B&F magazine doesn’t often, but occasionally, shares stories of Moldovan citizens whose professional journeys have taken them abroad and found success, and who have meaningful experiences to share with their fellow countrymen. Most of the time, our guests are people whose names were already well-known while they lived in Moldova. We also interview representatives of the younger generation who’ve built successful careers far from home—without giving up their Moldovan citizenship. We have every reason to be proud of their achievements!
Take Andrei Soltoianu, for example—a former promising young Moldovan tennis player. Until recently, he was predicted to have a bright future in sports, which was unfortunately cut short by injury. But Andrei didn’t leave the world of tennis. Today, he is a successful coach at Gorin Tennis Academy in California, USA. Our sports columnist Vladimir Sidorenko had an engaging and timely conversation with him—one that will resonate with young athletes and their parents alike. But we’ll let you judge for yourself.
B&F: Why did you choose to begin your coaching career not on Moldovan courts, but at the Gorin Tennis Academy?
A. S.: Because it was the only center—well known on the U.S. West Coast—that offered me a coaching position after my injury ended my professional playing career. I had been competing in prestigious tournaments in the U.S. as a player.
B&F: Did you also begin learning tennis in the U.S.?
A. S.: No, in Moldova. I was seven when my parents first took me to the court at the Olympia Tennis Club in Chișinău. My first coach was Victor Matveevich. I’m deeply grateful to him for guiding me into the sport that later became my profession. At age 12, I was invited to continue my tennis education in Russia at the Chaika Tennis Club in Moscow, and a year later, I moved to Marl, Germany, to train at the Marler Tennis Academy.
B&F: What motivated you to move to Germany?
A. S.: The desire to continue my tennis development, and the fact that I needed to begin competing in various tournaments—including international ones. Marl is close to traditional tournament hubs, which was financially important too. Tennis is an expensive sport. I’m thankful to Boris Braude for sponsoring me while I was in Germany. Despite living abroad, I stayed connected to Moldova—competing regularly in junior tournaments back home. I’m a Moldovan champion in singles in the U12, U14, and U16 categories, and I was the runner-up in the adult national championship.
B&F: You lived in Germany for 10 years. Did you compete in their national tennis circuit?
A. S.: Yes, many times. I was among the top 20 U21 players in Germany and ranked in the top 150 adult players. I won the West German U21 Championship and was a finalist in the West German adult team championship.
B&F: Did you ever play against current top tennis players?
A. S.: Yes, quite a few times. For example, I played multiple matches against Ilya Ivashka from Belarus, who’s currently ranked 41st in the ATP world rankings.
B&F: Did you represent Moldova at international events?
A. S.: Yes, I was part of the national team for the Davis Cup in 2015, 2016, and 2017. The Davis Cup is the most prestigious team competition in world tennis. The feeling you get when the Moldovan anthem plays and our flag is raised—it's indescribable. It’s also a tremendous responsibility—to your country, your team, your coaches, and yourself. Now, as a coach, I dream of one of my students playing in the Davis Cup. Maybe then we’ll compare feelings.
B&F: What’s it like being a coach before even turning 30?
A. S.: It’s not easy. Coaching is both mentally and physically demanding. But when you see your students winning, the struggles fade into the background. Coaching is fascinating and multifaceted. A coach is more than someone who teaches techniques—they’re a psychologist, a friend, sometimes even a parent figure. Each player needs a unique approach.
To me, a coach is someone who sees their students as real people and supports them in life. My principle: the best coaches don’t just raise great athletes—they raise great people. I aim to influence my players not just professionally, but to help them become better versions of themselves both on and off the court.
B&F: You seem to idealize the coach’s role. You coach groups of 20 kids. Isn’t your main job just to teach them tennis techniques? If you take on responsibility for their personal development too, then what role do parents, school, and society play?
A. S.: That’s an oversimplification. As I said, coaching is multifaceted. Some students attend two-hour sessions, but with others I’m with them all day—traveling to tournaments, mentoring them closely. I often spend more time with them than their parents do. Many of these kids are 12 or 13, studying remotely while focusing on tennis. Schools have limited influence on their personal growth, so I remind them about homework and keep them on track—even if tomorrow’s lesson is math.
B&F: So you help with homework and keep their school schedule in mind?
A. S.: They do the work themselves, but my presence keeps them disciplined. I also stay in touch with their teachers. Tennis is a tough sport—it forces you to mature quickly. These kids plan their own days and become more responsible than most of their peers.
B&F: Do you have a coaching license?
A. S.: In the U.S., former pro players don’t need a license to coach young athletes. Still, I completed a degree in Physical Education and Sports at the State University of Moldova, so I’m a certified P.E. teacher.
B&F: Young tennis players start tournaments early and miss school. When do they study?
A. S.: Between training and matches. Their education is remote, but they complete all assignments on time—no exceptions from teachers.
B&F: What were your own school years like?
A. S.: Like the song says, they were wonderful. I spent hours training daily but still did well in school. I graduated from Chișinău’s School No. 89 “Children’s Academy” with honors. I completed high school in Bonn, Germany, at the school affiliated with the Russian consulate. I speak Russian, English, Romanian, and German—some better than others.
B&F: There’s a saying: when you gain something, you lose something. Professional sports require immense effort, often at the expense of education. Isn’t it more fun for kids to learn forehands than formulas?
A. S.: It’s not that simple. People are different. I loved both school and tennis. I had a fully packed day and it never bothered me. Others neglected their studies—not due to time, but lack of interest. But time flies in sports—injuries happen, careers end. Then you need to reinvent yourself, and a solid education really helps.
That’s why, from personal experience, I keep a close eye on my students’ academics. Not because I have to, but because I care. When I see them slacking, I gently insist they stay on top of things. Luckily, most of my students are curious and committed learners.
B&F: Hypothetically, if you were offered the position of head coach of Moldova’s national tennis team, what would you say?
A. S.: I’d say yes—but not right now. Maybe in a few years, after I gain more experience.
B&F: Thank you for the conversation. We wish you success in raising future champions! ■
Original: https://www.profit.md/articles-ru/number_3_2022/553067/
Take Andrei Soltoianu, for example—a former promising young Moldovan tennis player. Until recently, he was predicted to have a bright future in sports, which was unfortunately cut short by injury. But Andrei didn’t leave the world of tennis. Today, he is a successful coach at Gorin Tennis Academy in California, USA. Our sports columnist Vladimir Sidorenko had an engaging and timely conversation with him—one that will resonate with young athletes and their parents alike. But we’ll let you judge for yourself.
B&F: Why did you choose to begin your coaching career not on Moldovan courts, but at the Gorin Tennis Academy?
A. S.: Because it was the only center—well known on the U.S. West Coast—that offered me a coaching position after my injury ended my professional playing career. I had been competing in prestigious tournaments in the U.S. as a player.
B&F: Did you also begin learning tennis in the U.S.?
A. S.: No, in Moldova. I was seven when my parents first took me to the court at the Olympia Tennis Club in Chișinău. My first coach was Victor Matveevich. I’m deeply grateful to him for guiding me into the sport that later became my profession. At age 12, I was invited to continue my tennis education in Russia at the Chaika Tennis Club in Moscow, and a year later, I moved to Marl, Germany, to train at the Marler Tennis Academy.
B&F: What motivated you to move to Germany?
A. S.: The desire to continue my tennis development, and the fact that I needed to begin competing in various tournaments—including international ones. Marl is close to traditional tournament hubs, which was financially important too. Tennis is an expensive sport. I’m thankful to Boris Braude for sponsoring me while I was in Germany. Despite living abroad, I stayed connected to Moldova—competing regularly in junior tournaments back home. I’m a Moldovan champion in singles in the U12, U14, and U16 categories, and I was the runner-up in the adult national championship.
B&F: You lived in Germany for 10 years. Did you compete in their national tennis circuit?
A. S.: Yes, many times. I was among the top 20 U21 players in Germany and ranked in the top 150 adult players. I won the West German U21 Championship and was a finalist in the West German adult team championship.
B&F: Did you ever play against current top tennis players?
A. S.: Yes, quite a few times. For example, I played multiple matches against Ilya Ivashka from Belarus, who’s currently ranked 41st in the ATP world rankings.
B&F: Did you represent Moldova at international events?
A. S.: Yes, I was part of the national team for the Davis Cup in 2015, 2016, and 2017. The Davis Cup is the most prestigious team competition in world tennis. The feeling you get when the Moldovan anthem plays and our flag is raised—it's indescribable. It’s also a tremendous responsibility—to your country, your team, your coaches, and yourself. Now, as a coach, I dream of one of my students playing in the Davis Cup. Maybe then we’ll compare feelings.
B&F: What’s it like being a coach before even turning 30?
A. S.: It’s not easy. Coaching is both mentally and physically demanding. But when you see your students winning, the struggles fade into the background. Coaching is fascinating and multifaceted. A coach is more than someone who teaches techniques—they’re a psychologist, a friend, sometimes even a parent figure. Each player needs a unique approach.
To me, a coach is someone who sees their students as real people and supports them in life. My principle: the best coaches don’t just raise great athletes—they raise great people. I aim to influence my players not just professionally, but to help them become better versions of themselves both on and off the court.
B&F: You seem to idealize the coach’s role. You coach groups of 20 kids. Isn’t your main job just to teach them tennis techniques? If you take on responsibility for their personal development too, then what role do parents, school, and society play?
A. S.: That’s an oversimplification. As I said, coaching is multifaceted. Some students attend two-hour sessions, but with others I’m with them all day—traveling to tournaments, mentoring them closely. I often spend more time with them than their parents do. Many of these kids are 12 or 13, studying remotely while focusing on tennis. Schools have limited influence on their personal growth, so I remind them about homework and keep them on track—even if tomorrow’s lesson is math.
B&F: So you help with homework and keep their school schedule in mind?
A. S.: They do the work themselves, but my presence keeps them disciplined. I also stay in touch with their teachers. Tennis is a tough sport—it forces you to mature quickly. These kids plan their own days and become more responsible than most of their peers.
B&F: Do you have a coaching license?
A. S.: In the U.S., former pro players don’t need a license to coach young athletes. Still, I completed a degree in Physical Education and Sports at the State University of Moldova, so I’m a certified P.E. teacher.
B&F: Young tennis players start tournaments early and miss school. When do they study?
A. S.: Between training and matches. Their education is remote, but they complete all assignments on time—no exceptions from teachers.
B&F: What were your own school years like?
A. S.: Like the song says, they were wonderful. I spent hours training daily but still did well in school. I graduated from Chișinău’s School No. 89 “Children’s Academy” with honors. I completed high school in Bonn, Germany, at the school affiliated with the Russian consulate. I speak Russian, English, Romanian, and German—some better than others.
B&F: There’s a saying: when you gain something, you lose something. Professional sports require immense effort, often at the expense of education. Isn’t it more fun for kids to learn forehands than formulas?
A. S.: It’s not that simple. People are different. I loved both school and tennis. I had a fully packed day and it never bothered me. Others neglected their studies—not due to time, but lack of interest. But time flies in sports—injuries happen, careers end. Then you need to reinvent yourself, and a solid education really helps.
That’s why, from personal experience, I keep a close eye on my students’ academics. Not because I have to, but because I care. When I see them slacking, I gently insist they stay on top of things. Luckily, most of my students are curious and committed learners.
B&F: Hypothetically, if you were offered the position of head coach of Moldova’s national tennis team, what would you say?
A. S.: I’d say yes—but not right now. Maybe in a few years, after I gain more experience.
B&F: Thank you for the conversation. We wish you success in raising future champions! ■
Original: https://www.profit.md/articles-ru/number_3_2022/553067/
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