SE: Decker Excited to Face New Challenges, Start K-State Career at ITA Women’s All-American Championships
Sep 25, 2017 | Tennis, Sports Extra
K-State's Margot Decker finds excitement in exploring the unknown, not fear.
The native of France left her home at age 12 to train for a career in tennis. Decker reached a world ranking of No. 822 by the Women's Tennis Association, but suffered a wrist injury that required surgery, forced her to miss a year of action and also rethink her future.
"I didn't know if I wanted to come back or not and I had lot of time to think about it when I was injured. I knew that I didn't want to go on tour anymore because it's a tough life," said Decker, one of 10 freshmen across the nation to be invited to the prestigious Riviera Women's All-American Tennis Championships that begin on Saturday.
Decker's wrist injury eventually led her to ponder the possibility of playing collegiately in the United States, where she could acquire a respectable education while also facing top-notch competition on the court.
"The problem in Europe is you can't play a good level of tennis and go to school. It's not possible," she said. "Here was the best solution for me."
Part of K-State's 2017 recruiting class that was ranked 14th nationally by TennisRecruiting.net, Decker faces a season full of new unknowns.
The court surfaces are different, as are some of the rules. She'll also play in a team format and against a style she's fairly unfamiliar with. Fortunately, she's thrilled to experience it all, especially to start her collegiate career at a prestigious tournament like the ITA Women's All-American Championships in Pacific Palisades, California.
"I am excited because I don't know the level of the girls, so I'm excited to see how they play here," she said. "It will be good experience because I don't know how they play here and these courts are different. I want to see how it works."
Decker enters the tournament, won last year by Ohio State's three-time All-American Francesca Di Lorenzo, as a pre-qualifying singles participant. She must win three rounds to advance to the qualifying section and another three rounds to make it to the main draw, where the final 32 players will battle for the title.
"It's good because there are only the best players," said Decker, whose previous experience includes reaching the semifinal round for ages 18 and under at the French Open Juniors Championship. "I just want to go there, play my best and we'll see what happens. No pressure."
Ultimately, Decker wants to use the tournament to prepare for her first season at K-State. Already, the 5-foot-5 freshman said she's enjoyed being in a team atmosphere and the various support provided by K-State.
"Tennis is individual, so having a team around, I like it, and there are a lot of people who work to help us and they're doing a great job," she said. "It's easier to push ourselves because we are all on the same team. We're cheering for each other so it's easy. When you're alone, it's hard. You need to have the motivation every day. Here, it's easier."
As for what she expects the team to accomplish this season, Decker, still new to everything and everyone, is not sure how to gauge realistic goals. But this excites her.
"I want to go as far as the team can," she said. "No limits."
K-State continues its fall schedule at the Wake Forest Invite from October 6-8, followed by the ITA Regionals in Lawrence from October 19-22.
The native of France left her home at age 12 to train for a career in tennis. Decker reached a world ranking of No. 822 by the Women's Tennis Association, but suffered a wrist injury that required surgery, forced her to miss a year of action and also rethink her future.
"I didn't know if I wanted to come back or not and I had lot of time to think about it when I was injured. I knew that I didn't want to go on tour anymore because it's a tough life," said Decker, one of 10 freshmen across the nation to be invited to the prestigious Riviera Women's All-American Tennis Championships that begin on Saturday.
Decker's wrist injury eventually led her to ponder the possibility of playing collegiately in the United States, where she could acquire a respectable education while also facing top-notch competition on the court.
"The problem in Europe is you can't play a good level of tennis and go to school. It's not possible," she said. "Here was the best solution for me."
Part of K-State's 2017 recruiting class that was ranked 14th nationally by TennisRecruiting.net, Decker faces a season full of new unknowns.
The court surfaces are different, as are some of the rules. She'll also play in a team format and against a style she's fairly unfamiliar with. Fortunately, she's thrilled to experience it all, especially to start her collegiate career at a prestigious tournament like the ITA Women's All-American Championships in Pacific Palisades, California.
"I am excited because I don't know the level of the girls, so I'm excited to see how they play here," she said. "It will be good experience because I don't know how they play here and these courts are different. I want to see how it works."
Decker enters the tournament, won last year by Ohio State's three-time All-American Francesca Di Lorenzo, as a pre-qualifying singles participant. She must win three rounds to advance to the qualifying section and another three rounds to make it to the main draw, where the final 32 players will battle for the title.
"It's good because there are only the best players," said Decker, whose previous experience includes reaching the semifinal round for ages 18 and under at the French Open Juniors Championship. "I just want to go there, play my best and we'll see what happens. No pressure."
Ultimately, Decker wants to use the tournament to prepare for her first season at K-State. Already, the 5-foot-5 freshman said she's enjoyed being in a team atmosphere and the various support provided by K-State.
"Tennis is individual, so having a team around, I like it, and there are a lot of people who work to help us and they're doing a great job," she said. "It's easier to push ourselves because we are all on the same team. We're cheering for each other so it's easy. When you're alone, it's hard. You need to have the motivation every day. Here, it's easier."
As for what she expects the team to accomplish this season, Decker, still new to everything and everyone, is not sure how to gauge realistic goals. But this excites her.
"I want to go as far as the team can," she said. "No limits."
K-State continues its fall schedule at the Wake Forest Invite from October 6-8, followed by the ITA Regionals in Lawrence from October 19-22.
Players Mentioned
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