Alabama Women’s Tennis Q&A: Danielle Spielmann
3/21/2017 3:47:00 PM | Women's Tennis
RollTide.com will be posting Q&A's of each member on this year's Alabama women's tennis team so fans can get to know the members of our Crimson Tide family. The sixth Q&A is with Danielle Spielmann, an experienced senior from Riehen, Switzerland. Spielmann has 13 total doubles victories including seven since the start of the spring season, and she has tallied 15 total singles wins including six since the start of the dual match season.
Q: What was your first visit to campus like?
A: Overwhelming, unexpected, "love at first sight". It was my college visit in February 2013. Alabama did not include any of the factors I was looking for, such as small, close to a big city, and on the east coast. But I am very glad that I decided to take a visit over all.
Q: What surprised you most about Alabama?
A: The beautiful campus and how open, friendly, and loving the people are in the South. Our supporters took me in as a daughter from abroad, which made it much easier to adjust to this big cultural change far away from home.
Q: What is your favorite thing about your hometown?
A: The landscape. My house is located on a hill and there are several other big hills around with lots of forest, fields, and openness. We are not isolated from the city; it takes 20min to get downtown by car. But I have the luxury to step outside my house and embrace the nature or go for a run in the "green".
Q: What is your favorite restaurant in Tuscaloosa?
A: For breakfast definitely Heritage House. You will see me there all the time, which is not in favor of my bank account. For dinner it is Five; their uptown chicken is amazing.
Q: What is your favorite tennis memory?
A: That will be our win against Georgia and Florida my freshman year. We won the SEC that year and being able to go on the football field for our recognition is on the list of my favorite memories as well. I still get the chills when I think about it now.
Q: Who inspired you most in tennis?
A: Probably my mental coach, Will Lenzer. He came out to watch the team and I compete at National Indoors in Virginia my freshman year. He has impacted my tennis life tremendously, but has also helped me become the person I am today off the court.
Q: When did playing tennis in college become a goal for you?
A: I actually didn't even know that college tennis existed until I came to the states in January 2012. I didn't learn more about it until I was a senior in high school a couple of months later.
Q: What song pumps you up to play?
A: Fighter by Gym Class Heroes and Hall of Fame by the Script.
Q: What is your favorite movie made before you were born?
A: Dirty Dancing.
Q: What is your favorite movie?
A: Any movie from Nicholas Sparks, he is my absolute favorite author.
Q: What is your dream job?
A: Head of Marketing at FIFA organization.
Q: If you could live in a book, which book would you live in?
A: Harry Potter. I would love to learn all the special magic powers and secrets.
Q: What is your favorite hobby outside of tennis?
A: Reading and crafting, spending time with friends and family, and doing other sports.
Q: If you could meet any person in the world who would it be?
A: Rafael Nadal!
Q: If you were playing a pro circuit what grand slam would you want to win most?
A: Wimbledon, because it is the origin of tennis.
Q: What do you like to hear from fans when they are cheering for you?
A: I am not picky at all, any type of cheers are appreciated. I love it when fans get super in to it and address me personally (by my name) when they cheer.
Q: What are some goals you look to achieve this spring season?
A: Build a strong relationship with the team on and off the court and lead the team in an impactful way to where we want to go. My ultimate goal is to finish strong my senior season.
Q: If you weren't playing tennis what sport would you play?
A: Either ice skating, horse riding, or cross country running.
Q: Who would win an arm wrestling competition on the team?
A: I would say either Juliana or Maddie.
Q: What is your favorite holiday?
A: Thanksgiving, because I absolute love the tradition behind it. I wish I could bring it back to Switzerland and implement it in my home country.
Q: If you could give one message to your fans what would it be?
A: "Never give up, even if we fail. Just try again, fail again, and fail better." We need all your support for the rest of the season. It is never too late to turn things around, but we need all of you cheering us on at our home matches.
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Players Mentioned
