Anna Kournikova for her talents and her looks.
He says that his two biggest influences in his life have been his parents and a friend, who discouraged him from leaving the sport of tennis.
“Just before coming to Laredo, I went through a difficult time in my life. I stopped playing tennis for awhile before a friend encouraged me to not give up,” explained Ortega.
Thanks to that friend, Ortega is enjoying life on the court, again. His goals for 2005 are to achieve greater success on the court, receive a degree from LCC and transfer to a Division I university for the opportunity to play in National Collegiate Athletic Association tournaments. Eventually, he wants to realize his first dream: action on the professional circuit. But, for now, Ortega’s focus is on school.
ALEX ORTEGA
Office of Marketing and Public Information
West End Washington St.
Laredo, TX 78040-4395
956- 721-5140
Fax 956-721-5443