“Being the only Azerbaijani athlete competing in Germany’s tennis Bundesliga is an indescribable source of pride for me.”
Idman.biz reports that Sofiya Afandieva, a tennis player of Azerbaijani origin who plays for Germany’s "Rot-Weiss" tennis club, shared this in an interview with Oxu.az.
She talked about the leagues she competes in Germany, proudly representing Azerbaijan everywhere, and her future career plans.
Sofiya, how has growing up in Germany since childhood influenced your sports career and personal development?
I have lived in Germany since I was a child. My parents moved here when I was 2 years old. I started tennis lessons at age 3. Germany is my second homeland; I took my first tennis steps and achieved my first sports successes here. Unfortunately, Germany doesn’t have specialized sports schools for elite tennis, so most expenses fell on my family. I balanced training with school lessons. Every day after school, I would go to the tennis courts and practice with coaches for hours. Now, having graduated school and received my tennis license, I work as a coach and train daily with my sparring partners and coaches preparing for a new season in the German Bundesliga. It is a great honor for me to play for my hometown club Potsdam, with whom I have climbed from the lower leagues to the second Bundesliga, as this is where I took my first steps in professional tennis.
Moving from the regional league to the Bundesliga is a big achievement. What were the hardest and most memorable moments on this path?
Playing in one team from the regional league to the Bundesliga involves daily hours of tennis and fitness training. Various teams from different German cities and regions compete in these leagues. Achieving success as a team takes a lot of effort. The most memorable moment was becoming the champion of the Eastern League on our second attempt, which gave us the right to compete in the second Bundesliga starting in the 2025 season.
How would you rate the tennis and sports infrastructure in Germany? Can you compare it with Azerbaijan?
In Germany, in just Berlin alone, every district has two, sometimes three or four tennis clubs. The competition is very tough, but this raises the level of players. I can’t really compare tennis development in Germany and Azerbaijan since I have never trained in Azerbaijan. But the tennis infrastructure in Germany is at the highest level.
You are the only ethnic Azerbaijani athlete competing in Germany’s tennis Bundesliga. What does this fact mean to you? Who supports you?
Being the only Azerbaijani athlete competing in the German tennis Bundesliga is an indescribable source of pride for me because unlike many players from other countries, I am the only one representing my nation. My family supports me greatly and continues to do so in my sporting development.
Does being ethnically Azerbaijani affect your experience in German sports and society? Have you faced stereotypes or difficulties?
Being Azerbaijani has never negatively affected my tennis development. On the contrary, many people in the tennis world ask me questions about Azerbaijan and are interested in my historic homeland.
You have been a Berlin champion in various age categories. How did you achieve these results and why are they important for you?
Since childhood, I have participated in numerous tennis tournaments, including the Berlin championships. Each year the best tennis players from Berlin and surrounding areas compete there. Currently, I am the Berlin team champion playing for my Potsdam club. Winning the Berlin championship among girls multiple times is probably a combination of hard work and sports luck.
What experience and prospects did participation in International Tennis Federation (ITF) tournaments bring you?
Participating in ITF tournaments gave me valuable international experience, which later helped me in the Bundesliga, where teams often include players from various countries.
How did you get your professional B-category coaching license in Germany? What opportunities has it opened for you?
Having played tennis from childhood, I decided to dedicate myself to this sport and obtained a professional B-category coaching license, which allows me to work as a coach doing what I love.
What are your future plans, to continue competing as a player or work as a coach in Germany or Azerbaijan?
I am 23 years old and currently both work as a coach and actively compete in the Bundesliga. My focus is on preparing for the new season. Coaching in Azerbaijan? Why not! That would be an interesting and new sporting experience.
If offered, would you be willing to live and compete under the Azerbaijani flag?
It would be a great honor for me to compete for my national team, and I would gladly live and coach in Azerbaijan.
Do you feel more Azerbaijani or German?
I have never really felt German (smiles). I am Azerbaijani from my father’s side, and I have felt that since childhood.
What is the next major milestone in your career?
In my coaching career, the next big step is obtaining the A-category license, and as an athlete, to advance with my team to the first Bundesliga in Germany.
Is there a world-famous tennis player you look up to?
My tennis idol is the Spanish player Carlos Alcaraz; his playing style greatly inspires me.
Have you faced Azerbaijani tennis players in international tournaments?
Unfortunately, I have never met Azerbaijani tennis players in international tournaments.
Based on your experience in Germany, what advice would you give young Azerbaijani athletes?
My main advice to athletes from Azerbaijan is: If you want to develop and succeed, work harder and gain as much international experience as possible. Don’t be afraid to change countries or leagues; always strive for better, this will eventually raise you to a new level in sports.
What are the main differences between the sports environments in Germany and Azerbaijan?
In Germany, unlike Azerbaijan, competition is very intense! Looking at the teams in the second Bundesliga, you’ll see players from many different countries. Even in my hometown Potsdam team, there are athletes from Poland, Czech Republic, Germany, and Norway.
How have your family and close ones supported your sports career?
Throughout my entire sports life, my most loyal fans have been my father, mother, and brother.
Sofiya Afandieva was born on March 31, 2002, and has lived in Potsdam, Germany, since 2005. She has played tennis since the age of three. She has represented the "LTTC Rot-Weiss Berlin" and "Grun-Weiss Nikolassee" clubs and currently plays in the Bundesliga for "Rot-Weiss Potsdam."
Sofiya has won several Berlin championships in U-10, U-12, U-14, and U-16 categories and is also a multiple winner and finalist in A-category tournaments in Germany. Her club "Rot-Weiss" has won the Berlin women’s team championship three times in its 100+ year history, holding the title currently.
The "Rot-Weiss" team rose from the high tennis leagues to the Bundesliga within four years with Sofiya in the main lineup. She has a 5-2 win-loss record in seven matches, the best in the team, which includes players from Poland, Czech Republic, and Norway.
Sofiya is the only ethnic Azerbaijani competing in Germany’s second tennis Bundesliga and has shown worthy results. She has participated in many International Tennis Federation (ITF) tournaments and obtained her professional B-category coaching license last year after passing exams.
Idman.biz
