Oklahoma State University Athletics
International Series: Family Atmosphere Helping Ismailov Adjust to Stillwater
March 07, 2016 | Cowboy Tennis
This is the new Oklahoma State tennis feature series called the International Series. Each feature will tell a different story of a player or coach on the Cowboy Tennis squad.Â
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By Patrick Osborne, OSU Athletics Communications
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Temur Ismailov's teammates know what he is going through.
They know because other than Edmond, Oklahoma, native Nathan Roper, the rest are international athletes who had to go through their first semester in a foreign land with an unfamiliar language.
Born in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, Ismailov started playing tennis to be active and stay healthy at the age of six.
"My parents chose it for me," Ismailov said. "I was so small."
Four years later he started competing in tournaments. They weren't major tournaments, and he didn't feel too much pressure. He said he couldn't remember when he decided to try to play professional or college tennis, he only remembers trying to take things slow.
Soon enough, Ismailov was playing professional tennis around the world. Success came early on the international stage, as he won the Kazakhstan F3 Futures and Uzbekistan F4 Futures singles titles in 2015.
While traveling the world, Ismailov had opportunities to meet people from numerous countries, but one in particular led to his arrival at Oklahoma State. He told him about the benefits of playing college tennis and the success coach Jay Udwadia and the Cowboys were having.
It was an easy decision; the kid who started playing tennis to stay active would become a Cowboy.
Ismailov wouldn't be a complete stranger to America when he arrived in Stillwater, though. He would only be a stranger to Oklahoma.
"I stayed here in Florida for four months a year ago so I knew a little about America," he said. "But in Florida it's a little different. Here it's like a western movie. It's not bad. I like it (here)."
Similar to some of his teammates, Ismailov missed the fall semester and joined the team in January.
Udwadia wasn't worried about him having to adjust to his new school in his non-primary language because he never has with his international student athletes. Udwadia said high schools overseas are generally tougher than those found in America, so international athletes such as Ismailov usually come in a little more mature than the typical American athlete.
"They're English might not be quite as developed, but they come in with pretty good discipline and a good head on their shoulders," Udwadia said. "They're really going into the system pretty easily.
"We have a lot of tutors and help they can get once they get here. It's just maybe staying on top of them the first month or so. We have a good family type atmosphere where the guys will make sure to help each other out with anything they need off the court."
Udwadia said the family atmosphere established within the program has led to great results on and off the court. The upperclassmen know the expectations for inside the Michael and Anne Greenwood Tennis Center and the classroom, and they take it upon themselves to help incoming international students reach those expectations.
"Our goal isn't to just have the kid stay eligible," he said. "Our goal is to have a 3.0 (GPA) or higher. Our team GPA last semester was 3.3 and we've never gone below 3.0. So when I talk about the kids adjusting well, I'm not looking for them to just be eligible. I want them to get a 3.0 or higher and they've been able to do that."
As for Ismailov, the adjustment inside the classroom has gone well. Udwadia said the biggest key is getting newcomers such as him through their first semester. Once they succeed with the support staff offered to them, he said they generally don't use the staff as much the following semesters.
In regard to the adjustment on the court, Ismailov has succeeded there as well. Coming in with plenty of experience, Ismailov had the talent to find early success. In fact, he is all ready playing at one of the top spots for the Cowboys.
Professional tennis was fun, but Ismailov said he enjoys the thrill of playing at the college level with a world-class facility.
"Here there are so many people watching us," he said. "If you play on the road they try to push you down. Every match is important because you see the people who are supporting you. You should try to (give 100 percent) or more than 100 percent. I think it's good for my focus and future playing."
This support fuels Ismailov and his teammates, whether they are at the Greenwood Tennis Center or walking around campus.
"The atmosphere here is so good," he said. "Everyone wants to support and say good things. It's easy, but at the same time it's very important. Even if I'm walking in the Student Union or to class someone will see me, ask me what sport I play and tell me good luck. It's nice."
Ismailov said the support around campus would always be appreciated, but it also adds some pressure with so many people wanting him and the rest of the Cowboys to win.
Although he said the pressure has all ready made him mentally stronger and tougher, he's not sure whether he enjoys it. He just knows it's a part of life.
"It's difficult to say," he said. "Without pressure, nothing happens. Even if you're a normal student you should pass important tests or do good at job interviews. There's pressure for everyone, it's just different pressure for players."Â
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By Patrick Osborne, OSU Athletics Communications
Â
Temur Ismailov's teammates know what he is going through.
They know because other than Edmond, Oklahoma, native Nathan Roper, the rest are international athletes who had to go through their first semester in a foreign land with an unfamiliar language.
Born in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, Ismailov started playing tennis to be active and stay healthy at the age of six.
"My parents chose it for me," Ismailov said. "I was so small."
Four years later he started competing in tournaments. They weren't major tournaments, and he didn't feel too much pressure. He said he couldn't remember when he decided to try to play professional or college tennis, he only remembers trying to take things slow.
Soon enough, Ismailov was playing professional tennis around the world. Success came early on the international stage, as he won the Kazakhstan F3 Futures and Uzbekistan F4 Futures singles titles in 2015.
While traveling the world, Ismailov had opportunities to meet people from numerous countries, but one in particular led to his arrival at Oklahoma State. He told him about the benefits of playing college tennis and the success coach Jay Udwadia and the Cowboys were having.
It was an easy decision; the kid who started playing tennis to stay active would become a Cowboy.
Ismailov wouldn't be a complete stranger to America when he arrived in Stillwater, though. He would only be a stranger to Oklahoma.
"I stayed here in Florida for four months a year ago so I knew a little about America," he said. "But in Florida it's a little different. Here it's like a western movie. It's not bad. I like it (here)."
Similar to some of his teammates, Ismailov missed the fall semester and joined the team in January.
Udwadia wasn't worried about him having to adjust to his new school in his non-primary language because he never has with his international student athletes. Udwadia said high schools overseas are generally tougher than those found in America, so international athletes such as Ismailov usually come in a little more mature than the typical American athlete.
"They're English might not be quite as developed, but they come in with pretty good discipline and a good head on their shoulders," Udwadia said. "They're really going into the system pretty easily.
"We have a lot of tutors and help they can get once they get here. It's just maybe staying on top of them the first month or so. We have a good family type atmosphere where the guys will make sure to help each other out with anything they need off the court."
Udwadia said the family atmosphere established within the program has led to great results on and off the court. The upperclassmen know the expectations for inside the Michael and Anne Greenwood Tennis Center and the classroom, and they take it upon themselves to help incoming international students reach those expectations.
"Our goal isn't to just have the kid stay eligible," he said. "Our goal is to have a 3.0 (GPA) or higher. Our team GPA last semester was 3.3 and we've never gone below 3.0. So when I talk about the kids adjusting well, I'm not looking for them to just be eligible. I want them to get a 3.0 or higher and they've been able to do that."
As for Ismailov, the adjustment inside the classroom has gone well. Udwadia said the biggest key is getting newcomers such as him through their first semester. Once they succeed with the support staff offered to them, he said they generally don't use the staff as much the following semesters.
In regard to the adjustment on the court, Ismailov has succeeded there as well. Coming in with plenty of experience, Ismailov had the talent to find early success. In fact, he is all ready playing at one of the top spots for the Cowboys.
Professional tennis was fun, but Ismailov said he enjoys the thrill of playing at the college level with a world-class facility.
"Here there are so many people watching us," he said. "If you play on the road they try to push you down. Every match is important because you see the people who are supporting you. You should try to (give 100 percent) or more than 100 percent. I think it's good for my focus and future playing."
This support fuels Ismailov and his teammates, whether they are at the Greenwood Tennis Center or walking around campus.
"The atmosphere here is so good," he said. "Everyone wants to support and say good things. It's easy, but at the same time it's very important. Even if I'm walking in the Student Union or to class someone will see me, ask me what sport I play and tell me good luck. It's nice."
Ismailov said the support around campus would always be appreciated, but it also adds some pressure with so many people wanting him and the rest of the Cowboys to win.
Although he said the pressure has all ready made him mentally stronger and tougher, he's not sure whether he enjoys it. He just knows it's a part of life.
"It's difficult to say," he said. "Without pressure, nothing happens. Even if you're a normal student you should pass important tests or do good at job interviews. There's pressure for everyone, it's just different pressure for players."Â
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