Photo by: Kevin Snyder/MSU Athletics
From Globetrotter To Impact Player
April 19, 2022 | Women's Tennis
The first year of college can be difficult for some, especially for international students adjusting to a new country and culture.
That, however, was not the case for Tamara Racine. When Racine arrived at Mississippi State in the fall of 2018, it was already the fifth country the native Canadian has lived in to pursue her passion for tennis.
"That's what helped me adapt so quickly at Mississippi State because I've done it all my life," Racine said.
Racine left Montreal at the tender age of 12 and moved to Spain. For the next three years, she trained there before moving to France for a year and then on to Turkey before eventually landing in the United States to play for the Bulldogs.
Racine's four seasons at MSU has seen her reach 14th in doubles during both her sophomore and junior years and also held her first singles ranking this spring as a senior.
"Tamara has been an impact player in both singles and doubles during her time here at Mississippi State," said head coach Daryl Greenan. "She parlayed her abilities into several clutch wins for our team and earned national rankings in singles and doubles. She is a very talented athlete and has had a successful college career."
Racine was responsible for two of the Bulldogs' biggest singles wins of the dual match season this year. The senior scored a 5-7, 6-4, [10-7] upset over then 22nd-ranked Mell Reasco of Georgia on the road on March 4. She also clinched State's first Southeastern Conference victory with her 2-6, 6-3, 6-2 win over Alabama's Ola Pitak two weeks later.
"The win at Georgia was the biggest win of my career," Racine said. "I'd been losing my matches and going on the court and not feeling motivated. But I cried after that win. That definitely made me more confident and was excited to continue competing. Even my win against Alabama contributed to that because it was our first win in the SEC."
CANADIAN CONNECTION
Racine is one of three members of the Mississippi State women's tennis team that hail from North of the Border alongside Greenan and Alexandra Mikhailuk. Playing for Greenan – a self-described "proud Canadian" - is one of the things that appealed the most to Racine during the recruiting process.
"From the moment I first started speaking with Daryl, I had that connection," Racine said. "We just hit it off. He's also Canadian. When I came on a visit, I really just had a good vibe with the team and could see myself playing here."
The fact that the Bulldogs play in a competitive conference with a supportive fan base also helped their cause.
"I like the SEC vibe with the fans," Racine said. "Sports are so important here and to be a student-athlete here, you just feel proud to play for Mississippi State. It's like a family and that's what I'm going to miss the most."
COMING TO A CLOSE
Racine has already played for the final time at the A.J. Pitts Tennis Centre and will suit up for her 198th and 199th overall career matches on Wednesday when the Bulldogs open the SEC Tournament against Missouri in Gainesville, Fla.
Racine is set to graduate next month with an undergraduate degree in fashion merchandising (also minored in marketing). Next, she will start work on her master's degree in sport management and see where the that journey takes her.
"I've always thought of being in the fashion world but I'm opening more doors now and want to see what I can do," Racine said.
With her time in Maroon and White winding down, Racine is grateful for the memories made during her four years in Starkville. Those experiences are things she expects to remember fondly whenever she reminisces about her collegiate tennis career later in life. Â
"I really don't have the words to explain it," Racine said. "Whenever I'm an adult and have kids, I'm going to look back on this and say 'I did it'. All the hard work when I was a child competing and practicing for these moments. I feel proud and thankful."
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That, however, was not the case for Tamara Racine. When Racine arrived at Mississippi State in the fall of 2018, it was already the fifth country the native Canadian has lived in to pursue her passion for tennis.
"That's what helped me adapt so quickly at Mississippi State because I've done it all my life," Racine said.
Racine left Montreal at the tender age of 12 and moved to Spain. For the next three years, she trained there before moving to France for a year and then on to Turkey before eventually landing in the United States to play for the Bulldogs.
Racine's four seasons at MSU has seen her reach 14th in doubles during both her sophomore and junior years and also held her first singles ranking this spring as a senior.
"Tamara has been an impact player in both singles and doubles during her time here at Mississippi State," said head coach Daryl Greenan. "She parlayed her abilities into several clutch wins for our team and earned national rankings in singles and doubles. She is a very talented athlete and has had a successful college career."
Racine was responsible for two of the Bulldogs' biggest singles wins of the dual match season this year. The senior scored a 5-7, 6-4, [10-7] upset over then 22nd-ranked Mell Reasco of Georgia on the road on March 4. She also clinched State's first Southeastern Conference victory with her 2-6, 6-3, 6-2 win over Alabama's Ola Pitak two weeks later.
"The win at Georgia was the biggest win of my career," Racine said. "I'd been losing my matches and going on the court and not feeling motivated. But I cried after that win. That definitely made me more confident and was excited to continue competing. Even my win against Alabama contributed to that because it was our first win in the SEC."
CANADIAN CONNECTION
Racine is one of three members of the Mississippi State women's tennis team that hail from North of the Border alongside Greenan and Alexandra Mikhailuk. Playing for Greenan – a self-described "proud Canadian" - is one of the things that appealed the most to Racine during the recruiting process.
"From the moment I first started speaking with Daryl, I had that connection," Racine said. "We just hit it off. He's also Canadian. When I came on a visit, I really just had a good vibe with the team and could see myself playing here."
The fact that the Bulldogs play in a competitive conference with a supportive fan base also helped their cause.
"I like the SEC vibe with the fans," Racine said. "Sports are so important here and to be a student-athlete here, you just feel proud to play for Mississippi State. It's like a family and that's what I'm going to miss the most."
COMING TO A CLOSE
Racine has already played for the final time at the A.J. Pitts Tennis Centre and will suit up for her 198th and 199th overall career matches on Wednesday when the Bulldogs open the SEC Tournament against Missouri in Gainesville, Fla.
Racine is set to graduate next month with an undergraduate degree in fashion merchandising (also minored in marketing). Next, she will start work on her master's degree in sport management and see where the that journey takes her.
"I've always thought of being in the fashion world but I'm opening more doors now and want to see what I can do," Racine said.
With her time in Maroon and White winding down, Racine is grateful for the memories made during her four years in Starkville. Those experiences are things she expects to remember fondly whenever she reminisces about her collegiate tennis career later in life. Â
"I really don't have the words to explain it," Racine said. "Whenever I'm an adult and have kids, I'm going to look back on this and say 'I did it'. All the hard work when I was a child competing and practicing for these moments. I feel proud and thankful."
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