SE: Q&A with Karine-Marion Job of K-State Tennis
Mar 20, 2020 | Tennis, Sports Extra
K-State Tennis finished the shortened season at 8-4. The Cats finished the year with wins over SMU and Nebraska.
A big part of K-State's success was the play of Karine-Marion Job. Job, a native of Lyon, France, posted an individual record of 6-1. That 6-1 mark includes an exciting win that secured the 4-3 K-State victory over Nebraska. Job also posted a 5-1 doubles record with teammate Maria Linares.
Job sat down with K-State Sports Extra to talk tennis, who she most admires, and a comparison of Lyon and Manhattan.
SE: Take me back to the match against Nebraska. What goes through your mind when you know a match is coming down to your court?
KJ: I didn't play well at the beginning of the match. I couldn't really move or do anything I wanted to do. I couldn't play my game. Coach just said that the team needed me. I needed to make a change, so I tried different stuff to move more and be more positive. I started to play better, and my opponent was under more pressure since I was able to be more aggressive in my game. In the third set, I wasn't worried about being the one to close the match. I was just focused on my game and not on the external factors, so that helped me a lot. I played really good in the third set.
SE: Individually, you won four in a row to finish the year, and the team played really well with you in the rotation. What were the keys for you to get on the win streak?
KJ: My coaches have been working with me a lot on footwork. It's a big thing in my game. If I'm able to move well, I'll be able to play my game fully. I've also worked on the mental side of it. I'm working on the thought process during my matches and being more positive, because that's something that really changes my game.
SE: What were your goals entering year two at K-State?
KJ: My goals have changed a lot after being here for a year. Obviously, I wanted to help the team when I arrived here. In reality, I was maybe thinking more about myself. I think that is sometimes natural, since tennis is an individual sport. With time and experience, I'm seeing more of a big picture and the fact that I really help the team and not be as focused on myself.
SE: You've worked your way up to the No. 4 spot in the rotation. How much attention do you pay to where you are in the team rotation?
KJ: As long as I'm playing, I'm happy.
SE: You were 5-1 in doubles play with Maria Linares. What makes that pairing work so well?
KJ: Outside the court, we are really good friends. That helps a lot in terms of chemistry on the court. The fact that our games really work well together helps a lot, too. It's all about chemistry and matching games. We've been playing really well, and I enjoy playing with Maria.
SE: Where have you noticed the biggest change from year one to year two, both on and off the court?
KJ: I've realized how big of an opportunity all of this is. I feel wiser and am grateful for everything that is happening. I'm just thinking about enjoying every moment. That helps me a lot, too. If you're thinking about the chances and opportunities you have, you're less likely to think about the pressure. I'm just thinking about how amazing this opportunity is.
SE: If somebody asks you to describe your tennis game, how would you describe it?
KJ: I would say that I'm a puncher. I'm aggressive and put pressure on my opponent.
SE: What excites you about playing in such a great tennis league like the Big 12?
KJ: All the teams are good teams, so it's always exciting. You have to prove yourself each match and show what you're capable of doing as a team.
SE: You come from the third-largest city in France to the Little Apple. What drew you to K-State and the tennis program here?
KJ: I only visited here. I didn't visit any other schools. I came with my dad, and the first thing that both of us liked was the atmosphere. It's a small city, but the people here are really nice, kind and welcoming. It's important to feel comfortable outside the court.
SE: How has the experience here lived up to your expectations?
KJ: My expectations were pretty high, and it's been one of the best experiences of my life.
SE: Is there a specific tennis player that you've really followed and/or modeled your game after?
KJ: I really like Novak Djokovic. He's my guy (laughs). I don't think our games are similar at all, because he's more of a defensive player. I just like him as a person. Even off the court, he's very inspiring to me.
SE: Who are some other people who have been the most influential in your life and tennis career?
KJ: My sisters are really inspiring to me. I have two big sisters, and they are people I've looked up to since I was a little kid. They've been great examples for me to follow, and we're really close.
SE: When did you start playing tennis, and what initially got you interested in the sport?
KJ: My dad used to play tennis when he was younger. He had to stop due to a knee injury. He tried to get my two sisters to play. They didn't like it, so he didn't try with me (laughs). I just chose the sport on my own and really liked it. I never even tried any other sport.
SE: What's your major, and do you have an idea of what you'd like to do after you're playing days?
KJ: I'm majoring in marketing. It's something I'm really interested in. I might be interested in sports and entertainment, but I'm not sure yet.
SE: What has been your most exciting K-State moment so far?
KJ: I think anytime we've been able to close a really exciting match, especially the 4-3 types of matches. Those moments are incredible.
SE: How would you compare Lyon to Manhattan?
KJ: It's so different (laughs). Lyon is a big city. The food is really different. We eat pretty good in France. The architecture is really different, too. The people are totally different. People are so friendly and talkative here. In France, people tend to be pretty quiet.
A big part of K-State's success was the play of Karine-Marion Job. Job, a native of Lyon, France, posted an individual record of 6-1. That 6-1 mark includes an exciting win that secured the 4-3 K-State victory over Nebraska. Job also posted a 5-1 doubles record with teammate Maria Linares.
Job sat down with K-State Sports Extra to talk tennis, who she most admires, and a comparison of Lyon and Manhattan.
SE: Take me back to the match against Nebraska. What goes through your mind when you know a match is coming down to your court?
KJ: I didn't play well at the beginning of the match. I couldn't really move or do anything I wanted to do. I couldn't play my game. Coach just said that the team needed me. I needed to make a change, so I tried different stuff to move more and be more positive. I started to play better, and my opponent was under more pressure since I was able to be more aggressive in my game. In the third set, I wasn't worried about being the one to close the match. I was just focused on my game and not on the external factors, so that helped me a lot. I played really good in the third set.
SE: Individually, you won four in a row to finish the year, and the team played really well with you in the rotation. What were the keys for you to get on the win streak?
KJ: My coaches have been working with me a lot on footwork. It's a big thing in my game. If I'm able to move well, I'll be able to play my game fully. I've also worked on the mental side of it. I'm working on the thought process during my matches and being more positive, because that's something that really changes my game.
SE: What were your goals entering year two at K-State?
KJ: My goals have changed a lot after being here for a year. Obviously, I wanted to help the team when I arrived here. In reality, I was maybe thinking more about myself. I think that is sometimes natural, since tennis is an individual sport. With time and experience, I'm seeing more of a big picture and the fact that I really help the team and not be as focused on myself.
SE: You've worked your way up to the No. 4 spot in the rotation. How much attention do you pay to where you are in the team rotation?
KJ: As long as I'm playing, I'm happy.
SE: You were 5-1 in doubles play with Maria Linares. What makes that pairing work so well?
KJ: Outside the court, we are really good friends. That helps a lot in terms of chemistry on the court. The fact that our games really work well together helps a lot, too. It's all about chemistry and matching games. We've been playing really well, and I enjoy playing with Maria.
SE: Where have you noticed the biggest change from year one to year two, both on and off the court?
KJ: I've realized how big of an opportunity all of this is. I feel wiser and am grateful for everything that is happening. I'm just thinking about enjoying every moment. That helps me a lot, too. If you're thinking about the chances and opportunities you have, you're less likely to think about the pressure. I'm just thinking about how amazing this opportunity is.
SE: If somebody asks you to describe your tennis game, how would you describe it?
KJ: I would say that I'm a puncher. I'm aggressive and put pressure on my opponent.
SE: What excites you about playing in such a great tennis league like the Big 12?
KJ: All the teams are good teams, so it's always exciting. You have to prove yourself each match and show what you're capable of doing as a team.
SE: You come from the third-largest city in France to the Little Apple. What drew you to K-State and the tennis program here?
KJ: I only visited here. I didn't visit any other schools. I came with my dad, and the first thing that both of us liked was the atmosphere. It's a small city, but the people here are really nice, kind and welcoming. It's important to feel comfortable outside the court.
SE: How has the experience here lived up to your expectations?
KJ: My expectations were pretty high, and it's been one of the best experiences of my life.
SE: Is there a specific tennis player that you've really followed and/or modeled your game after?
KJ: I really like Novak Djokovic. He's my guy (laughs). I don't think our games are similar at all, because he's more of a defensive player. I just like him as a person. Even off the court, he's very inspiring to me.
SE: Who are some other people who have been the most influential in your life and tennis career?
KJ: My sisters are really inspiring to me. I have two big sisters, and they are people I've looked up to since I was a little kid. They've been great examples for me to follow, and we're really close.
SE: When did you start playing tennis, and what initially got you interested in the sport?
KJ: My dad used to play tennis when he was younger. He had to stop due to a knee injury. He tried to get my two sisters to play. They didn't like it, so he didn't try with me (laughs). I just chose the sport on my own and really liked it. I never even tried any other sport.
SE: What's your major, and do you have an idea of what you'd like to do after you're playing days?
KJ: I'm majoring in marketing. It's something I'm really interested in. I might be interested in sports and entertainment, but I'm not sure yet.
SE: What has been your most exciting K-State moment so far?
KJ: I think anytime we've been able to close a really exciting match, especially the 4-3 types of matches. Those moments are incredible.
SE: How would you compare Lyon to Manhattan?
KJ: It's so different (laughs). Lyon is a big city. The food is really different. We eat pretty good in France. The architecture is really different, too. The people are totally different. People are so friendly and talkative here. In France, people tend to be pretty quiet.
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