With the help of tennis, four international students are finding a new home in St. Louis.

Both the men’s and women’s tennis teams at Saint Louis University have been bolstered by help from abroad this season. All four international student-athletes may have traveled different paths to arrive at SLU, but all of them have decided that being a Billiken can help them grow, both on and off the court.

Senior Joe Becker, now playing in her fourth season for SLU women’s tennis, is originally from Frankfurt, Germany. While she claims no relation to fellow German and tennis great Boris Becker, she said that playing tennis gave her the joy of meeting her namesake as well as several other great opportunities.

“Studying abroad, gaining life experience, using a new language; these are all pretty common and important in Germany,” Becker said.

Tennis has allowed her to do all of these.

Unfortunately she has also felt some of the drawbacks. Studying abroad has removed her from her home and family. She claims that her family has been very encouraging, though she still misses them.

One of her favorite times at SLU has been a visit from her mom during last year’s Atlantic 10 conference tournament in Pittsburgh, Pa.

“I was very excited, so was she. She had never been to America,” Becker said. “It was the first time anyone from my family got to see me play here.”

And when family can’t be in town, Becker enjoys spending time with her teammates.

“We are always together, even when we aren’t doing stuff for tennis. They are my family here.”

Becker is joined on the women’s team by fellow German, Kasia Tomalak.

Tomalak, a sophomore, was born in Poland but raised in Krefeld, Germany.

She initially attended the University of Louisville after she was recruited by one of the assistant coaches there. The coach was also German and knew one of Tomalak’s coaches back in Germany.

Tomalak chose to come to the United States for many of the same reasons that Becker did. “I liked the opportunity. I wanted to continue tennis and schooling,” Tomalak said.

She too, has received a lot of encouragement from her family.

“They’re happy as long as I’m happy,” Tomalak said.

SLU Director of Tennis operations and Head Coach Jonathan Zych is acquaintanced with the coach at Louisville, which is how he has been able to bring in the talented transfer students that he has.

Tomalak was only one of three international transfer students from Louisville. Juniors James McArthur and Ken Nordheim also both chose Billiken blue over Cardinal red after meeting with coach Zych.

“Coach Zych was just really positive. You could tell he was pushing the program in the right direction,” McArthur said. “I wanted to be part of it, a catalyst to something special and exciting.”

McArthur has made the longest geological trek to St. Louis, coming all the way from Melbourne, Australia. His family was very supportive in his decision to study abroad, especially his dad, who studied abroad himself in England.

McArthur was recently recognized as the A-10 Performer of the Week, winning four singles and doubles matches in a row. But he remains humble and focused on his team.

“It [the award] would’ve been sweeter if we had taken the win against Drake,” McArthur said.

Winning those doubles matches alongside McArthur was his partner, Nordheim.

Nordheim also transferred from Louisville and was very excited to have the chance to study in the United States.

“Studying in America was kind of a dream for me. In Norway, college and athletics are separated. I would’ve had to stop playing tennis altogether and paid a lot more for my studies,” Nordheim explained.

However, upon arriving in Louisville, Nordheim learned his dream would be tougher than he originally thought.

“After my first year, I wanted to return to Norway, to come home,” Nordheim said. “At Louisville, the team was not connected at all. Everything was a competition; it wasn’t fun.”

After some reinforcement from his dad, Nordheim decided to stay abroad.

Eventually, he was contacted by Zych as well and was impressed with the atmosphere at SLU.

“I’ve just always tried to treat people with respect and put them in the position to succeed,” Zych said.

Zych explained that recruiting international students mostly comes down to knowing the coaches and other people in the tennis community that have had contact with specific students.

He feels confident about this year’s squad, especially the contributions from the international players.

“These four [international players] are the strongest we’ve had since I’ve been here.”