High Noon Highlights(6/3): How going to Oklahoma State brought back a tennis player’s love of the game

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Aliona Bolsova rekindles passion for tennis at Oklahoma State:

Spanish tennis player Aliona Bolsova snagged the biggest win of her career over the weekend after beating Sorana Cirstea at the French Open. She sat down with WTAtennis.com to talk about her career so far and what lead to her big win.

“My parents, they’re telling me that at home I used to watch more sports on TV than cartoons,” she said. Her first venture onto the tennis court didn’t end happily (“I told my parents, ‘I don’t like this, take me home.’”) but after watching Maria Sharapova’s 2004 Wimbledon triumph, she decided to give the sport another try at five years old.

But it wasn’t until she played college tennis as an Oklahoma State University freshman that Bolsova really found her love for the game. In fact, she considered quitting tennis at the age of 17, burnt out by injury and the family pressure to compete.

“When I started showing tennis talent, my parents started sending me to tournaments, competing in Juniors, ITFs, and things like that. I did it for many years, but it was always more what my father wanted me to do,” she said. “And then I got the foot injury, and had to have surgery, and for me, that was it. I didn’t want to play tennis anymore.

“I said, ‘If I played another month, I’ll never play this sport again.’ I was like, 17 when this was happening.

“But when I went to college, I feel like, that was my choice. And I was playing again and competing again, I was doing it for myself and I realized actually I was enjoying it.” {WTAtennis.com}

Cowboy Football players arrive on campus:

Daniel Cormier releases statement on Alexander Gustafsson’s retirement:

Former Cowboy wrestler Daniel Cormier had some thoughts on the retirement of fellow MMA fighter Alexander Gustafsson.

“Alex, you will forever be one of the biggest players in my journey,” Cormier wrote. “We’ve agreed, we have argued and bickered, but ultimately you made me better. You made the sport better. You are a warrior and will be truly missed!

“I understand the motivation changes and for you it is now your family. I say now you’re starting to really live the good life. Congrats on a great career my man! You’re a hammer! See you around.”

Cormier, currently scheduled to defend his heavyweight title in a rematch with Stipe Miocic at UFC 241 in August, went five rounds with Gustafsson at UFC 192 on Oct. 3, 2015. It was the first defense of Cormier’s light heavyweight championship reign and he earned a narrow split decision win over Gustafsson after five rounds of back-and-forth action. {mmafighting.com}

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