Vamos Patos: Former Oregon Tennis player Pepe Izquierdo Reflects on His Experience as a Duck
By: Nima Movassaghi
Photo Above: Izquierdo (fist pumping) was a member of the Oregon men’s tennis team for 4 years.
Like any athlete that arrives on the Oregon campus, Pepe Izquierdo was shocked when he realized how
much gear Oregon student-athletes received from Nike. He moved to Eugene from Madrid, Spain to
attend the University of Oregon. Now graduated, and in pursuit of an architecture job, Greenbloods had
a chance to talk with Pepe about his time as a Duck.
GREENGLOODS: As a teenager in Spain, what made Oregon such an appealing location?
PEPE IZQUIERDO: I didn’t really have many options. The Pacific NorthWest is a great place to be, and the
University of Oregon is one of the best in the country.
GB: What was the biggest difference tennis wise between the US and Spain?
PI: In Spain we don’t work on doubles very much. Most of the focus is on singles.
GB: Did you know what to expect when you moved to Eugene?
PI: Not at all. I didn’t know anything about Eugene. It was shock; the culture here is a lot different from
back home.
GB: What was one of the first lessons you learned living on your own in a different country?
PI: That nobody is there helping you in your everyday life. I learned to depend on myself for absolutely
everything.
GB: What kind of player would you use to describe yourself?
PI: I don’t really have a style of play. I like Federer’s talent and elegance, to go along with Nadal’s
strength, especially on his forehand.
GB: Obviously when you heard about the Ducks, people would bring up Nike. What was your reaction
when you realized how much Nike meant to the University?
PI: I was amazed with all the gear they gave us. I didn’t grow up wearing very nice clothes on the tennis
court. I used to play with the T-shirts they give you at tournaments, and I would rarely by nice tennis
outfits.
GB: Your 2011 team got to hit on the court before the Nike Clash of Champions involving Roger
Federer, Rafa Nadal, Maria Sharapova, and Victoria Azarenka; what was that like? The court was
made out of Nike shoes; did it feel any different?
PI: It was a great experience. There is always pressure when you play in front of fans but this occasion
was special. They court was slower than I expected but it worked to put on a show.
GB: What was it like having a locker room in an old basketball arena that wasn’t being used anymore?
PI: It was an honor. The locker room was huge for a team of only 10 players. It has 3 separate rooms, 2
offices and a large shower space. For any men’s team, it is important to have a big locker room ;)
GB: You played on a 2011 team that lost a 4-3 heartbreaker to Washington. Your old team plays UW
on Friday night. If you have to give them a piece of advice based off of your experience of coming up
short, what would the advice be?
PI: I would tell them to believe in themselves and carry the O in their chests. If they fight like Ducks do,
they will get the W.
GB: What’s your favorite memory in the Student Tennis Center? When did it get the loudest?
PI: Against Washington my senior year I think it was the loudest. My best experience was when we beat
Arizona; it was our first win against a PAC 12 team.
GB: Now that you’ve graduated, what are your future plans?
PI: I am currently looking for an architecture job while working at a tennis club as an Associate Tennis
Pro.
GB: If you could come back and experience one point that you’ve already played again, which point
would it be?
PI: The match point against UTAH playing doubles with Alex Rovello. It was my last win of my career at
home before I graduated.
One of Pepe’s memorable wins was his last one, and that comes without surprise. The emotion and
enthusiasm Izquierdo showed on the tennis court is what made him a special person. They say home is
where the heart is; and just like many student-athletes at Oregon, his time in Eugene, will forever rest in
his heart.
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