Resilience in Every Rally
By Sven Moser
What’s your dream?
To be a professional athlete? A writer? A teacher?
Whatever it is, I bet it involves taking a risk — and hoping someone gives you a real shot.
For me, the dream was always tennis.
I grew up in Switzerland, and like a lot of young athletes, I imagined myself making it professionally. Traveling the world. Playing the game I loved.
But in Europe, the path is narrow.
You either go all-in on tennis, or you pursue education. It’s incredibly difficult — almost impossible — to do both.
So at 18, I stood at a crossroads. I was playing some of my best tennis, but I didn’t want to let go of school. I knew that if I stayed in Switzerland, I’d be forced to choose between the court and the classroom.
That’s when the idea of college tennis in the United States came into focus.
It was a way to chase both passions: compete at a high level, and earn a degree along the way.
There was just one problem.
I’d only been to the U.S. once, and that was only for a few days.
Was I ready to move there for several years?
A New Path
When I committed to DePaul, I didn’t fully understand what I was getting into.
A new country. A new language. A completely different style of tennis. And most of all, a new version of myself I’d have to uncover.
But the moment I arrived in Chicago, I felt welcomed.
Coach Brothers and the team embraced me from day one. That was huge. Being an international student can be isolating at first, but DePaul never made me feel like an outsider. I wasn’t just a player coming from Europe — I was part of something bigger.
Still, my tennis journey didn’t take off right away.
My first season? I barely played.
Three matches. That’s all I saw in terms of court time.
That was a gut check.
Back home, I had always been one of the top players in my region. I was used to competing. To contributing. And suddenly, I was sitting on the bench, wondering what I needed to prove — and to whom.
Proving Myself
There were nights I questioned everything.
Did I make the wrong choice?
Was I really good enough to be here?
But I never let those doubts define me. I kept showing up. I kept putting in the work. I stayed engaged with the team — even when I wasn’t the one on the court.
And that mindset changed everything.
By my second season, I broke into the lineup.
I wasn’t just getting reps — I was earning results. My game sharpened. My confidence started coming back.
Then came year three.
That season, my doubles partner and I couldn’t miss. We rattled off nine straight wins and became one of the most consistent duos in our conference. Personally, I posted one of the best singles records on the team.
But more important than the stats?
We won the BIG EAST title for the second time in three years.
The pride I felt in that moment wasn’t just about the trophy. It was about how far I’d come. From someone barely hanging onto a spot… to someone wearing the captain’s armband.
I wasn’t just part of the program anymore. I was helping lead it.
A new country. A new language. A completely different style of tennis. And most of all, a new version of myself I’d have to uncover. But the moment I arrived in Chicago, I felt welcomed. Coach Brothers and the team embraced me from day one. That was huge. Being an international student can be isolating at first, but DePaul never made me feel like an outsider. I wasn’t just a player coming from Europe — I was part of something bigger.
The Captain’s Mindset
Being a team captain changed how I approached tennis.
It wasn’t just about winning matches — it was about representing my teammates, building trust, and keeping everyone motivated through ups and downs.
I started taking a larger role off the court, too.
I joined DePaul’s Student-Athlete Advisory Committee, which gave me a chance to advocate for other student-athletes and make our experience even better. That’s something I never expected when I came here — to grow not just as an athlete, but as a leader.
But right when I felt like everything was aligning, life threw me a curveball.
Setback and Perspective
My senior year was supposed to be my strongest.
Instead, it became one of the toughest.
I could feel it early in the season — I wasn’t playing like myself. I was forcing things, second-guessing, struggling to find rhythm.
Then, I injured my foot.
It wasn’t just a minor tweak. It ended my season.
Suddenly, I went from captain on the court… to captain on the sideline.
That was one of the hardest transitions I’ve ever had to make. Not being able to compete with my team — especially knowing we had a real chance to defend our title — was crushing.
But I didn’t check out.
If anything, I became more involved.
I showed up to every practice and match. I offered support, strategy, and perspective wherever I could. I still wore the captain title proudly — even in a walking boot.
And in that tough season, I found something I hadn’t expected:
Clarity.
That setback gave me time to reflect on everything this experience had given me. The personal growth. The cultural shift. The relationships. The mental strength.
And the NCAA gave me something too — a bonus year.
One More Shot
Now, heading into my fifth season, I feel like I’m starting all over again.
Not because I’m back at square one — but because I’m stepping onto the court with new eyes.
I know what it’s like to watch from the sidelines. I know what it means to claw your way into the lineup. I know how it feels to lift a championship trophy — and how it feels to wonder if you’ll ever get the chance again.
More than anything, I know who I am now.
I’m a competitor.
I’m a teammate.
I’m a leader.
And no matter what this season brings — wins, losses, comebacks, setbacks — I’ll meet it head on.
No regrets.
Just one more chance to give it everything I’ve got.
MORE STORIES
Copyright © 2025 DePaul University Athletics
Powered by
