Esben Hess-Olesen
| School: |
North Carolina |
| Year: |
Junior |
| Home Town: |
Viby |
| Home State: |
|
| Home Country: |
Denmark |
| High School: |
Marselisborg Gymnasium |
| Height: |
6-3 |
| Weight: |
175 lbs. |
| Birth Date: |
|
| Dominant Hand: |
Right |
| Major: |
|
| Singles Record: |
7-6 |
| Doubles Record: |
8-8 |
General: Ranked 18th in the spring 2012 ITA singles rankings ... ranked 44th in preseason doubles with partner Nelson Vick.
Fall 2012: Named to Dean's List in fall semester 2012 ... won the ITA Carolinas Regional singles championship to advance to National Indoor Championships in New York City ... was the first Tar Heel to win the regional since Clay Donato in 2009 ... was the #9 seed in the regional but defeated second-seeded Chris Mengel of Duke 7-6, 6-2 in the semifinals and then downed Cameron Silverman of Elon 6-2, 7-5 in the title match ... went 11-4 in singles and 5-3 in doubles ... won three singles matches in the qualifying phase of the ITA All-American Championships to reach the main draw ... went 3-1 at the UVA Ranked +1 Invitational
Freshman Season (2011-12) Recap: Played primarily at the #3 singles spot in the lineup ... was 14-9 overall in singles matches, including 11-8 in dual matches ... was 13-12 overall in doubles play ... 2012 All-ACC Academic Men's Tennis Team selection ... was the ACC Player of the Week for January 23-29, 2012 ... won at #3 singles in 5-2 road win over Tulsa ... notched the clinching win in Carolina's 5-2 victory over NC State ... in a 4-3 win over Virginia Tech, he even the match at 3-3 with a 2-6, 6-4, 6-2 win over Patrick Daciek ... also garnered a singles win in 4-3 triumph over Georgia Tech ... in the ACC Tournament quarterfinal win over Wake Forest, he clinched the doubles point at #3 with Zach Hunter ... defeated 115th-ranked Torsten Wietoska of Duke in the ACC Tournament semifinals ... excelled in the NCAA Tournament second round against Tennessee ... clinched the doubles point for Carolina with a win at #3 with Zach Hunter ... then defeated Brandon Fickey 6-3, 6-1 in singles play to give the Tar Heels a 2-0 lead in an eventual 4-0 win ... named to 2011-12 ACC Academic Honor Roll
Prep Highlights: A native of Viby, Denmark, Hess-Olesen was ranked as high as No. 1 for both singles and doubles in Denmark ... finalist in Danish Junior Championships for singles and three-time champion in doubles playing alongside twin brother, Soren ... won the ITF doubles title in Oslo and holds multiple singles victories over top 100 ITF players, including a Wimbledon doubles champion.
General: Parents are Bodil and Erik Hess-Olesen ... identical twin brother, Soren, plays for the University of Texas ... economics major ... also has an older brother who plays tennis and travels around the world working for the WTA and ATP.
Off Court with Esben
The best things about being a Tar Heel tennis player are: representing the NC on the chest and the opportunity to develop every day.
My favorite thing about playing for Coach Paul is: his passion about the sport.
Since last year, the aspects of my game I've worked on the most are: my mentality and understanding how to execute my game plan.
My best friends on a college tennis team are: Andreas Bjerrehus at Virginia Tech, Nils Skajaa at the University of San Francisco, Mads Engsted at the University of California and ,of course, my twin brother, Søren, at the University of Texas.
My greatest strengths as a tennis player are: my speed, fighting spirit and being an all-around player.
Favorite song on my iPod: See You Soon by Coldplay.
My best sport or athletic skill other than tennis: is soccer.
My favorite music act is: Coldplay.
The player on the team who makes me laugh the most is: Stuart DePaolo.
My teammates would be surprised to know one of my hobbies is: Fifa. The only reason I don't play all the time is because it's no fun for me. Too Easy.
Favorite post-match meal: shrimp scampi!!
Beverage that quenches my thirst: Sweet Tea.
Favorite Chapel Hill place to eat: Med Deli.
Favorite food made by a relative: filet of plaice with potatoes and parsley sauce made by my mom.
Dream job: Manager for Manchester United.
Celebrity I'd most like to hang out with: Borat.
Most cherished possession as a kid: all my soccer jerseys.
