Q&A With Daffra Sanon

Daffra Sanon, from Paris, France, will begin his junior season of collegiate tennis action when the Clemson men’s tennis team opens the spring season on Saturday, Jan. 16 against Mercer in Charlotte, N.C. Sanon transferred to Clemson in 2014 after playing his freshman year at the University of Washington.

ClemsonTigers.com caught up with Sanon earlier this week.

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

A. In France you cannot play tennis and go to school at the same time. You have to choose between tennis and your studies, and I was not ready to choose. Being able to do both is what led me to play in the United States.

Q. Why did decide to transfer to Clemson?

 A. The coaches are the main reason I transferred here. They recruited me heavily before I came to the United States. The structure of the program was a big deciding factor for me as well. Clemson is one of the best, we play in one of the best conferences in the country, and I wanted to compete against the best.

Q. What are your expectations for this upcoming season as a team and individually?

 A. I expect our team to make it to the NCAA Sweet 16 this year. Individually, I want to compete to the best of my ability, I want to win as many matches as possible and give my team points to put us a position to win.

Q. Can you describe what it is like to be a student-athlete?

A. It is hard but fun at the same time. You do not have much time to do anything outside of schoolwork and tennis. My typical day consists of going to practice in the morning, going to class in the afternoon, and then going back home to study. When all of that is done, the day is basically over and it starts all over again the next day. I enjoy it though.