Photo by: Austin Perryman/MSU Athletics
Hernandez Making Strides As A Sophomore
February 15, 2022 | Men's Tennis
STARKVILLE – Carles Hernandez closed out his freshman campaign by claiming a pair of wins at the NCAA Team Championships in Orlando, Florida last year and helped Mississippi State advance to the Round of 16.
Hernandez defeated Miami's Oren Vasser and UCF's Trey Hilderbrand in three sets on consecutive days which helped him boost his self-belief and proved that his hard work and efforts were already paying off.
"It obviously made me more confident and motivated," Hernandez said. "I was happy for a couple of days but then went back to work."
Hernandez has carried the momentum that he created at the end of last season into this spring as a sophomore. He is currently 3-2 in singles play with a straight-set victory over then No. 25 Aleksa Bucan of Arkansas on ITA Kickoff Weekend. It is the highest-ranked win of his still-young career.
The Crevillent, Spain native nearly knocked off then fourth-ranked Gabriel Diallo of Kentucky the next day as well. Hernandez won the first set 6-4, lost the second 6-3 and was ahead 2-1 in the decisive third set when the match was suspended after the Wildcats clinched.
"I would've loved if they allowed me to finish the match against Kentucky," Hernandez said. "I won the first set but lost the second even though I was playing good. But in the third set, I was feeling even better than before. I think if they would've given me the opportunity to finish that match, I would've continued increasing my level."
It is that type of tenacity that has earned Hernandez a reputation for relentlessness among his teammates and opponents alike. It also gained him a new nickname in the process as well.
"We call Carles 'The Mosquito' because he never goes away and plays his best tennis when it means the most," said head coach Matt Roberts. "He embraces pressure and loves being the clincher. He has always had that killer instinct and now is starting to take a more aggressive approach to his game. His serve and attacking short balls have been big improvements from last year to now. He is a main part of our team's culture and brings a lot of confidence to our team daily in practices and in matches."
LIFE DEDICATION TO TENNIS
Five years ago when Hernandez was 16, he and his family made a major commitment to the sport of tennis.
Hernandez enrolled in a tennis academy headed up by a hero in Hernandez's home country and the former No. 1 player in the world – Juan Carlos Ferrero.
Hernandez would leave home at 8 each morning and usually return at 8 at night, unless he decided to spend the night at the school. He would practice tennis all day but still made time to continue his education between workouts and also late at night when he arrived back home.
"Since the end of 2017, I've been dedicating my life to tennis," Hernandez said. "Back home, I was winning a lot of good national tournaments and playing good matches in juniors. My family and I decided to make the next step but never at any moment did we think to stop studying."
MOVING TOÂ STARKVEGAS
Hernandez's commitment to continuing tennis career and education led him to Mississippi State in January 2021. He was immediately thrust into the Bulldogs' lineup in the No. 4 and No. 5 positions but has since climbed to third in singles play.
Hernandez only played one doubles match during his freshman season but has partnered with fellow Spaniard Alberto Colas this year. He admits, however, that the team concept of college tennis took some getting used to at first.
"I was used to being by myself on court and everywhere there were signs saying that you have to be quiet," Hernandez said. "Here, it's completely the opposite. The crowd is very loud and you're next to your teammates."
Hernandez adapted quickly to his new surroundings in the United States. And while he still enjoys some alone time in the mornings, he cherishes the friendships that he has made with his Bulldog teammates.
"I love everything here honestly," Hernandez said. "I like that we have time for ourselves. I like to be by myself in the mornings and walk to classes and listen to my music and maybe do some exercises. But I'm grateful to have that group of people we have on this tennis team. Luckily, we all share the same interests. They are unbelievable people and the most important thing to me is having that group that I can spend my time with."
BURGERS, DONUTS AND A DIET
One of the things Hernandez was looking forward to the most about moving to the U.S. was trying all of the food he'd seen in American commercials.
He quickly learned, however, that moderation would be key in devouring this newfound cuisine.
"When I was back home in Spain, I'd see all the ads on social media from America that were huge burgers or unbelievable donuts with glaze. It looked good. After I came here and tried it, it was good but only for maybe once or twice every few months because if you eat that stuff too often it would not be good. I'm pretty strict with my diet."
Moving halfway around the world would be hard for most people. But Hernandez credits all the time he spent away from his family during his teenage years at the tennis academy with helping him cope with being homesick once he came to college.
"Of course, I have moments where I wish I could be closer to my friends and my family," Hernandez said. "But thank God that we have phones and all this technology where I can be in touch with any of them any time of the day."
Hernandez has only been a student at Mississippi State for a little over a year. But in that short span, he has already been able to make fond memories and lifelong friends.
"My time here has passed by fast," Hernandez said. "When you enjoy things, I think the time flies by. I've had pretty good memories from this past year. It's been an unbelievable experience and I'm looking forward to having many, many more over the next two years here."
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Hernandez defeated Miami's Oren Vasser and UCF's Trey Hilderbrand in three sets on consecutive days which helped him boost his self-belief and proved that his hard work and efforts were already paying off.
"It obviously made me more confident and motivated," Hernandez said. "I was happy for a couple of days but then went back to work."
Hernandez has carried the momentum that he created at the end of last season into this spring as a sophomore. He is currently 3-2 in singles play with a straight-set victory over then No. 25 Aleksa Bucan of Arkansas on ITA Kickoff Weekend. It is the highest-ranked win of his still-young career.
The Crevillent, Spain native nearly knocked off then fourth-ranked Gabriel Diallo of Kentucky the next day as well. Hernandez won the first set 6-4, lost the second 6-3 and was ahead 2-1 in the decisive third set when the match was suspended after the Wildcats clinched.
"I would've loved if they allowed me to finish the match against Kentucky," Hernandez said. "I won the first set but lost the second even though I was playing good. But in the third set, I was feeling even better than before. I think if they would've given me the opportunity to finish that match, I would've continued increasing my level."
It is that type of tenacity that has earned Hernandez a reputation for relentlessness among his teammates and opponents alike. It also gained him a new nickname in the process as well.
"We call Carles 'The Mosquito' because he never goes away and plays his best tennis when it means the most," said head coach Matt Roberts. "He embraces pressure and loves being the clincher. He has always had that killer instinct and now is starting to take a more aggressive approach to his game. His serve and attacking short balls have been big improvements from last year to now. He is a main part of our team's culture and brings a lot of confidence to our team daily in practices and in matches."
LIFE DEDICATION TO TENNIS
Five years ago when Hernandez was 16, he and his family made a major commitment to the sport of tennis.
Hernandez enrolled in a tennis academy headed up by a hero in Hernandez's home country and the former No. 1 player in the world – Juan Carlos Ferrero.
Hernandez would leave home at 8 each morning and usually return at 8 at night, unless he decided to spend the night at the school. He would practice tennis all day but still made time to continue his education between workouts and also late at night when he arrived back home.
"Since the end of 2017, I've been dedicating my life to tennis," Hernandez said. "Back home, I was winning a lot of good national tournaments and playing good matches in juniors. My family and I decided to make the next step but never at any moment did we think to stop studying."
MOVING TOÂ STARKVEGAS
Hernandez's commitment to continuing tennis career and education led him to Mississippi State in January 2021. He was immediately thrust into the Bulldogs' lineup in the No. 4 and No. 5 positions but has since climbed to third in singles play.
Hernandez only played one doubles match during his freshman season but has partnered with fellow Spaniard Alberto Colas this year. He admits, however, that the team concept of college tennis took some getting used to at first.
"I was used to being by myself on court and everywhere there were signs saying that you have to be quiet," Hernandez said. "Here, it's completely the opposite. The crowd is very loud and you're next to your teammates."
Hernandez adapted quickly to his new surroundings in the United States. And while he still enjoys some alone time in the mornings, he cherishes the friendships that he has made with his Bulldog teammates.
"I love everything here honestly," Hernandez said. "I like that we have time for ourselves. I like to be by myself in the mornings and walk to classes and listen to my music and maybe do some exercises. But I'm grateful to have that group of people we have on this tennis team. Luckily, we all share the same interests. They are unbelievable people and the most important thing to me is having that group that I can spend my time with."
BURGERS, DONUTS AND A DIET
One of the things Hernandez was looking forward to the most about moving to the U.S. was trying all of the food he'd seen in American commercials.
He quickly learned, however, that moderation would be key in devouring this newfound cuisine.
"When I was back home in Spain, I'd see all the ads on social media from America that were huge burgers or unbelievable donuts with glaze. It looked good. After I came here and tried it, it was good but only for maybe once or twice every few months because if you eat that stuff too often it would not be good. I'm pretty strict with my diet."
Moving halfway around the world would be hard for most people. But Hernandez credits all the time he spent away from his family during his teenage years at the tennis academy with helping him cope with being homesick once he came to college.
"Of course, I have moments where I wish I could be closer to my friends and my family," Hernandez said. "But thank God that we have phones and all this technology where I can be in touch with any of them any time of the day."
Hernandez has only been a student at Mississippi State for a little over a year. But in that short span, he has already been able to make fond memories and lifelong friends.
"My time here has passed by fast," Hernandez said. "When you enjoy things, I think the time flies by. I've had pretty good memories from this past year. It's been an unbelievable experience and I'm looking forward to having many, many more over the next two years here."
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Players Mentioned
/ Men's Tennis
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