Singapore tennis star Shaheed Alam was in Singapore off the back of a huge year in his freshman year in college, winning not just the college championship but also being named "Rookie of the Year"
As Singapore ramps up preparation for the Davis Cup on 18-21 October in Turkey, SportPlus.sg recently caught up with Singapore's tennis athlete Shaheed Alam for a quick chat to discuss life overseas, his first year in college tennis and being named Rookie of the Year.
Having made his Davis Cup debut in 2014 and then playing a key role in the tournament on home soil in 2019, Shaheed will be looking to go one better with his team mates in this month's expedition in Antalya, Turkey. Find out what Shaheed had to say about transitioning to training and competing overseas, and how it has benefited his overall development as an athlete.
What's it been like training overseas and playing with Keiser University?
Shaheed: At the start it was a bit of an eye opener, I wouldn't say it was difficult to adapt but it was a whole new experience for me so it took some time but I think I settled in pretty well with my new team mates, my coach and the whole environment. It's been really fun and I'm enjoying it. I'm looking forward to going back very soon.
Initially you weren't too keen on the overseas route, has your perspective changed on that?
Shaheed: Actually it has. Like I said, it's a huge eye opener. The amount of resources that goes into college sports in the US is huge and I think it's definitely a very good option for like juniors in Singapore thinking of taking the college route. It's a fantastic experience for sure.
What would you say is the toughest part of training overseas?
Shaheed: I wouldn't say just training overseas, but like living overseas? Because it's a different culture, you're super far away from your family. I'm really close to my family so it was difficult, and it still is. You know like going to the other side of the world with the time difference and all.
But you know like, you weight the pros and cons and overall it's a good experience if it's just gonna be three or four years so, it's good.
You mentioned a bit about being far away from home and has that been a big part in the challenge of juggling a university degree and the intense training that you do, which you're already exposed to in a certain degree as a Team Singapore athlete?
Shaheed: It has its own set of challenges for sure but it also makes it easier because like for example I am staying on campus and everything is in school and everything is very structured - from conditioning to on court training through classes, everything is there.
You don't really have to stress about it too much, and traveling for matches and competitions. The whole school is tailored for student athletes.
Has your college team become like a new-found family for you?
Shaheed: For sure, it was interesting to see how everyone was sad leaving for their summer breaks. We were all sharing pictures, videos of basically the whole year that we spent together and of the memories we had. So yeah it's good to be close, it makes it easier having a family outside your family miles away from home.
You were named Rookie of the Year, which isn't a small achievement. Based on the impact you had on the team's historic season, and your head coach Daniel Finn also said he was very proud of you. How has he and the team helped you in shaping and developing you as a college athlete?
Shaheed: It's pretty rare. It's something I didn't expect for sure because I'm going there to play for the team. Everything is for the team, so I wasn't really focusing on individual achievements. But for sure it's nice to get recognised and being a rookie of the year. I was really grateful and blessed to be able to get that award.
Has he as a personal coach made a big impact and taken you to a different level compared to where you were previously as an athlete?
Any tournaments coming up this year that are of significance to you?
Shaheed: The Davis Cup is happening in October, which like I said many many times, it is a huge honour for me to represent Singapore on the international stage so I'm really looking forward to that.
And having my team join me, it's in Turkey this year so I'll be flying from the US to Turkey and meeting with the rest of the team. So that will be super exciting and hopefully we can do well for Singapore.