“`html
Old Dominion tennis Player Aryan Saleh Driven by Family’s Immigrant Experience
NORFOLK,Va. — For Old Dominion University sophomore tennis player Aryan Saleh, an off day is just another prospect to hone his skills. His relentless work ethic stems from his parents’ sacrifices after immigrating to Germany.
No Days Off
Aryan Saleh, a sophomore on the Old Dominion men’s tennis team, was recently seen practicing serves at the Folkes-Stevens Tennis Center, even though it was supposed to be a day off. His dedication didn’t go unnoticed.
ODU Men’s Tennis Coach Dominik Mueller noticed Saleh’s tireless efforts and advised him to rest. “ary, you’re tired,” he told Saleh. “Go home and take a break.”
Mueller acknowledged Saleh’s commitment. “He’s the hardest-working kid on the team,” he said, noting that Saleh consistently arrives an hour early for practice and stays late for extra training. “He always comes to practice an hour early and hits extra after practice. He would stay on the court six hours at a time if we allowed him to. Sometimes,we have to force him to dial it back a bit.”
Immigrant Roots fuel Drive
Saleh’s motivation goes beyond a simple desire to excel in tennis. His parents’ background as immigrants to Germany significantly influences his work ethic. His father, Abdullah, came from Iran, and his mother, Ramona, from Romania. Both left behind oppressive governments to build a new life in Germany.
“He knows his parents had a tough upbringing,” Mueller said. “They worked hard to provide him a better childhood than they had. He never considered himself as having grown up poor or with a tough life. But he understands his parents did. That’s why he has a chip on his shoulder.”
Saleh’s parents faced challenges integrating into German society. Neither spoke German upon arrival, a significant barrier to employment. Despite these initial struggles, they achieved success through perseverance. Saleh’s father is now a tennis pro, and his mother, who studied medicine in Romania, works as a nurse in Germany as her credentials weren’t fully recognized.
“My father had a really arduous life,” Saleh said. “He was from a poor family. His dad died when he was 19 and he had six brothers and a sister. they were a poor family.” Abdullah worked as a ball boy at a local tennis center in Iran “just to earn some money for the family,” eventually becoming a competitive player who represented Iran in international tournaments. Two of his brothers played in the Davis Cup, including one who played at Wimbledon.
saleh’s mother also experienced hardship. “Her family was also very poor,” he said. They met at a tennis center where Abdullah was teaching – Ramona was working at the tennis center as a housecleaner. “She didn’t have much money,” Saleh said.
Finding Acceptance and Inspiration
Saleh, who is fluent in Persian, Romanian, and English, feels grateful for his upbringing and the opportunities he has been given
