The 2024 season marks Ariana Arseneault's final few months as an Auburn Tiger and as a collegiate athlete. However, the two-time All-American is no stranger to tackling new experiences. Arseneault's decision to play college tennis was also a decision to move to a different country and immerse herself in a new culture.
"There aren't many international collegiate sports [in Canada]," Arseneault explained. "I didn't know much about Division I sports. Everything was new to me. I didn't know what the team environment was like, especially with tennis being an individual sport."
The Richmond Hill, Canada, native was not only new to the environment but also relatively new to the language.
"I speak English, Russian, and French. French is my first language," Arseneault said. "I didn't actually start learning English until my second year of high school."
Arseneault speaks Russian with her mom, French with her grandparents, English with her brothers and switches between French and English with her dad. This ability to adapt can be seen across many different areas of her life, including tennis. Auburn was not her first home in collegiate tennis, as she spent her freshman year at the University of Georgia before finding her home at Auburn.
"It was a decision for me to improve my tennis in the long run," she explained about her decision to transfer. "Coming to Auburn, they knew what my goals were and they were willing to help me get there."
This decision proved to be a great one, as Ariana's transition has served her well.
"I didn't really know anyone here, but it was a fast adjustment," She said about the transition process. "Auburn Athletics and everyone on campus have been so nice and welcoming and it's been a really nice journey, to say the least."
They say the people make the place, and that has certainly been true in Ariana's case. That's what will make it hard to leave. Arseneault describes the little moments with her teammates such as doing homework at a coffee shop, going to a nature preserve, or having team dinners as the most meaningful.
"It's going to be hard leaving my teammates," the Auburn senior said. "I love my teammates, I love how we all push each other on the court and we are so close off the court, too. I live with two of my teammates now, so there are mixed feelings, but I am ready to move on and accomplish the goals I have with tennis after college. I believe that I am ready and college has prepared me for that."
The two time All-SEC selection has spent her entire life immersed in the sport of tennis, and she does not plan to change that any time soon.
"After I graduate, I will probably move back to Canada," Arseneault said. "I'm planning to work with my coach back home right away. I already have a summer schedule set for tournaments and training. I'm excited for that."
The end goal is to become a professional tennis player, and most likely move back to the U.S.
"Expect me on tour and always playing tennis," Ariana laughed.
If she does ever stop playing herself, Arseneault aims to help other athletes as a physiotherapist.
"My major is exercise science," Arseneault explained. "I've had so many injuries throughout my life, and basically spent my whole tennis career in a physio room. It was always so fascinating. I was always asking so many questions to my physiotherapist, wanting to know what they were doing and what muscle they were on. I always want to stay around athletes and sports in general."
The Richmond Hill, Canada, native will also graduate with a sports coaching minor. Arseneault would make a great motivator, as it is the intrinsic motivation that has kept her succeeding on and off the court. She cites her consistent goal-setting and weekly reevaluation as the tools that keep her accountable and constantly improving.
Although highly involved with her sport, Arseneault's experiences off the court have shaped her as well. The 21-year-old has been to 21 different countries and has made many memories along the way, speaking one of the three languages she knows with people from all over the world.
"I have made a lot of friends and been to a lot of cool places, and that's definitely been a benefit of playing tennis because it is such an international sport," Arseneault explained. "I've definitely gotten a lot of exposure to different cultures."
As her time at Auburn comes to a close, Arseneault reflects on her memories here. She has many fond memories, but there is one that sticks out.
"My sophomore year with the team was my first time playing Georgia after transferring from there, knowing they never gave me the opportunity that Auburn did," Arseneault reflected. "Leading up to that moment was so motivational and exciting. I clinched the doubles point that day, won my singles that day, the team won that day and had not beaten Georgia in a really long time as a team. Celebrating as a team, having Senior Day dinner and having everyone together after that made it just the best day."
It's moments like those that Arseneault will take with her. It is a bittersweet time, but one she is well prepared for.
"I'm really fortunate for the time that I have spent all over the world and college in general," Arseneault said. "I think that I have learned a lot and I'm at the stage in my life where I'm ready to move on and go to the next chapter."