This season, the Auburn men’s tennis team is credited for showcasing the talents with students from around the world. Lukas Ollert is one of these exceptional players, born and raised in Munich, Germany, who also serves as team captain, reigning as the only senior on the 2015 team.
The decision to play at Auburn was easy for Ollert, who was swayed by a former player who was also from Germany.
“I actually didn’t want to go to college,” Ollert said. “I wanted to study in Germany, and then a former player, Tim Puetz, just told me to visit, and I liked it.”
Many athletes who decide to attend Auburn are usually local residents, at least in the United States. For Ollert, the relocation was a huge change in culture.
“Being from Germany is like being from New York here,” Ollert said. “It’s a stressed life. Everything is busy. People are kind of mean.”
Ollert said he likes the change. To him, it’s a more peaceful environment to focus on tennis.
“The South is, in general, a really nice place,” Ollert said. “People are more chill. It fits me a lot. It makes me happy.”
Since Ollert currently stands as the only player in his last year at Auburn, it fits he stepped up to team captain. When younger players get stressed about unnecessary distractions, Ollert helps to calm them down.
“It’s a tough thing, I think, because we have lots of young guys,” Ollert said. “I’m the only really experienced guy… I have to lead them.”
Sophomore Olle Thestrup said Ollert brings a higher level of maturity as a teammate and helps set a positive example for his younger, inexperienced teammates.
“(Ollert teaches us) everything really … on and off the court,” Thestrup said. “Being physical as well as professional, making good grades, always showing up on time, taking everything seriously.”
Thestrup also said he has already learned the importance of being close with your teammates as a newer player.
“Telling people how you feel is an important factor,” Thestrup said. “It’s a small team, so keeping good relationships with everyone is important.”
Looking back on his time at Auburn, Ollert said his favorite experience was his match against Alabama, where the team defeated the Crimson Tide on their home court.
As far as plans for after college go, Ollert said he’s not 100 percent sure of where he will go from here.
“I set myself a goal,” Ollert said. “If I make top 15 in college, I’ll play professional, and I hope I get there. If not, I’ll probably be a graduate assistant.”
Coach Eric Shore said he thinks Ollert has a good shot at going pro.
“If that’s what he decides to do, I would encourage him to give it a shot,” Shore said. “He’s come a long way since he was a freshman.”
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