Junior Andres Monroy has been through quite a bit of adversity during his time with the Cardinals including being sidelined with a career-threatening hip injury and his teammate and best friend Eduardo Pavia being transferred in the summer. Monroy took quite a journey from Mexico City to Muncie and just hopes he can continue to play tennis this season.
What is your hip injury?
My blood doesn't go through the [hip] bones and the bones are getting very weak. There might be a fracture there. They are not sure, but they don't want to take a risk. So they want me to rest for six weeks. So I'm not allowed to run or jump or exercise my lower body.
Were you lucky to discover the hip injury when you did?
I was lucky. I had issues with my hips since last year, but it wasn't bad. So during winter break I went to visit a doctor back home and he gave me some injections and they were helping me with the pain. So I asked the trainers to give me those injections after break, but they wouldn't do it because it wasn't legal. So they asked a doctor in the orthopedic center here in Muncie and he took a look at me and said he would take an MRI just in case, so we didn't miss anything. The MRI was bad news so sinse then I haven't been able to hit or practice at all. So it was lucky that we found that out because I could have been injured for my entire career and not notice it until later.
Is it true you might have needed a hip replacement had you kept playing?
That's what we are trying to protect. So that I can get better the next six weeks and I will be able to finish playing the season and the next year too. I'm going to see a doctor on Feb. 18 in Indy. He's a hip specialist, I'm going to talk to him and see what happens there.
How hard has it been sitting out much of the season?
It's been a tough year for me so far. I've been going to all the practices and matches, and I look at all the guys fighting and practicing hard and not being able to do anything it's sad for me. I just want to give a little bit so we can accomplish our goals this year.
How hard was it when your teammate Eduardo Pavia transferred this season to the University of Miami?
He was the leader of this team and he was my best friend here. We were brothers, we shared culture, we shared language and we did a lot of things together. I missed him bad. It was his decision and he's happy and I can't blame him for that.
What made you come from Mexico City to Ball State?
Since I was in high school I always wanted to come to [the] U.S. I didn't know where. I was playing in the ITF. ITF is a tournament for juniors. David Roditi now is a coach at TCU. He saw me play and talked to my parents and my parents explained that I wanted to come to the U.S. He asked me what my options were and I said one of my options was Ball State. And right away he said that Ball State was a good option because he knew coach Bill Richards. Two days later Coach Richards sent me an e-mail with an offer. My older brother went to Northern Illinois so he knew coach, he knew the school, he knew the teammates and he knew that it was one of the great schools of the MAC.
Do you ever get homesick being so far from home?
A lot, especially this time of year. The weather is cold. To be far away from home makes you grateful for what you have back home, your family and friends.
What would you like to do with tennis after Ball State?
If I stay healthy, I would like to play a few professional tournaments. That would be great. And if I can try to help more guys from Mexico live the experience I have. I have an offer to play tennis back home and they will pay for my master's. That's one option.
People say you're the joker on the team. Give us an example.
Once we were coming back from Vegas [Spring Break Tournament in 2009], Shaun [Bussert] was saying that he had traveled a lot. We were at the airport and he said that "this is my 500th flight" so everybody was like "look at him." So then I said "Mr. Businessman" and since then everyone calls him "Business" because that's his attitude. That's how he behaves on and off the court.
Ever been the victim of a team prank?
My first trip was at Notre Dame and when I got back from dinner I couldn't find my bag, I couldn't find my clothes, my mattress was in the side of the bathroom. My rackets were in the hall. That is what it is like to be a freshman.
Anything else you would like to add?
We are not the favorites to win the MAC, but we would like to be known as the favorites. This year things might be different with this young team and I'm very positive we can accomplish our goals.
Read More
Delta baseball defeats Yorktown in extra innings to become Delaware County champions
By Zach Carter / 6 days agoThe Eagles defeated the Tigers 5-2 in extra innings to win the Delaware County baseball tournament. It's the first time Delta has won the event since 2017.
'I'm grateful and proud:' No. 6 Ball State falls to No. 1 Miami in MAC Championship title game
By Zach Carter / 6 days agoThe No. 6 Cardinals fell to the No. 1 Redhawks 8-0 in the MAC title game. It's the farthest the Cardinals have advanced in the tournament since 2015.
'Building into something great:' Ball State softball advances to the MAC title game for the first time since 2015
By Zach Carter / May 10, 2024No. 6 Ball State defeated No. 5 Central Michigan, No. 4 Toledo and No. 2 Ohio Friday to advance to the title game of the Mid-American Conference Championship. The Cardinals will face the No. 1 Miami Redhawks. If Ball State was to win, a second game will need to be played due to the Redhawks undefeated tournament record.
