TicketsCINCINNATI - Redshirt sophomore Sofia Bruno came to Cincinnati all the way from Brolo, Sicily in Italy in 2019 where she was a two-time U16 regional champion. This season, she is 6-7 in singles play and 1-4 in doubles action. We sat down with the Sofia to get to know more about why she chose to come to Cincinnati and what it is that she loves about the sport of tennis.
What drew you to wanting to play tennis?
"I started when I was eight, my dad played soccer and he just saw something in me. I don't know, I am not sure why he chose tennis! He was like 'this girl is just so sporty' and wanted me to play something. And so when I was eight I started playing and I was pretty good, so I kept playing. When I was 11 I moved to another city because my hometown was really small, so I went to a tennis academy and I stayed there until I was 16. Then I moved back home before coming here to Cincinnati."
What is it about the sport of tennis that you really love?
"I like its competitive side. I think I like that you are on the court alone, which is weird for some people and why they love team sports. I also like that mentally you put your whole self onto the court and it's up to you how the game is going to go. You have to be really strong to play tennis, mentally. And I think that's why I really like it and enjoy it."
Obviously, you are not from here being from Italy. Tell me about the process of you deciding to move to Cincinnati and come play here in the United States?
"I chose to come to Cincinnati because there was a period of time I knew I wanted to continue to play tennis and in the meantime also study, which is hard to do in Italy. You have to just focus on one part, we don't have big colleges. So I was like, I want to keep playing and keep doing good and also study. And that helped lead me to Cincinnati. I visited in April before coming in July, so a short time. But I was really impressed with the school, because like I said we don't have these big universities, and so I was impressed and really liked it and they wanted me here and so I decided to come. I was also really impressed with the business program and building here on campus since I wanted to focus on that."
Moving to the United States from a different country can sometime be difficult. What's one thing you've really enjoyed since coming here and also what's one of the hardest things?
"I think the hardest thing is being away from home, from my parents and family who are still there. But I like that they wanted to me come here and get a better education. I think during COVID-19, it was really hard, to stay here, because I decided to stay here and study. It was hard to get back home. Something I really enjoy; I will say the atmosphere here. The athletic department and having the support behind you. Even the hard moments, Coach always called me and always made sure I was okay. It is like a family here, and I really love it."
How has it helped you having other international teammates who have gone through the same process as you, to have them there with you?
"I agree, that helped a lot because I feel like it's really hard to see people who can just go home since it's close for them. And Coach has been a great support and the girls who are international. But I have also felt a lot of support from people who are from here, the U.S., they have been like family for me. They always call me to make sure I was okay even though they are from here and home at the time because of COVID-19. It helped knowing they were here for me."
What's been one of your favorite memories so far?
"Oh, there's a lot! I think this year it's been so great. But I think, probably Indiana when we won because I saw Maria winning that match. I knew she really wanted to do that, she was talking about it all night [the night before] – she's my roommate when we travel. She was talking about wanting a Power 5 win so I was really happy for her to win a match that, in the past would have been really hard. It's been great, it's been fun."
How would you describe yourself?
"I think I am really caring, I care a lot about my teammates. I think, maybe I can be funny, crazy. I don't know! I think I am also an introvert, but when I get to know someone, I become more open. Just need to know me a little bit."
What are you studying here at Cincinnati and what degree/career are you looking to get into?
"I am majoring in finance, and I currently have an internship with UBS Financial Services, which is a bank. It's been great, that's why I am always busy! So that is wealth management, so I help them with retirement plans and that kind of stuff. And I hope I can stay in that."
How would you describe Coach Toth?
"He's as caring as me, probably even more! I really like that he cares a lot about us, not just in the tennis aspect. He has really helped me to grow a lot as a person. And that's what's great about him."
What do you hope to accomplish as a Bearcat?
"As a Bearcat, I hope we can keep winning as much as we are! And I hope that we just keep being this group and team, keep being a family. Because there is always new members coming in and I hope we can keep this great atmosphere. And tennis, keep winning and have fun. That's important as a team, even if you lose. I think it's how you react to that and I think having fun is the best thing you can do."
UP NEXT
The Bearcats travel to Memphis, Tenn. for two American Athletic Conference matchups. UC will face-off against Memphis on Fri., April 8 at 2 p.m. ET and Tulane on Sat., April 9 at 11 a.m. ET.
FOLLOW THE BEARCATS
For all the latest information on Cincinnati tennis, please visit GoBEARCATS.com. For up-to-the-minute updates, follow the team (@GoBearcatsWTEN) and Head Coach Eric Toth (@EricToth1) on Twitter. You can also find the Bearcats on Instagram and Facebook.
What drew you to wanting to play tennis?
"I started when I was eight, my dad played soccer and he just saw something in me. I don't know, I am not sure why he chose tennis! He was like 'this girl is just so sporty' and wanted me to play something. And so when I was eight I started playing and I was pretty good, so I kept playing. When I was 11 I moved to another city because my hometown was really small, so I went to a tennis academy and I stayed there until I was 16. Then I moved back home before coming here to Cincinnati."
What is it about the sport of tennis that you really love?
"I like its competitive side. I think I like that you are on the court alone, which is weird for some people and why they love team sports. I also like that mentally you put your whole self onto the court and it's up to you how the game is going to go. You have to be really strong to play tennis, mentally. And I think that's why I really like it and enjoy it."
Obviously, you are not from here being from Italy. Tell me about the process of you deciding to move to Cincinnati and come play here in the United States?
"I chose to come to Cincinnati because there was a period of time I knew I wanted to continue to play tennis and in the meantime also study, which is hard to do in Italy. You have to just focus on one part, we don't have big colleges. So I was like, I want to keep playing and keep doing good and also study. And that helped lead me to Cincinnati. I visited in April before coming in July, so a short time. But I was really impressed with the school, because like I said we don't have these big universities, and so I was impressed and really liked it and they wanted me here and so I decided to come. I was also really impressed with the business program and building here on campus since I wanted to focus on that."
Moving to the United States from a different country can sometime be difficult. What's one thing you've really enjoyed since coming here and also what's one of the hardest things?
"I think the hardest thing is being away from home, from my parents and family who are still there. But I like that they wanted to me come here and get a better education. I think during COVID-19, it was really hard, to stay here, because I decided to stay here and study. It was hard to get back home. Something I really enjoy; I will say the atmosphere here. The athletic department and having the support behind you. Even the hard moments, Coach always called me and always made sure I was okay. It is like a family here, and I really love it."
How has it helped you having other international teammates who have gone through the same process as you, to have them there with you?
"I agree, that helped a lot because I feel like it's really hard to see people who can just go home since it's close for them. And Coach has been a great support and the girls who are international. But I have also felt a lot of support from people who are from here, the U.S., they have been like family for me. They always call me to make sure I was okay even though they are from here and home at the time because of COVID-19. It helped knowing they were here for me."
What's been one of your favorite memories so far?
"Oh, there's a lot! I think this year it's been so great. But I think, probably Indiana when we won because I saw Maria winning that match. I knew she really wanted to do that, she was talking about it all night [the night before] – she's my roommate when we travel. She was talking about wanting a Power 5 win so I was really happy for her to win a match that, in the past would have been really hard. It's been great, it's been fun."
How would you describe yourself?
"I think I am really caring, I care a lot about my teammates. I think, maybe I can be funny, crazy. I don't know! I think I am also an introvert, but when I get to know someone, I become more open. Just need to know me a little bit."
What are you studying here at Cincinnati and what degree/career are you looking to get into?
"I am majoring in finance, and I currently have an internship with UBS Financial Services, which is a bank. It's been great, that's why I am always busy! So that is wealth management, so I help them with retirement plans and that kind of stuff. And I hope I can stay in that."
How would you describe Coach Toth?
"He's as caring as me, probably even more! I really like that he cares a lot about us, not just in the tennis aspect. He has really helped me to grow a lot as a person. And that's what's great about him."
What do you hope to accomplish as a Bearcat?
"As a Bearcat, I hope we can keep winning as much as we are! And I hope that we just keep being this group and team, keep being a family. Because there is always new members coming in and I hope we can keep this great atmosphere. And tennis, keep winning and have fun. That's important as a team, even if you lose. I think it's how you react to that and I think having fun is the best thing you can do."
UP NEXT
The Bearcats travel to Memphis, Tenn. for two American Athletic Conference matchups. UC will face-off against Memphis on Fri., April 8 at 2 p.m. ET and Tulane on Sat., April 9 at 11 a.m. ET.
FOLLOW THE BEARCATS
For all the latest information on Cincinnati tennis, please visit GoBEARCATS.com. For up-to-the-minute updates, follow the team (@GoBearcatsWTEN) and Head Coach Eric Toth (@EricToth1) on Twitter. You can also find the Bearcats on Instagram and Facebook.