Cristina Tiglea: The Italian Tennis Prodigy Chasing Her Dreams

At just 11 years old, Cristina Tiglea left her home in Milan, Italy to join the Italian national tennis team, forgoing a traditional childhood to pursue her passion for the sport. Now a senior transfer at Baylor University, Tiglea's journey has been marked by sacrifice, determination, and a relentless drive to make her mother's dreams a reality.

Unlocking the Potential of a Tennis Prodigy

Leaving Home at 11 to Join the National Team

Cristina Tiglea's path to becoming a collegiate tennis star was anything but conventional. Born into a family of professional athletes, Tiglea's love for the sport blossomed at a young age. By the time she was 11 years old, she had already left her home in Milan to join the Italian national tennis team, forgoing a traditional childhood to pursue her passion."I always wanted to play tennis," Tiglea said. "There were some days where I'm like, 'I don't have a life; I feel kind of lonely,' because I left home when I was 11 to go practice with the national team. So it was kind of hard. I didn't have a normal childhood, just like the other tennis players. But I just realized that that's my life, and I want to keep going."

Balancing School and Tennis

Tiglea's commitment to the sport was unwavering, even as she navigated the challenges of her unique lifestyle. Italian law dictated that prospective national team members complete their middle school education, leading Tiglea to alternate between a week of practice with the national team and a month of schooling and private lessons from her tennis coach.This constant back-and-forth took Tiglea away from her parents for long stretches of time, a sacrifice she acknowledges but one she believes ultimately helped her grow and mature. "I also have a little sister, that sometimes I regret [not spending] enough time with her, but what I'm doing is also for them," Tiglea said. "I put a lot of sacrifice, but I never felt like that was too much, leaving from a very young age. Actually it helped me to grow there, and I feel more mature."

Chasing Her Mother's Dreams

Tiglea's decision to pursue tennis was deeply rooted in her family's history. Her mother and aunt were both professional tennis players, but they were unable to fully invest in their careers due to the lack of support during the Communist era in Romania. Determined to carry on her family's legacy, Tiglea set her sights on making her mother's dreams a reality."When I was 11 or 12, I felt different than the other kids that were still at school, still playing with the toys, video games," Tiglea said. "Whenever they were inviting me to do something, I was like, 'No, I have tennis; I'm sorry.' For me, it was a job. If a professor was asking me, 'What do you want to be in five years?' — I want to be a tennis player. That was my first answer. So, no Plan B."

Transitioning to the American College System

Tiglea's dedication and talent caught the attention of American scouts, leading her to make the bold decision to leave Italy and enroll at Texas Tech University. This transition, however, was not without its challenges, as Tiglea faced an "awkward exit" from the Red Raiders program just two weeks before the NCAA Tournament.Tiglea's decision to enter the transfer portal was met with criticism, as some accused her of being a "traitor." Several coaches even badmouthed Baylor coaches and players, making the process even more difficult. But Tiglea remained steadfast in her choice, citing personal reasons and a desire to find a program that cared about her as a person, not just as a player.

Finding a Home at Baylor

Tiglea's move to Baylor University has proven to be a game-changer, both on and off the court. The senior transfer has immediately made an impact, with Baylor head coach Joey Scrivano singling her out as a key player for the team.Tiglea's presence has also been felt in the team's dynamic, with sophomore Zuzanna Kubacha praising her congeniality and leadership. "From Day 1, she's super supportive. She's a leader. We can tell that she's a leader on our team. She's taking things in her hands, she's not waiting for anybody to speak up, to stand out. She's the one who's taking care of us," Kubacha said.As Tiglea prepares for the upcoming season, she is eager to make the most of her final collegiate chapter. "I love tennis; I have so much passion," Tiglea said. "I'm really excited and thrilled to finish my college career here. And I have this positive vibe, like, good feeling that we're gonna do so good during the season in the spring. … I can't wait."