From Brazil to College Tennis

How Hugo Kezen built his path at Pfeiffer University

In this episode of the SMART Tennis™ Podcast, we sit down with Hugo Kezen to explore what it really takes to go from international tennis to competing at the college level in the United States.

From growing up in Rio de Janeiro to building a new life in North Carolina… Hugo shares the real challenges, adjustments, and opportunities that come with the journey.

If you're a player or parent trying to understand the college pathway… this is a conversation you’ll want to hear.

• How Hugo got started in tennis and the influence of his athletic background
• The key differences between training in Brazil vs the US
• What the recruiting process actually looks like for international players
• How visas, agents, and logistics work behind the scenes
• Adjusting to a new culture, environment, and expectations
• What college tennis team culture is really like
• The role of mindset, resilience, and self belief in long term success
• What young players should focus on if they want to play in college

00:00 — Introduction & overview
00:48 — Early tennis in Brazil
02:48 — Transition from soccer
05:46 — Growing up in a football culture
07:06 — Adapting to US training
10:13 — Recruitment journey
13:30 — Visa process
15:04 — Cultural adaptation
20:03 — First impressions in the US
26:25 — Starting college life
28:51 — Coaching style & team culture
33:02 — Team diversity
35:59 — Season highlights
39:39 — College tennis environment
43:38 — Tournament experiences
45:46 — Mental preparation
46:56 — Advice for players
48:02 — Closing thoughts

Learn more about SMART Tennis™👉 https://tennistimeacademies.com/

Make a Living. Make a Difference. (Coaching Opportunities)👉 https://tennistimeacademies.com/make-a-living-make-a-difference/

SMART Tennis Makes SMART Kids (Book)👉 https://store.tennistimeacademies.com/SMART_Tennis_Book_on_Amazon

Apply to be on the podcast👉 https://podcast.tennistimeacademies.com/apply-to-be-on-the-podcast

Connect with Hugo on Instagram👉 https://www.instagram.com/kezen_hugo/