Photo Credit: Brandon Oram, Photo Editor
Idaho State Athletics
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It was never in Gary Rendek’s plan to come to the United States to get an education and play tennis. As a teenager, the now Bengal graduate student, was content staying in Hungary to play tennis and attend school.
His mind started to change when he was 17 and then when he was 18 he took all the tests to come to the United States.
“I didn’t know that college sports were this competitive in the United States,” Rendek said on his decision to leave Hungary for the U.S. “We don’t really have sports at Universities. We have club sports. It is exciting but nothing close to what it is like playing here in the US. It has been a good experience for me.”
Rendek can thank his mom, for his love for tennis. She started teaching Rendek the sport at age six and it wasn’t long after that he started competing in matches. When he was 12 he played in a lot of international tournaments against many of the big players who are now on tour.
“I was pretty good in juniors,” he said. “We played on red clay back home. The elevation is a little different here at Idaho State compared to at sea level back home where the balls are a little bit slower.”
Rendek, who would travel to different countries in Europe to compete, was given the opportunity to play at Mesa Community College.
During his time at Mesa he was the Arizona Athletic Conference Player of the Year in 2018 and earned first-team NJCAA All-American honors. He advanced to the semi-finals of the NJCAA Division 1 Men’s tennis championship at No. 2 with what would be a future Idaho State teammate in David Felix.
Upon arrival in Pocatello, Rendek made an immediate impact as he posted a 13-2 doubles record and an 8-2 conference doubles mark. He earned first-team all-conference in doubles with Felix.
Rendek thought his final year of playing collegiate tennis was going to be cut short due to COVID-19. Instead the NCAA gave spring sport athletes the opportunity to continue playing and not lose a year of eligibility.
“I was going to get my masters here anyways so I am just happy to be part of the team again,” Rendek said.
Rendek’s major is business administration with an emphasis in marketing or management.
“It has been an amazing experience coming to the US and get an education and have the tennis included,” Rendek said. “That is the main reason I came here because I could get an athletic scholarship.”
