Male Spotlight: Love, Set, Match! Rittenauer makes strides on and off the tennis court

For Barry senior and tennis stand-out, Patrick Rittenauer, the game is really love, set, match. A native of Offenau, Germany and an only child, he often didn’t have a playmate. Rittenauer looked for various activities to occupy his time. But by coincidence, at the tender age of six, Rittenauaer picked up his first racket and immediately fell in LOVE.

“At that time, tennis was on the rise and everybody was playing, so I tried it and loved it” Rittenauaer stated with a hearty infectious laugh. The time Rittenauaer was referring to was in the late 1980s, when Boris Becker and Steffi Graf, a German man and woman both occupied the top steeds of the world professional tennis rankings. The emergence of Becker and Graf as superstars automatically put Germany on the map as a tennis powerhouse. Officially ushering tennis onto the scene with the whole country smitten and Patrick was no different. The only difference between him and others was that once he witnessed Becker’s and Graf’s success, he started playing, and he was unable to stop.

As the years progressed, Patrick began to realize he had a talent for tennis. After practicing for many hours almost everyday, he began to master his craft, culminating his talents into an exceptional junior career. During his time on the junior circuit in Germany he was consistently nationally ranked in the top five of his age group and place in the top three at nationals at the ages of 15, 16, and 17. After finishing high school in Germany, Patrick had his sights set on America and Barry University as his new home.

“At first I wanted to come to America just for a year, so I could learn the language, but I fell in love and met my then girlfriend, now fiancé, Sapima Zuccolillo, so I decided to stay.” said Rittenauer with a chuckle.

Arriving in America and going from the familiar cold of Germany to the often fierce heat of Miami was quite an adjustment. “I love it now.” says Rittenauer. Rittenauer love for Miami and Barry truly shows he is an extraordinary student-athlete on and off the court. Rittenauer has worked his way to the top, by working hard individually and with coaches on the tennis court, while applying that same work ethic individually with teachers in the classroom.

Most recently, Ritenauer was named Sunshine State Conference Scholar Athlete of the year. And if that isn’t enough, he was also named by “ESPN Magazine” First Team Academic All-District, making him eligible for the All-America Team. Over the past four years, while practicing countless hours, traveling and participating in numerous tennis matches, Rittenauer has compiled a 3.945 grade point average while double majoring in political science and international studies.

“My favorite class is economics. We talk about the relationship between politics and economy. Everything from getting better living conditions in third world countries to inflation is touched on. I find it very interesting.” After he graduates, Rittenauer plans to get his masters in finance. What can’t this man do?

Rittenauer is on the top of his game in the classroom and on the tennis court things are no different. He finished last season ranked fourth in the nation, posting an 11-1 record in singles play and 12-3 in doubles play. When watching him play, many can see the likes of tennis greats like Andy Roddick and Roger Federer. “I would love to be able to play like him [Federer] ” Rittenauer says. If you look closely, you might even see a slight resemblance between Federer and Rittenauer.

Though from Germany, Patrick also likes the play of American tennis star, Andy Roddick and uses him as a model for parts of his game. “I like Roddick. He has a big serve.” Says Rittenauer. Like Roddick, Rittenauer loves to serve first. He is what many would call a front runner. Once he gets ahead, the competitor doesn’t have a chance. “I like to serve first and keep the match short.” explains Rittenauer “I don’t move that well, so I use the serve to keep the matches short. And I like to get out the heat as fast as I can”.

Rittenauer’s fierce will to win and love for the game not only keeps him on his toes, but it helps his teammates as well. Teammate and Junior Manuel Lauter says, “When you see how hard he competes out there, you want to give it your all. His strength and determination is great.

Assistant Coach, Thomas Hipp says, “He is a very hard worker whose game motivates his teammates."

The 2008 season will be the last for Rittenauer. But instead of being down about it he feels great.

“I’m looking forward to my last season here. I hope we win nationals. For a couple of years we reached the finals and last year the quarters [quarterfinals]. I think we have a chance to go all the way.” Rittenauer is determined with his LOVE for the game and impeccable work ethic to help the team to reach their goals by winning every SET and MATCH. But with all that work one needs a little play.

Outside of the tennis world, Rittenauer does enjoy other sports. In his spare time he enjoys playing basketball as well as soccer. He also enjoys the city of Miami. “Downtown is nice.” Rittenauer explains “I like the palm trees and the high rises. I love the beach as well. But the best the part of Miami is the …….”

Well I was held to secrecy on that one. If you want to know that answer you are going to have to attend a match and do some investigative journalism yourself.