Over 5,400 miles away from Austin and approximately 224 miles east of the Baltic Sea, a 4-year-old boy swings a racket too big for him over a net too high. But it doesn’t matter, because the kid holds big dreams in his right forehand, and the journey has just begun.
Oliver Ojakäär, who began on the quiet courts of Tartu, Estonia, fell in love with tennis in his own way. Chasing the wins, thriving in pressure and digging adrenaline, the 6-foot 3-inch freshman has dominated on Estonian courts, Texas courts and pretty much everywhere in between.
Growing up, he spent most of his time playing in Estonia while traveling internationally for the junior circuit, striving to compete with the best Estonians in the world.
“I’ve never looked at big stars and (thought) about playing like them,” Ojakäär said. “I’ve always thought more about the people I know and people I have contact with. I’ve always wanted to be the best in Estonia. … So it’s always kind of trying to catch up with the older guys and trying to be better than them.”
After having success in the juniors, reaching a career-high juniors ranking of No.10 and taking home a U.S. Open juniors doubles gold in 2023, Ojakäär was ready to make the professional step forward.
But his body didn’t agree. Constantly battling injuries while also wanting a higher education, Ojakäär decided Texas was the next step.
“Definitely the team we have here (influenced my decision),” Ojakäär said. “The coaches, when I was talking to them by phone, when I didn’t know them yet, definitely gave a huge bonus to come here. And all the facilities and the possibilities are just over the roof.”
Ojakäär hasn’t forgotten the young kid he once was, and still finds himself thinking about the people and places who shaped him into who he is today.
“(The biggest adjustments were) definitely giving up my coaches, my trainers, all my friends are in Estonia so I won’t be seeing them too much,” Ojakäär said. “It’s a new environment, everything’s new, you need to adapt to all the new people, new culture, new living space.”
That’s not to say that Ojakäär has not appreciated the newfound aspects that playing collegiate tennis brings. In a sport that’s generally isolated, having teammates has been a game-changer — both on and off the court.
“It can get really depressing in tennis,” Ojakäär said. “Especially because you kind of just always practice alone … but here the team is awesome. Everybody is super sweet, super nice, supportive, and just practicing with the team, working out with the team, chilling with the team in our free time. It’s just amazing.”
While Ojakäär has embraced the team, his teammates have been equally appreciative of the level of skill he brings to the court.
“He’s a big ball striker, with a lot of energy, so (I) love him as a tennis player,” Ojakäär’s doubles partner Pierre-Yves Bailly said. “As a teammate, he’s a funny guy. He fits in well so it’s so nice having him on the team.”
With his sights set firmly on the future, Ojakäär’s journey is far from over. After starting the season with an undefeated 8–0 singles record, the boy within him has not stopped dreaming big. When asked what his goals were for the 2025 tennis season, Ojakäär kept it brief:
“Win the natty,” he said.
