Name: Fons van Sambeek
Born: 10 Feb. 2002
Sport: Tennis
University: North Carolina State University
Placed: Fall 2021
From Dutch Talent to College Tennis in the U.S.
Fons van Sambeek, a native from Veldhoven, started playing tennis at an early age at Amjoy, one of Slamstox’s partner academies. He played internationally at the highest level and was active on the ITF Junior tour. Fons belonged to the top 3 of the Netherlands in youth and was part of the Dutch youth selection. His goal? To take the next step in his career through college tennis, with the dream of eventually becoming a professional tennis player.
The path
Fons knew that college tennis was a great opportunity to further develop his tennis abilities, but the search for the right college and coach was challenging. He wanted to end up on a team where personal development and individual coaching were key. In addition, he was looking for a close-knit team atmosphere and coaches who created a family atmosphere.
Although several universities were interested in Fons, it was difficult for him to decide which option was best for him.
The added value of Slamstox
For Fons, choosing the right university and coach was not an easy task. Thanks to Slamstox’s guidance, he had the opportunity to meet different teams and coaches in person, which allowed him to make an informed decision. The visits to America made the difference for him. “During my visits, it became much clearer to me which coach I had a good connection with and where I really felt at home. That helped me enormously to make the right choice.”
In addition, the high scholarship made the financial picture much more attractive. Fons: “Slamstox helped me tremendously from the beginning with negotiating scholarships and arranging everything around my visits. This made the whole process much clearer and I felt confident in my choice.”
Success in America
Fons found his place on the NC State team, a top 20 team in America, where he was able to play many games from the beginning. His high scholarship covered almost all his costs, which made it very attractive financially. From day one, Fons felt at home within the team, thanks to the warm welcome from his teammates and coaches.
Tennis skills improved tremendously and he immediately received the right guidance to take his tennis to the next level. During his time in America, Fons played several pro tournaments and built an ATP ranking in both singles and doubles, with a highest doubles ranking of ATP 558.
Future
Fons now has the opportunity to make his tennis dream come true. His goal is to enter the ATP tour after graduation and continue his career as a professional tennis player.
“Slamstox has helped me perfectly through the whole process. The match with NC State is exactly what I was looking for and as a result I now have the opportunity to get the most out of my tennis. Thank you!”
Are you interested in playing college tennis in the U.S. just like Fons? Schedule a free introduction!
