Take one look at San Diego State men’s tennis player Ryan Redondoand athlete is not the first thought that pops into your head.
At 5-foot-9-inches, Redondo is hardly an intimidating presence inyour face or on the court, and it is easy to see why he admireddiminutive American tennis star Michael Chang growing up.
But like his idol, Redondo is a damn good tennis player.
Redondo began his career at the University of Pepperdine, but theMalibu lifestyle and disagreements with the coaching staff did notagree with him. After a year of turmoil, it was time for a change.
Like the Prodigal Son, he chose to return home.
“I had heard that John Nelson and Gene Carswell were really goodcoaches and that the team was good,” Redondo said about choosingSDSU. “I could have gone to several other schools, but I knew thatgoing home was the best bet.”
What a homecoming it has been.
Midway through the first full season at Montezuma Mesa, he hasexceeded the learning curve.
Redondo has a team-high 10 wins and has won six straight,including victories against Virginia Commonwealth’s Mats Norin andNo. 71 Michael Calikins of Illinois in the Blue Gray CollegiateClassic in Mobile, Ala.
Redondo played so well in Mobile that he was recently namedMountain West Conference Player of the Week. But as impressive as hissingles play has been, it has been his doubles play that has garnerednational attention.
Teaming alongside Oliver Maiberger, the duo is the No. 3-rankedtandem in the nation as well as tennis’ “Odd Couple.”
Maiberger, who stands over six feet tall, is a stark physicalcontrast to Redondo. Sporting pre-Brooke Shields, Agassi-like hairand a heavy accent, Maiberger is Teller to Redondo’s Penn.
Smoke and mirrors aside, many more differences persist.
While Redondo is a So-Cal native through and through, Maibergerhails from across the Atlantic and over the Alps. A product ofLorsch, Germany, Maiberger is SDSU’s most accomplished singles playerand team leader. After several impressive wins last season, Maibergerwas ranked No. 11 in preseason.
Even strictly from a tennis perspective, the duo are Yin and Yang.
“Oliver is more of a back-court player with good passing shots,”Redondo said. “I prefer to come to the net and put the pressure on myopponent.”
Although a contrast in styles as well as substance, they cometogether like peanut butter and jelly.
One not nearly as good without the other.
Together, they are the best doubles team to ever don the Red andBlack.
Earlier in the fall season, the duo made history when it won theNational Indoor Championship. It was the first Grand Slam title forthe program and it marked only the second time in school history thatan Aztec team has won a national title.
“It felt great to win the championship for our school and ourcoach,” Redondo said.
It was obviously a big accomplishment because people took notice.The San Diego Hall of Champions named Maiberger and Redondo AmateurAthlete Stars of the Month for November.
“The Stars of the Month have been handed down since 1946,” Hallcurator Glenn Turgeon said. “(They) are based on performance duringthe month, and Maiberger and Redondo were chosen because they werethe first tennis players from SDSU to capture a collegiate Grand SlamTitle.”
But be it in singles or doubles play, the way Redondo isprogressing he may someday be able to play for pay.
“I always wanted to become a professional tennis player,” he said.”That’s a goal I strive for every day.”
