The UC Irvine women's tennis team is a tight knit group composed of 11 returners and two newcomers. One of those newcomers is Halla Alajeely, a transfer from Irvine Valley College. Before the start of the spring season, Halla answered some questions about her experience with the team, what makes tennis so special, and her development as a player and a person.
 
Halla Alajeely
Women's Tennis
Year: Junior
Major: Public Health
Hometown: Irvine, California
 
You're from Irvine. You went to Irvine Valley College. What does it mean to you to represent Irvine?
I've moved a lot my whole life, lots of different cities and different countries. I've been to 8 schools from first grade to 12th. When I moved here in 2015, it was kind of a relief to be in one place for a while, where I was able to develop a sense of community around me. Choosing to go to IVC wasn't based on tennis, I wanted to stay around my family and friends.
 
As you made the transition from Irvine Valley College to UC Irvine how did the team welcome you?
This team was very welcoming ever since my recruiting trip. Everyone took the time to get to know me better. They were very inclusive in everything including social events, team bonding, and study table. This team is very mature in a sense of always being friendly and accepting compared to any previous teams I've been a part of.
 
What are your goals now that you are at UC Irvine?
I had a lot of pressure playing tennis growing up. Traveling to different countries to compete was a big commitment making me fall behind in school. My parents were also very big with academics, having enrolled me in one of the most difficult private British schools in the Middle East. So I dealt with a lot of stress on and off the court, but it was worth it and I feel like it prepared me for UCI. My goal here at UCI is to allow myself to perform my best without putting on any unnecessary pressure.
 
At Irvine Valley College you were an All-American in both singles and doubles. What does it take to succeed at such a high level?
I was able to succeed at a high level because of my hard work and discipline. I took 29 units during season in spring 2019. A big reason for my success was my ability to manage my time well. I was on top of my assignments, didn't pull all-nighters, and made sure I was staying healthy throughout.
 
What is your favorite part of tennis?
My favorite part about tennis is that it's a very creative and individual sport. There are many different ways to win a point. There's a lot of different styles of tennis and you need to figure out how to deal with different types of players. I think it makes you a stronger individual.
 
Do you have a tennis player you look up to?
I don't really have any players to look up to. I don't like to compare myself with others even professionals, because as humans we take it very hard when we can't perform as well as someone else. Tennis is an individual sport and you have to believe in yourself to succeed.
 
Why did you choose your major? What are your plans after graduation?
I'm not really sure what I want to do after I graduate. I chose public health because it's very broad. But I am leaning more towards dental school. I don't think I will be mature enough to take on the world by next year, there's always room to learn more, so I don't think my student days will be over any time soon.
 
Do you have a pregame routine or any superstitions?
I have a lot of ridiculous superstitions in tennis. I have one where I can't play with a ball if I had just lost a point with it. I can't play if the door is open. I can't play if my hair is not braided. And the worst of all, the person who wins the first point loses the match.
 
What has been the biggest contributor to your success thus far?
My biggest contributor to my success has been my sisters. With moving to different cities and attending new schools almost every year I found a lot of comfort having done it with my sisters by my side. They are always making it fun, memorable, and exciting.
 
We see you've been to many countries. How has seeing so many countries and cultures influenced your development on and off the court?
Seeing the world at such a young age has been such a blessing. I have met someone from almost every country and being exposed to so many cultures has taught me so much and encouraged me to be more aware with what's going on with the world. I may have talked about moving a lot as such a burden because you never get a sense of home and you're always missing people, but through all the great memories and friends, it has shaped me in to the person I am today.