Karlsson has the right stuff

By Erin Semple
Staff Writer

Thomas Karlsson, the Bobcat tennis team captain, is the number one player and intends to stay there.
This is Karlsson’s second year with the Bobcats, and he plays in the top spot of the lineup for the Bobcats.
“Thomas is our number one player. He is playing very well compared to last year,” said Steve Barsby, head coach. “He has gotten in better shape and seems more committed this year, which has helped him a lot. His whole work ethic has changed. He is committed to being successful and making the team successful.”
Karlsson’s strong points are his work ethic and maturity.
“We even made him team captain this year,” said Barsby. “He understands that there is a time for fun and a time to work.”
However, Barsby said that he needs to work on his performance in doubles. His doubles partner is Mikael Pettersson.
“In singles, he is working hard and going in the right direction,” said Barsby. “Everything seems to be going where I want it to go and where he wants it to go.”
Karlsson intends to stay number one this season.
“I want to stay as number one. Hopefully, I will get some good wins,” said Karlsson. “I don’t have too many goals left, because I know my limits. I will keep it up and keep playing tennis, so I can graduate from here sometime in the near future.
Being number one brings along the pressure of having to always perform.
“There is always pressure playing number one because everyone wants it,” said Karlsson.
The tennis team is looking forward to a better season.
“They are better than last year. It will be interesting to see how the season goes,” said Barsby. “It was tough to come back this year, but they took the challenge and will work harder to become better.”
Barsby believes that the tennis team has what it takes to make it to the Regionals this year.
“My goal is to get to the Regionals, which requires a record of 500 and being one of the top 16 in your region,” said Barsby. “If we play well and hard, I think it’s a goal we can achieve. I think the atmosphere is better this year. They believe in themselves a little more; I think they will pull out big wins.”
Karlsson, who won several junior and senior tournaments in Sweden, is from Vasteras, Sweden. He speaks Swedish, German, and English and can understand Norwegian.
“People are much friendlier here than at home, [where] they don’t say hi. School is easier here,” said Karlsson. “It’s not such a big difference. Sweden is like America. Europe is getting more like America.”
In Sweden around this time, the temperature is the low 30s, which prevents tennis players from playing outside.
“I like playing outside,” said Karlsson.
Karlsson found information about Georgia College & State University on the Internet, which attracted him to email the assistant coach, Niels Sigurdsson.
“We are both Swedish. I like that I could talk with someone who could understand me especially in the beginning,” said Karlsson. “I can express myself well. Some Americans don’t like foreigners, but some think that it is exciting, so they will come up to me and talk to me. It’s not that hard.”
The tennis teams first match is on Tuesday, Feb. 19 at 2 p.m. at the Centennial Center.

Posted by Colonnade Archives on Feb 15 2002. Filed under Sports. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry