Moez Echargui is a 29-year-old professional tennis player from Tunisia. Moez played college tennis for the University of Nevada from 2011-2015. He has a career-high ATP singles ranking of 337 on December 24, 2018, and is currently ranked 357 with 7 ITF singles and 8 doubles titles.
If you would like to check out his results click here, and if you want to follow along his journey on Instagram click here.
Interview Questions
- What was it like growing up in Tunisia? Was tennis a popular sport? How did you get introduced to tennis?
Tennis wasn’t as big as it is now, it wasn’t the main sport back then. I started playing when I was 10 years old. I come from a family that wasn’t involved in tennis at all. None of my family played tennis. I played a lot of sports as a kid, like football, basketball, and swimming, and I got introduced to tennis by luck. I had always watched the French Open on TV when I was young and I have always wanted to try the sport but never got the chance to do it. One day, I was playing football with my brothers and friends on a football field next to some tennis courts. The football was thrown over the wall by the tennis courts and I was the one asked to bring it back. That’s when I actually discovered that there were tennis courts close to my house and I asked my brothers to go play one day. Since then I have never stopped!
- At what age did you start getting serious about tennis?
I still remember the first day I grabbed a tennis racket, I spent countless hours playing against the wall. The neighbors next to us weren’t very happy with the constant hitting against the wall but I kept playing anyway, I was a kid and I loved it. I picked up tennis really fast and I started to play national tournaments within a year or so. I joined the national 12 and under team to participate in international tournaments like the African Championships as well.
- Did you play any ITF junior tournaments growing up?
I played some ITF juniors and was ranked 110 on the ITF Junior tour but I wasn’t able to play my last year because of some knee injuries. It was nice to compete and travel at an early age. I am very fortunate to be able to travel from an early age and play in different places. I think that’s what shaped my character and I learned a lot from it.
- Do you remember winning your first ATP point? How excited were you?
Of course, I remember my first point, I think everyone does, no? It was actually a couple of years back in Turkey. I was still in college back then and I went with a friend to play two ITF 10K tournaments in Istanbul over the summer break. I didn’t qualify in the first tournament but I did in the second one and reached the quarterfinals for the first time. It was an unbelievable feeling to be able to win that first point and get my name on that list of ranked players. It was so exciting!
- What was your biggest challenge when you first started your professional career?
One of the most important things when starting to play on the tour is to have a solid base where you can practice in between tournaments. I have struggled in finding that for a couple of years and I have wandered around for so many years alone on tour with no coach or base. I think having it is one of the most important assets in order to move forward and achieve your goals.
- What is your biggest challenge today?
One of the biggest challenges that I encounter today is the financial part of tennis. It is not easy to keep up with the expenses. Tennis is an expensive sport and in order to move forward, we need to invest more and more.
- What country has been your favorite to play in? What has been your favorite country to travel to?
Definitely the United States. I love the vibe and the energy of the people and the crowd. I haven’t been able to do it that often, but I am looking forward to playing there again.
- Can you describe what it means to you to represent Tunisia in Davis Cup?
There’s no such feeling as playing and defending your country’s colors. I have been very fortunate to represent Tunisia in Davis Cup many times. It is always a special feeling when entering the court and hearing the national anthem. Every time feels like it is the first time, a multitude of feelings submerging me at once.
- What do you think you need to do to break the top 300 and start playing challengers consistently?
I’m very close to breaking into the top 300. Just a couple more consistent wins and I’m there. I am dedicated and am working hard all the time because a good week could come at any time and I have to be ready for it.
- Have you ever thought about playing doubles only?
I have never thought about playing only doubles. I love doubles and I like the strategy part of it. But as of now, I’m focused more on singles. I will keep the door open for doubles, who knows maybe in the future.
- What is the most memorable moment of your professional career so far?
It’s special because I got to represent my country during Davis Cup. It was a couple of years ago in 2017. We were playing against Cyprus in Cyprus. I got chosen to play the first singles match against Baghdatis and it was a long battle of almost 5 hours. I got to win 7-5, 7-6, 4-6, 4-6, 6-1, and score the point for my country. It was my first and only win against a top-100 player. When I played against Baghdatis I was ranked 847 and he was ranked 47. It was an unbelievable experience and one of the best memories that I have had so far.
- What are your goals for the rest of 2022?
To finish the year off strong and make it to the Australian Open cut-off before the end of the year.
- What are your goals for 2023?
To play all the Grand Slams and make it to the top 50 ATP in a couple of years from now.
- If you had one piece of advice for a young player trying to go pro what would you tell them?
The road might look long and difficult at times but with the proper training and dedication, everything is possible. You just have to believe in yourself and take it one step at a time.
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