Q&A With Alex Favrot

Alex Favrot, a freshman from Lyon, France, will see his first collegiate tennis action when the Clemson men’s tennis team opens the spring season on Saturday, Jan. 16 against Mercer in Charlotte, N.C. When he arrived on campus in the fall of 2015, Favrot brought along with him a tremendous amount of competitiveness and intensity, and has already made a significant impact on the Tiger team.

ClemsonTigers.com caught up with Favrot prior to winter break.

Q. Why did you want to come to the U.S. and play collegiate tennis?

A. I wanted to continue to my studies and also continue working on my tennis. The United States is the only place that you can do that. In France, you have to choose between your studies and your sport, and I wasn’t ready to make that choice, so coming to the U.S. for college was the perfect move for me.

Q. Why did you choose Clemson?

A. When I came on my visit, John (Assistant Coach John Boetsch) and Coach (Head Coach Chuck McCuen) were really great. They were the first reason why I really wanted to come. Then, meeting the other staff and the team – every single person was welcoming to me. It really felt like a family to me.

I also really like the way that the team trains and also the importance that is put on strength and conditioning. That is something that is very important to me.

Finally, Clemson is a good school. With all of those things put together, it was the perfect place for me.

Q. What do you think about the college experience so far?

A. It’s kind of hard to explain. You feel free. I love the atmosphere and the school spirit that everyone has.

Q. What do you bring to the team?

A. I hate to lose; that’s the first thing. I want to win every time I step on the court. I try to bring intensity and a great attitude to every practice, and I always push my teammates. I have a lot of energy and focus at practice, and I think it helps to bring that out in everyone on the team. I am not always able to say exactly what I am mean because of my English, but I always try to lead by example and deliver a message with my actions.

Q. Anything else you’d like to add?

A. Just that I’m proud to be a Tiger. It means a lot to me to be here.