Athlete of the Week: Moises Escobar

Senior Moises Escobar has accumulated wins all over the world in his sport of choice: tennis. He has moved around his whole life, but tennis has served as his one constant.

He started playing at eight years old when he was living in Houston. He played tournaments throughout his childhood, both in Houston and in Saudi Arabia, and at one point in his life, Escobar was even ranked seventh in his age group in Asia.

Escobar spent his sophomore year at a tennis academy in Barcelona, Spain, and said that this was the year he discovered how much he loves tennis.

“I was playing six hours a day, and I realized I loved tennis simply because I didn’t hate doing that quantity of it,” he said. “I was always excited to play, day in and day out. I loved the grind.”

He attributes much of his success as a tennis player to the year he spent in Barcelona, and to a coach he had there, Fernando Luna. Luna played professionally on the ATP tour, and Escobar said that his game improved significantly under Luna’s instruction.

“I didn’t really know where to start when I first got here. I don’t think I would have settled in so well if it weren’t for tennis. It was a great way to meet people at the start of my time here.”

“He really helped my strokes,” Escobar said. “He changed my whole game in just three months, and after that, I just kept working on perfecting my technique with him.”

Escobar believes that tennis has affected many other facets of life for him by teaching him the value of hard work.

“Tennis has taught me to persevere. After hours and hours of playing, you just have to find the drive to keep going at it,” Escobar said. “You’re eventually going to get that drive, and I try to apply that to my whole life, even school.”

Escobar also recalls how tennis helped him integrate into the Exeter community. He said that it made the transition as a new upper much easier for him.

“I didn’t really know where to start when I first got here. I don’t think I would have settled in so well if it weren’t for tennis. It was a great way to meet people at the start of my time here. When I got to Exeter, people knew I played tennis, so the guys on the varsity team contacted me. They’re such a great group.”

Although Escobar feels that the team took him in, many members comment that he is the one that brings the team closer together and turns the players into a cohesive unit.

“He’s a very good captain,” prep Logan Gruss said. “He keeps all of us in line, and he knows when to work hard and when to have fun. He keeps us all very interested in playing and makes the sport fun.”

Senior and manager Philip Chang said that Escobar “unifies the team.” Escobar also demonstrates many leadership abilities that are admired by teammates, coaches, friends and teachers.

“I’m someone people can count on,” Escobar said. “I try to lead by example, and I think that’s the best way to lead. That way, you don’t irritate people by nagging at them.”

“When he needs to speak, he speaks, and everyone listens,” varsity A tennis coach Freddie Brussell said. “Moises is a good leader and a hard worker. He communicates well,”

Escobar’s younger brother, lower Sergio Escobar, views his brother as a role model. He echoes the sentiment that Moises leads in a way that his teammates respect and appreciate and added that “He is admirable for his athletic abilities on the court, and for his personality off the court. He’s a very approachable guy, and he’s a natural leader.”

Sergio Escobar accompanied his brother at the tennis academy in Barcelona and said that the competition between the two made them both better.

“He and I were the two best players there and were very close in level. Because of that, Moises and I challenged each other and made each other work harder.”

“I’m captain, so I try to be a leader on the court, but I try not to be in people’s faces,” Escobar said. “[The team is] such a great group. They’re all so funny and so different, but we all come together through tennis.”

Escobar said that he feels tennis is something that unites them.

“It’s one of those sports anybody can play,” Escobar said. “I don’t think [the team and I would] be friends if we didn’t play tennis, but I’m so glad I know them.”

Escobar said that his relationship with Brussell is one of the things that makes practice enjoyable.

“Freddie’s great. He’s such a fun guy to have around. He’s not super demanding, but it’s nice, he’s like a father figure,” he said. “It’s almost like we’re hanging out at practice.”

Escobar also enjoys the way that each point in tennis is different. He said that he likes the way every player can develop their own style within the sport.

“Tennis is cool because there are so many ways to play it. I like how you can stand back and grind out points. There are rules, but you can do whatever it takes as long as you win the point.”

“[He is a] good solid player with a hard serve. He has consistency. He has a lot of power, and moves his opponent around,” Brussell said.

Escobar considers his serve to be one of his best shots. “I’m pretty tall, so I have a big serve. Naturally, I love to serve,” he said.

Escobar’s doubles partner, lower Brian Niguidula, commented on Escobar’s athletic ability.

“He’s the powerhouse of the team. He hits all of the heavy serves, and he’s usually the one that wins all of the points.”

So far this season, Escobar and the rest of boys’ tennis have been successful. With a 2-1 record so far, they’re looking forward to a good season.

“Last year, we had a really young team, so it’s mostly the same guys. Everyone is just much better now. This year we’re playing really well,” Escobar said.

Although Escobar is not committed to playing tennis in college, he is hopeful that he will be able to walk onto a team or play club level.

“I love the sport. It’s been a part of my life for so long that I can’t imagine not playing.”