COLUMBIA, S.C. — The University of South Carolina’s tennis courts have become more than a training ground for serves and matches. Over the past decade, they have become a global hub, home to student-athletes from all around the world.
As international recruiting in college athletics continues to grow, USC’s tennis teams are seeing more players from outside the United States, reflecting a larger trend in NCAA tennis.
International Recruiting
According to the NCAA’s Student-Athlete Demographics Report, more than 60% of Division I men’s tennis players and more than 50% of women’s players come from other countries. Tennis has one of the highest percentages of international athletes in college sports, overtaking sports like soccer and swimming.
At USC, the shift is clear. In 2014, just two of the nine players on the men’s tennis team were international. By 2020, that number increased to five out of 10. This season, six of 10 players on the men’s roster come from countries such as Germany, France, Australia, Brazil, Turkey and Scotland.
The women’s team has followed a similar path. In 2014, three out of 10 players were international. In 2020, this rose to four out of 11. Now, five of the 10 players on the women’s team come from France, Germany, Macedonia, and Sweden.
“We’re a team, we come from a lot of different countries,” said Bella Bergqvist Larsson, a freshman athlete from Sweden. “We have so many different cultures mixed into this team.”
Why Athletes Choose the U.S.
For many international players, the U.S. offers opportunities that aren’t available in their home countries—specifically, the chance to compete in high-level athletics while pursuing a college degree.
“Compared to Sweden, the colleges here provide a lot of opportunities to play your sport at a very high level at the same time as doing higher education,” said Larsson. “I just felt like it was a great opportunity.”
Axel Damiens, USC’s associate head coach for women’s tennis, plays a key role in recruiting. He says much of the work happens overseas: evaluating talent in person, building relationships and presenting what the university can offer.
“I go to Europe, some coaches go to South America,” Damiens said. “We go wherever the kids are. Watch them play, evaluate them and then try to go into recruiting, ‘like hey, this is what we have to offer. This is what we can do for you.’”
But Damiens also said current players are often the most effective recruiters.
“I can try my hardest,” he said. “But if our players are talking great things about us, and having a great experience here, they’re going to attract others. Some of their friends will want to come here too and have an even better experience together.”
A Cultural Adjustment
For many international athletes, the adjustment to American college tennis comes with challenges—including culture shock, team dynamics, and intense match environments.
“College tennis is very different from the tennis I’ve played at home in Europe and in Sweden,” Bergqvist Larsson said. “In Sweden, everyone is very quiet, very conservative. Here, everyone is so loud. The climate is crazy at matches.”
Another major shift is playing as part of a team. In most international tournaments, tennis is an individual sport. In the NCAA, it’s team-based—with athletes competing for points toward an overall team win.
“Tennis is an individual sport, but here at the college level, it doesn’t matter where you go—it’s a team sport,” Stenzer said. “You’re alone on court, but you’re playing for the program. You play for the team.”
Damiens says the team structure helps many athletes feel connected and supported during their time away from home.
“It’s not easy being on the other side of the world without your family,” he said. “So this kind of becomes your new family.”
With the continued growth of international recruiting, USC is expected to continue to recruit around the globe. Coaches say the benefits go beyond competition—they bring diversity, broaden cultural awareness and create a strong sense of community.
