Brothers On and Off the Court
Two brothers on the 黑料吃瓜 mens tennis team push each other to succeed.
Sophomore Raul de la Torre and freshman Daniel de la Torre began playing tennis at a young age under the coaching of their father, Raul de la Torre Sr., who played tennis for more than 45 years.
The younger Raul said growing up with Daniel was a rewarding experience because their age gap was so small that they had similar interests and wanted to do everything together.
鈥淪ince we are brothers, we don鈥檛 like losing against each other so I think that has made us even more competitive and better tennis players,鈥� the younger Raul said. 鈥淚 don鈥檛 see it as an obstacle; I see it as something great for us.鈥�
Daniel said he admires his brother because he is hard-working and inspires him to follow in his footsteps but to also write his own story.
鈥淭here is a lot of discipline in both of us,鈥� Daniel said. 鈥淭here are a lot of good things I see in his game so I try to emulate what he does.鈥�
For their father, it was important both of his sons pursued a higher education and attended a university with a Division I tennis program.
鈥淗aving them both San Diego State playing Division I tennis is awesome because they are taking care of their education and are doing what they love," Raul Sr. said.
Raul鈥檚 father said his younger son developed a strong forehand when he was little because he wanted to beat his older brother.
"Raul would train more because here鈥檚 his younger brother trying to catch up and the younger one was playing harder so that he could catch up,鈥� Raul Sr. said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 been very helpful for both of them because this competitiveness has taken them to a higher level.鈥�
The brothers attribute their success not only to their competitive edge, but to their father鈥檚 support. Daniel said his father did not have the same education opportunities and sometimes would wake at 5 a.m. to get ready for work.
鈥淗e鈥檚 definitely proud of where we are and what we have achieved,鈥� the younger Raul said. 鈥淚 thank my parents for where we are.鈥�
But both brothers agreed their competitiveness follows them off the court.
鈥淒aniel is a hardworking guy,鈥� the younger Raul said. 鈥淗e might be stubborn, but I think that has helped him get to where he is now. I don鈥檛 think I would be myself if I didn鈥檛 have my brother.鈥�
This article originally appeared in .
