With a lot of new faces and a couple players returning for the 2016 season, we will publish a Q&A leading up to home matches for fans to get a chance to meet players on the Elon University men's tennis squad. This week we feature our first freshman, Mario Paccini.

Mario's File
Full Name: Mario Paccini
Birthdate: April 18, 1997
Hometown: Madrid, Spain
Class: Freshman
 
What has it been like in your first season playing college tennis?
It has been such a good experience and really fun.
 
Favorite moment thus far from the season?
Definitely our match against VCU earlier this season. We ended up winning the match 4-3 at home.
 
What has it been like playing doubles with a senior like Rob Lindgren?
I love played doubles with Rob and it's been fun. I will miss him next year and I am sure the whole team will miss him too. He's been great for all of us. 

Tell us one thing that most people outside of your family/close friends don't know about you.
I have two tattoos. 

You are from Madrid, Spain. If someone was going to visit Madrid, what would you recommend them to visit?
Definitely visit La fuente de Cibeles. It's where Real Madrid celebrates their titles. 

Who is your "celebrity crush?"
Ana Ivanovic

If you could have dinner with any three individuals, (personalities, historical figures, fictitious characters, etc.) who would it be and why?
Christiano Ronaldo: Definitely because he is the best soccer player in the world.
Rodger Federer: Because he is the best tennis player ever!
Sergio Ramos: He scored a goal for Real Madrid that led the team to a championship final.

If you were a superhero, what would your superpower be?
Definitely invisibility! 

If you were an animal, what animal would you be? Why?
For sure a Wolf. A wolf protects his wolf pack. 

What are your ultimate goals for this season?
We definitely want to achieve the ultimate goal, which is to win the conference. 

"Lightning Round" bonus questions...
Favorite food: Chocolate
Instagram or Snapchat: Snapchat
Favorite Team: Real Madrid
Sergio Ramos or Gerard Piqué: Sergio Ramos for sure. Gerard Piqué should learn from him.
Favorite TV show: Modern Family
Sour Patch Kids or Kit Kats: Sour Patch Kids
Favorite musician/group: Mac Miller
Beach or Mountains: Beach
Favorite athlete/sports figure: Roger Federer 

Stay tuned as we continue these series throughout the weeks heading into the conference tournament. Elon is proud to be hosting this year's CAA Conference Tennis Championships April 21-24.

The Elon University men's tennis team returns to the courts on Sunday, April 3, when it squares off against No. 62-ranked William & Mary. First serve is scheduled for 1 p.m. at the Jimmy Powell Tennis Center.