Middle Tennesee State University Athletics
Issa prepares for final season as a Blue Raider
6/15/2017 9:00:00 AM | Men's Tennis
MT rising senior discusses his time in Murfreesboro
MURFREESBORO, Tenn. – Three years after choosing to play his college tennis at Middle Tennessee, Gian Issa has taken the time to reflect on his career as a Blue Raider and set some lofty goals for his senior season.
Before he earned a spot on the All-Conference USA Second Team Singles list as a freshman in 2015, Issa was a college prospect with solid potential. After being born and raised in Paramaribo, Suriname, he finished up his high school tennis in Florida, where he started getting noticed by college coaches, including MT head coach Jimmy Borendame.
"I was playing in one of the biggest world junior tournaments called the Orange Bowl, and Coach Jimmy saw me play," Issa said. "After that, we kept in touch. I was talking to some other schools as well, then he invited me on a visit here, my fourth college visit. I really loved it here. I liked the teammates I was going to have my freshman year, and I decided to come here one week after my visit."
When Issa donned the MT royal blue and white for the first time in August 2014, he knew he would have lots to learn about playing on a team. Being the oldest on the team, he's now able to share his story of handling the pressure of college tennis.
"In my freshman year, especially in the beginning, I didn't really understand what playing on a team was like because I've always played by myself individually," Issa said. "There was always a lot of pressure for me going out there knowing that I was not only playing for myself, but I was impacting other matches. That was tough for me, and that's what I've been able to change now. I block it out now and just take care of what I have to take care of."
The 2017 season certainly provided Issa with plenty of opportunities for growth in handling pressure. In the singles portion of his game, he slipped out of the lineup early in the year but worked hard to get back in the lineup and closed out the season with six wins in his last 10 matches.
"A lot of it is confidence, especially with his game," MT assistant coach Daniel Leitner said. "He really had to scrap for some victories there in the middle part of the season. There were a couple matches when some things went wrong, either a bad call or an unlucky bounce. Then he forced those things to go the right way again, and he got a couple matches under his belt to help his confidence."
In doubles, Issa again partnered with fellow junior Miguel Negre Fernandez to tie for the second-most doubles wins in the dual match season. The duo finished the year with three consecutive victories, bringing their record at No. 3 doubles to 7-2, and they were rewarded at the end of the season with spots on the All-C-USA Second Team Doubles list.
"We understand each other and have a really good chemistry," Issa said of his doubles partner. "We came here together as freshmen, and I know him really well off the court, so that helps a lot. We can tell each other anything on the court. We both fight for each other, and I really have a fun time playing with him."
With just one year of eligibility left, Issa knows this is the most important season of his career. A 4-2 loss to Rice in the semifinals of last season's C-USA Championship at the Adams Tennis Complex is fresh on Issa's mind and has helped the rising senior to have big goals in 2017-18.
"Last year we were a little young and inexperienced in some parts, but we'll have a lot more experience this next year," Issa added. "I'm really excited for the year because we're going to have one of the most talented teams I've ever been part of. I've never won a conference championship, so I'd like to go out with one."
Before the Blue Raider sets his sights on hoisting a C-USA Championship trophy at Rice's George R. Brown Tennis Center in April 2018, he's focusing on improving this summer by playing lots of tournaments.
"I haven't played a match in a long time, so I'm just looking to play a couple of matches and get that match-mentality back so I'll be ready in August to start the fall," Issa said. "I would like to get a professional point this summer, but the most important thing is to play a lot of matches so I can get into the fall strong."
MT fans can catch Issa and fellow Blue Raider Jacob Pugh at the ITA Summer Circuit Powered by UTR at the Adams Tennis Complex on July 1-3.
Before he earned a spot on the All-Conference USA Second Team Singles list as a freshman in 2015, Issa was a college prospect with solid potential. After being born and raised in Paramaribo, Suriname, he finished up his high school tennis in Florida, where he started getting noticed by college coaches, including MT head coach Jimmy Borendame.
"I was playing in one of the biggest world junior tournaments called the Orange Bowl, and Coach Jimmy saw me play," Issa said. "After that, we kept in touch. I was talking to some other schools as well, then he invited me on a visit here, my fourth college visit. I really loved it here. I liked the teammates I was going to have my freshman year, and I decided to come here one week after my visit."
When Issa donned the MT royal blue and white for the first time in August 2014, he knew he would have lots to learn about playing on a team. Being the oldest on the team, he's now able to share his story of handling the pressure of college tennis.
"In my freshman year, especially in the beginning, I didn't really understand what playing on a team was like because I've always played by myself individually," Issa said. "There was always a lot of pressure for me going out there knowing that I was not only playing for myself, but I was impacting other matches. That was tough for me, and that's what I've been able to change now. I block it out now and just take care of what I have to take care of."
The 2017 season certainly provided Issa with plenty of opportunities for growth in handling pressure. In the singles portion of his game, he slipped out of the lineup early in the year but worked hard to get back in the lineup and closed out the season with six wins in his last 10 matches.
"A lot of it is confidence, especially with his game," MT assistant coach Daniel Leitner said. "He really had to scrap for some victories there in the middle part of the season. There were a couple matches when some things went wrong, either a bad call or an unlucky bounce. Then he forced those things to go the right way again, and he got a couple matches under his belt to help his confidence."
In doubles, Issa again partnered with fellow junior Miguel Negre Fernandez to tie for the second-most doubles wins in the dual match season. The duo finished the year with three consecutive victories, bringing their record at No. 3 doubles to 7-2, and they were rewarded at the end of the season with spots on the All-C-USA Second Team Doubles list."We understand each other and have a really good chemistry," Issa said of his doubles partner. "We came here together as freshmen, and I know him really well off the court, so that helps a lot. We can tell each other anything on the court. We both fight for each other, and I really have a fun time playing with him."
With just one year of eligibility left, Issa knows this is the most important season of his career. A 4-2 loss to Rice in the semifinals of last season's C-USA Championship at the Adams Tennis Complex is fresh on Issa's mind and has helped the rising senior to have big goals in 2017-18.
"Last year we were a little young and inexperienced in some parts, but we'll have a lot more experience this next year," Issa added. "I'm really excited for the year because we're going to have one of the most talented teams I've ever been part of. I've never won a conference championship, so I'd like to go out with one."
Before the Blue Raider sets his sights on hoisting a C-USA Championship trophy at Rice's George R. Brown Tennis Center in April 2018, he's focusing on improving this summer by playing lots of tournaments.
"I haven't played a match in a long time, so I'm just looking to play a couple of matches and get that match-mentality back so I'll be ready in August to start the fall," Issa said. "I would like to get a professional point this summer, but the most important thing is to play a lot of matches so I can get into the fall strong."
MT fans can catch Issa and fellow Blue Raider Jacob Pugh at the ITA Summer Circuit Powered by UTR at the Adams Tennis Complex on July 1-3.
Players Mentioned
MTSU Tennis Pro-Am 9/6/25
Tuesday, September 09
Facility tour – Stephen and Denise Smith Student-Athlete Performance Center
Wednesday, July 30
Men's Tennis NCAA Selection Show Watch Party on 04/28/25
Tuesday, April 29
MTSU Men's Tennis CUSA Championship vs Liberty Recap on 04/20/25
Wednesday, April 23
