Hello everyone, I'm thrilled to share some exciting news with all of you. Last weekend marked a milestone for me as I clinched my first adults tournament victory right here in Switzerland! 🏆 It was the final showdown of the indoor season, played on hard court, and let me tell you, it was quite the journey. Five rounds draw of intense competition, but every moment was worth it. I can't wait to give you a glimpse into the action with a photo and a video from the tournament. And guess what? The cherry on top of this victory cake is that I've also secured a spot among the top 10 Swiss tennis players of my age in the latest official national ranking, which was published yesterday🎾. Thanks for your support and best wishes. Your encouragement means a lot to me. Here's to more victories, more memorable moments on the court, and more shared celebrations together! Video of The Longest Rally ! Thank you for being a part of this amazing journey with me.
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Guess who's back from their whirlwind adventure at 2024 international tennis tournaments in Europe? That's right, yours truly! And let me tell you, I had the incredible opportunity to hit the tennis court day in and day out, sometimes even from sunrise to sunset of course, with meals and relaxing breaks. And you know what's the cherry on the top? I earned ITF points, increasing my international tennis ranking. All the hard work has paid off big time because in addition to the new points, I was also able to take and share great videos with USA university coaches. During these last tournament weeks, I explored new cities, met new people, and reunited with old friends, all while enjoying delicious food. But amidst all the sightseeing and socializing, there was one thing that truly stole the show: tennis, tennis and more tennis plus I was fascinated by a sport center which is located in Sundsvall Sweden, which is considered the biggest in Europe, I named this center " Paradise", including enormous and colorful sports facilities for badminton, squash, ping pong, padel, tennis, unihockey and many other sports. Now, let's dive into some visual highlights from this unforgettable tournament journey! Get ready to travel and scroll through some of my memories, from picturesque cityscapes, delicious dishes, nice moments with fellow players in and out of the courts. Watch the end of this crazy super tiebreak and witness the intensity and passion on the court as we battled it out with opponents from around the globe, leaving it all on the court with every shot. This win gave us the ticket to play the semifinal of this International tournament. In the next round, We ended up loosing the semifinal, but overall the whole tournament was a great experience!
None of this would have been possible without each and everyone supporting me. Thank you for being part of this incredible journey. And a Big Thanks to my doubles partner Aio from Japan for sharing this great adventure with me, ありがとう. My journey with tennis began at the tender age of 3 in the vibrant landscapes of the Philippines. Though I started playing it a bit later, at 6, here in Switzerland. In 2009, after a horse riding class in Makati, PH, my mom found me captivated by a tennis match. Little did we know, it marked the beginning of a new chapter. Yes, I dabbled in horse riding, golf, circus, basketball, piano, soccer, swimming, ski, snowboarding and more, but tennis has been my favorite. Joining a Swiss Tennis Easter Camp at the invitation of a classmate solidified my passion for the game. The joy in those early days is vivid in the photos. After a couple of years of taking classes at La Veyre, I learned about a junior tennis tournament. When I asked my coach, she explained it was intended for juniors playing on a full size court with green balls. Determined to participate, I approached my mom and sought her help in organizing classes to prepare for the event. The Tennis Director, Philippe Serex noticed my passion during the matches and extended an invitation for trials with his competition team. Following the trials, I secured my place on the team. In 2016, my dad was transferred to work in Paris, and I joined the legendary Paris Tennis Club (TCP) for group lessons. At the same time, I was under the tutelage of a former No. 50 ATP player, Gregory Carraz who gave me private lessons at the Paris Tennis Club. I honed my skills, securing victories in France and Switzerland, my record of winning 16 matches on a row ! Moving back to Switzerland, I rejoined my first club, La Veyre, with my long time coaches Philippe Serex and Samir Amine. The next chapter unfolded 3 years with my actual head coach, Michel Kratochvil, a former No. 35 ATP player at the MKTA Tennis Academy in Bern. Here I continue to play alongside talented peers, all of us accredited with a Swiss Olympic Talent Card. Yet, a change in school was necessary due to logistics, from a Swiss French School to a Swiss German School, the language change posed its challenges. Determination prevailed, and I ended the first year at the top of my class. Now, in my final high school year, I've set my sights on the U.S., opting for an American school for Grade 12, opens doors to combine academics and high-level sports, a challenging feat to achieve in Switzerland. The dream? To secure a scholarship, play in a tennis university team, and keep the tennis flame burning bright. Interviews with U.S. university coaches are underway, and as this journey unfolds, I'll be sure to keep you in the loop. Thanks for being a part of my story, and if you happen to know a college or university tennis coach in US, here's the video you can copy and share with them:
I want to express my heartfelt gratitude to all those who have been a part of this incredible journey with me and I wish you all the best until the next post! A hard work dreamer, Noe De Col As I previously shared, my soccer journey kicked off in the vibrant streets of Makati, Philippines. Returning to Switzerland, I seamlessly transitioned into my City and School Soccer Teams, savoring every moment on the field. Then, a twist of fate led us to the enchanting city of Paris, where I enrolled in a bilingual education in a French-English school. At the age of 11, I secured a coveted spot on the Paris Saint German Soccer Junior Team in the heart of France, playing in the middle-upper field under the guidance of the team's finest coach. A year later, our adventure led us back to Switzerland, and thanks to improvements in my written French, I was able to follow the program at the Swiss French Public School. I also continued my soccer pursuits with the City Football Club. Soon after, a call from the State Soccer Team beckoned, demanding full dedication and weekly match commitments. This juncture forced a tough decision, soccer at the state level or tennis tournaments? I was actually playing tennis tournaments since I got back to Switzerland twice a month. After weeks of contemplation, conversations with myself, the decision rested solely on my shoulders, and my parents made it clear that they wouldn't influence or sway my choice in any way. It was a moment for me to navigate and decide my path independently, the verdict was clear. I bid farewell to the Soccer State Team and rejoined the city's soccer squad which allowed me to keep playing soccer tournaments as well as tennis tournaments. However, an accident dealt a different hand. A dramatic injury during an intense evening soccer match left me sidelined for over six months, unable to partake in any sport. It was a challenging phase, but with the guidance of a mom's friend, a mental coach for professional soccer players, I found positivity in my free time, learning valuable lessons on resiliance. Upon my sport comeback, a pivotal decision unfloded to bid adieu to soccer and fully immerse myself in tennis. The emotions and feelings of winning or losing tennis matches far surpassed anything I had encountered before. Now, It's time to trade the soccer ball for a tennis racket, grab that yellow ball, and step onto the tennis court! Time to move to the next match! In the picturesque land of Switzerland, where the winter air carries a hint of excitement, kids typically don their first pair of skis around the age of four. So, when I returned to the Swiss snowy wonderland after my stint in the Philippines, it was only fitting that my winter escapade kicked off with skiing. As I've shared in a previous post, my dad's love for Winter Sports is contagious, and even my mom, hailing from sunny Venezuela, couldn't resist joining us on the slopes. Fast forward to my 13th year, my mom decided she'd had enough of my downhill speed antics. She opted out, claiming I was going too fast for her comfort. Jumping became my winter passion, much to her anxiety. Eventually, she found solace in leisurely walks around the snowy peaks, and we'd meet for a cozy lunch or dinner amid the Alps. While I dipped my toes into ski competitions and even snagged a few medals, the unpredictable weather during competitions left me yearning for better conditions. Skiing, for me, was more about pleasure. I'm not quite like my father, who's ready to hit the slopes even when visibility is scarce, and snowfall is relentless. It dawned on me that skiing is, indeed, just a cherished hobby, one that I savor under the right conditions and nice company. Let's now swap ski boots for soccer shoes and embrace the thrill of a new sporting adventure! Diving into the world of swimming began as a lively splash at just three years old. Picture this: a hotel's swimming pool nestled among the enchanting thousand islands of the Philippines. As we were checking in, I took a leap, leaving my dad fully dressed and the lifeguard in a sudden dive to rescue me. It's a story my dad later shared with me, as I was too young to remember the details. That little incident sparked the beginning of my aquatic journey, and my parents promptly decided it was time for swimming lessons. My first coach in Makati, Philippines was as stern as they come. At one point, I contemplated giving up the classes altogether. Mom stepped in and explained, but he insisted it wasn't a play session; it was about instilling discipline through swimming. Lucky for me, a few days later, a new coach arrived, bringing a burst of humor to the pool. Even when the drills got tough, he turned them into games. Back in Switzerland, I eagerly joined the Atlanta Swimming Team at school and signed up for local club classes. In a few months, I found myself part of the city's team club too. Despite excelling in butterfly and mastering breaststroke, the coaches saw potential for more. They suggested increasing training days, but I was already committed to football and tennis. It all changed after a competition outside our state. I proudly secured second place in the breaststroke, only to discover the winner trained four times a week, double my routine. It hit me, and I decided to step back from swimming competitions. I didn't want to compromise my love for ball sports. My mom, my ever-supportive chauffeur to countless practices and competitions, always said, 'One day, you'll figure out what you truly love.' And she was right. After a meeting with the head swimming coach, we settled on swimming once a week to keep the joy alive. Today, I still plunge into the water during summer, whether it's to unwind after intense training, have a blast with friends, or simply beat the heat. The love for water runs deep, a reminder that sometimes, the best decisions are the ones you make for yourself.
It's time to swap swimsuits for snow gear and jump into the exhilarating world of winter sports. Let's embark on this frosty escapade together!
After our stay in The Philippines, I found myself back in the picturesque landscapes of Switzerland. My parents, keen on nurturing my newfound English prowess, enrolled me in an International School. The picture above was taken the first day of my school in Switzerland but it remind me also my ever first school day back in Asia. Now, let me share a quirky tidbit from my early days in the Philippines. On the first day of school, I unintentionally set a record for the longest stay at the main door 3 hours and 30 minutes! I was a bit apprehensive, to say the least. School personnel kindly kept me company, but the catch was, we couldn't chat since I hadn't mastered Tagalog or English just yet. For the first month, I was the silent observer, taking in the vibrant life around me. It turned out to be the beginning of a unique friendship with a Japanese soccer player named Soichiro who was 2 years older than me. This record setting day at the school's main door has become a cherished anecdote my parents never fail to mention. Soichiro eventually headed back to Japan, but our bond remained strong. I had the chance to visit him in Tokyo, immersing myself in his world and creating memories with his family. It's been a while since I caught up with him. Actually, I should make a note so I reach out and see how life's treating him in the Land of the Rising Sun. Now, let's pivot back to the world of sports! At Saint George's British School in Switzerland, I became part of the Atlanta Team, a spirited bunch of kids, each affiliated with a Greek named house. Picture this: Atlanta, Beta, Minerva, and Delta. Guess who took the sports scene by storm? Yours truly! I dove headfirst into the Soccer and Swimming Team of the Atlanta House. But that's not all, I delved into the World of Tennis after a classmate invited me to join an Easter Camp. And then, there's the thrilling World of Winter Sports! Shoutout to my dad for sparking the fire of passion. Every winter week, we strapped on our skis or snowboard hit the slopes and unleashed the adrenaline with epic ski trips organized by the school. From the soccer field to the swimming pool, the tennis court, and the snowy peaks, my sports journey was just getting started! Speaking of swimming, brace yourself for a splash! Let's dive into the waters in the next Post! When I was a mere 2 year old ball of energy, my family traded the serene vibes of Montreux, Switzerland in 2008 for the vibrant rhythm of Makati, Philippines. Eager to channel my boundless enthusiasm, my mom set out to find the perfect soccer club. A friend pointed us to the Makati Football Club (MFC), founded by a former Real Madrid player, Tomas Lozano. Intrigued, my mom decided to give it a shot. As we stepped onto the pitch, Tomas Lozano himself greeted us. He kindly explained that, at my age formal training was a bit premature. But as fate would have it, while he conversed with my mom, I couldn't contain my excitement. I darted across the field, chasing after soccer balls like a pint-sized comet. From the midst of the action, I hollered, "Mom, watch me! I'm playing soccer". In that moment, Director Tomas Lozano reconsidered. He chuckled, "alright, he can join the youngest team, twice a week. No need for formalities, no paperwork hassle, and since he's barely 2, we won't collect a cent until he hits the ripe old age of 3." And just like that, my soccer escapade kicked off! Fast forward to a cosy family evening surrounded by photo albums. The laughter echoed as we flipped through pages of captured moments, each picture telling a story. My mom, sharing the memory with a fond smile, began recounting this precious soccer moment. You see, I was so young at the time that the details had been saved in the folds of family albums. Hello and Welcome to my blog! Some people have called me a dreamer, but how can I not be one when the thrill of chasing dreams feels so exciting? I proudly declare myself a "hard work dreamer" and invite you to join me on this exciting journey! My journey into the world of dreams began when I was a curious 2 year old. The evidence? You'll find it in the next posts, photos and videos capturing those early moments of passion, happiness and determination. Fast forward 15 years, and my mom vividly recalls a late-night scene in our living room. The Olympic Games' Opening Ceremony was painting the TV screen with magic and myself being curious and unable to sleep, I approached my mother and did everything I could to stay with her to watch the grand opening ceremony. As I embark on this journey of hard work and dreams, I invite you to witness the unfolding chapters. Follow me, and together, let's explore the highs, lows, and everything in between. It's not just about dreaming; it's about embracing the hard work that transforms dreams into reality. Are you ready? Let the adventure begin! |
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