French-born Florent Diep has lived in the United States for less than a year, but he has flourished at Florida.
Diep has solidified himself as a key player for the Gators and will look to build on that start this weekend at the USTA/ITA National Indoor Intercollegiate Championships, one of the collegiate Grand Slam tournaments.
Life in the U.S. has not been easy for Diep.
He faced many challenges after arriving at UF in January, including a new school and a new language.
“I didn’t speak English,” Diep said. “With classes and everything, it was really, really tough.”
Before transferring to Florida, Diep played in professional tournaments and was rated as high as No. 673 in the world. But Diep’s struggles adjusting to life in the U.S. translated directly to his play on the court.
“My first semester was really odd,” Diep said. “I didn’t play good.”
When first-year coach Bryan Shelton arrived in June, he noticed obstacles Diep was trying to overcome.
“His transition here his first semester was difficult,” Shelton said. “Obviously, the language was something he had to develop over time. His English wasn’t great when he arrived, and he had to adjust to college life in the United States, being a French guy.”
During his second semester, Diep got more comfortable, and the results have shown in his play. Diep won the USTA/ITA Southeast Regionals two weeks ago.
“He has now made that adjustment, so he is more comfortable when he comes out on the court,” Shelton said. “He is more confident in what he can do out there and has a better understanding of his game.”
Diep is one of Florida’s key players in both singles and doubles. After playing in both collegiate and professional tournaments this fall, Diep has assumed a leadership role for the Gators. Shelton sees Diep continuing his tennis career beyond his stint in Gainesville.
“Flo not only wants to play well for the Gators,” Shelton said. “He wants to continue to develop as a player so he can go on to play professionally when his career is done here.”
But for now, Diep is focused on the task at hand, which is competing in New York.
Diep will face Baylor’s Julian Lenz in the first round on Thursday afternoon.
“I’m really excited to be able to play this tournament and try to do my best to represent the Gators the best that I can,” Diep said.
