Tennis goes into hibernation

The men's tennis team takes pride in competing well in every match, but are eagerly looking forward to making a loud statement in the spring season. The Hoosiers fall season comes to an end after the Big Ten Singles Championships in Minneapolis Nov. 16. The spring season does not begin until Jan. 18 of next year when the Hoosiers take on Murray State at home. \n"The fall season is more about getting in shape, playing a few tournaments and preparing but the spring season is much more competitive with many more matches," coach Ken Hydinger said.\nThe Hoosiers have a special reason to have optimism when the spring season starts. For the fall season Petr Novotny, a Czech exchange student was ineligible because of a complication of transferring his grades from his hometown of Prahan, Czech Republic.\nWhen the Hoosiers team returns from winter break Novotny regains full eligibility and he is eagerly anticipating his return to the court. \n"I am looking forward to playing in the tournaments with my teammates and really testing my skills against other players besides my own teammates," Novotny said. \nNovotny believes he can really help the team come January and likes the aspect of the team game that is emphasized more in America.\n"I like playing on a team better, it is a lot more fun, and there is an added responsibility to play better in order to help the team win," Novotny said. "In (the Czech Republic) there were no teams therefore the emphasis was much more on the individual". \nAs well as an emphasis on the team aspect of tennis there are also other differences in American tennis that Novotny has been forced to adjust to. \n"I am used to playing on clay, but here in America everything is played on hard court making the game much more aggressive," Novotny said. \nNovotny believes the level of competition in America is at a much higher level.\n"College tennis is a lot better and has more skilled players than what I am used to in the Czech Republic, and this higher level of competition makes me a better player," he said.\nAlthough adapting to the American style of tennis can sometimes be difficult Hydinger believes that Novotny has done a great job and will continue to improve. The adjustment for Novotny has been made easier for him with the help of his teammate and fellow Czech Republic transfer student, Jakub Praibis. Jakub is eligible to play this year and has played in matches this year for the Hoosiers. Novotny said he is helped a lot by Praibis and believes him to be one of the best players on the team. \nBeing one of only two seniors on the team Novotny is looked up to by the younger players on the team. \n"Petr works really hard in practice and his actions rub off on some of the younger players," freshman John Stone said. "His actions speak louder than his words and this helps the team". \nBeing his first year in America, Stone is very impressed with the way Novotny has handled himself and believes he as shown good senior leadership. "He is a hard worker, he does a lot of good things for the team, and is very mature," Stone said.\nNovotny should provide a big boost for the team who has struggled as of late but is looking to finish the season strong and have a good spring. Hydinger believes that Novotny will help the team immensely. \n"He is a quality player in both singles and doubles, a good team player," Hydinger said. "I believe he will provide the team with a big boost come spring time"