SERVING MORE THAN ACES

By: Oskar Brostrom Poulsen

Champions' TriBUne is a special feature through Baylor Athletics that gives you the student-athlete's perspective and the chance for them to share their own story. Oskar Brostrom Poulsen, a senior team captain from Helsingor, Denmark, earned first-team All-Big 12 honors in doubles with Marko Miladinovic in his final season with the Bears. That duo won the2024 ITA National Summer Championships, were finalists at the ITA All-American Championships in the fall and played No. 1 doubles all year. An NCAA Championship qualifier in singles as well, Oskar will graduate this summer with a business management degree. He transferred from Middle Tennessee, where he spent his first two years of college and twice earned first-team all-conference honors:

The number of papers I've written during my time at Baylor and college in general is countless, and most of them have one thing in common: They were all very easy – at least compared to this one. The moment I opened this document and started taking a trip down memory lane, I realized how hard it is to put this journey into words. Writing this Champion's TriBUne is tough, not because I don't have something to say, but because it marks the end. After this, my time at Baylor is pretty much over – and no matter how hard I try to keep up the façade, that's a difficult truth to face.

Family

My parents, Sascha and Thomas, are two figures in my life that I would never be able to fully thank for everything they've done for me. Their love, sacrifice and constant support have shaped me into the person I am today and the man I aspire to be in the future. Values they have taught me that come straight to my head are that kindness and humility are greater than any trophy. They showed me that true strength is found in how you treat others, staying grounded in success and gracious in failure. A line my mom used to tell me that I didn't know I needed until later in life was "It nice to be important, but it's more important to be nice."

Sports have been a part of my everyday life since I was a little kid back in Denmark. While tennis wasn't the first sport I picked up, it was the first one I truly fell in love with. I grew up in a family where everyone played handball, so as the firstborn, it seemed like that would be my path, too. For a while, it looked like handball was going to be it, but then one summer day, my grandfather introduced me to tennis. That's when the journey began, and it's been full speed ahead ever since. I'm not going to pretend there wasn't a little disappointment from my parents at first when I chose not to follow the family tradition. But they've been nothing but supportive of my tennis dream. Through thick and thin, they've always had my back. Even when my confidence took some hits, they stayed strong and positive. My younger brother, August – he's five years younger than me – picked up tennis much faster than I did, probably thanks to all the tournaments and practices he was dragged to growing up. As we got older and both developed serious passions for tennis, it wasn't always easy for my parents to divide their focus. But never once did they pick sides or show favoritism.

They taught me the value of showing up every single day. Whether it was school, practice or simply being present for family, they led by example with their discipline and humility. And it's something I try to carry with me in everything I do. Their presence and support never wavered, and that's something I admire deeply. One day, if I get the chance to be a parent, I hope to handle that role as gracefully as they did. Without everything my parents have done and still do, I wouldn't have made it half as far. For that, I owe them an enormous thank you.

I doubt August knows this, but he plays one of the biggest roles in my life. As an older brother, I know he looks up to me, whether I do things right or wrong. As I've gotten older, I've realized how important it is that he has someone to guide him as he finds his way in life. That's why it's so important to me to carry myself in a way that he can learn from on and off the court.

"The only thing that makes me a little sad is that I "only" got two years at this incredible place." - Oskar Brostrom Poulsen

Road to Baylor

Midway through my teenage years, I realized that playing college tennis in America was an opportunity, and it quickly became one of my biggest goals. As I got closer to college age and my final year of junior (U18) tennis, COVID-19 hit. That year was a major setback, as I couldn't travel or compete in tournaments to build the results I needed to attract the attention of the schools I had dreamed of. After a tough year with very little competition, I ended up going to Middle Tennessee State University. Looking back now, maybe it was a blessing in disguise. After my sophomore year, I entered the transfer portal, hoping to find a school where I could take my tennis to new heights. I still remember it like it was yesterday, entering the transfer portal and receiving a message from Baylor head coach Michael Woodson. My time in the portal was hectic and stressful, with a lot of pressure from different schools and coaches. But through it all, Coach Woodson stood out. He kept emphasizing that he understood it was a big decision for me, and that all he wanted was to get to know me and make sure I understood what Baylor stood for. He made it clear there was no rush. From that moment, I knew he was the coach of a very special program—and I knew I had to be a part of it. Not a single day has passed where I've regretted my decision to come to Baylor. The only thing that makes me a little sad is that I "only" got two years at this incredible place. But even then, I know how lucky I am, because most people don't get any.

"People say pressure is a privilege, and I never truly understood that until I became part of this program." - Oskar Brostrom Poulsen

Baylor

Starting a new chapter in unfamiliar surroundings is always nerve-racking, but also exciting. I felt every emotion possible when I left for Baylor. I arrived two weeks before school started to play a tournament at our home facility. When I got there, I was given some Baylor gear and told I could wear it for the tournament, but I had to remember that if I did, I wouldn't just be representing myself anymore. I'd be representing the team, the coaches, the program and the university. That comment really stuck with me. I've always cared about how I present myself, but now it had a whole new meaning, and I was determined to show excellence.

People say pressure is a privilege, and I never truly understood that until I became part of this program. Being a Baylor Bear means living up to a high standard. With that comes pressure and expectations, and while that can be intimidating, I quickly realized that's exactly where I wanted to be.

From day one, I clicked with the guys on the team. That helped ease the stress of being in a new place. We all came from different backgrounds, but one thing was immediately clear, the support and the brotherhood were real. Being surrounded by 11 guys who welcomed me right away made it easy to be myself and focus on what I came here to do: get better, compete hard and grow both on and off the court. It didn't take long before I found myself in the middle of locker room jokes, intense practices and late-night team talks. That just confirmed what I already knew, Baylor was the right choice.

As good as my first year was, we didn't quite get the results we wanted as a team. After the season ended, the coaches and I made a plan that would give me the best chance at success for my final year. Baylor was going to host Regionals and NCAA Individuals in the fall, along with ITA Indoor Nationals, Big 12s and the Elite 8 in the spring. With so much tennis at home, we agreed I'd return to Denmark for a month, then come back mid-June for an intense summer training block. At first, I didn't love the plan, but deep down I knew it would pay off. Two months away from home would be tough, but two teammates stayed with me and we grinded out an awesome block of practice. My family even visited for two weeks, which made it feel a little like a vacation in the middle of all the hard work.

"At Baylor, I found a group of guys who became so much more than teammates." - Oskar Brostrom Poulsen

Just one week before the fall semester started, I received a phone call from home that flipped my world upside down—my grandfather had passed. If you know me, you know I'm almost always smiling and full of energy. But this hit me hard. He wasn't just family; he was my best friend and the reason I fell in love with tennis. I didn't want to be the center of attention, so I told the coaches but asked them not to share it with the team. A few days later, one of them pulled me aside and told me something I'll never forget: "A true leader shows vulnerability to his peers. That's what gives them the strength to do the same." It was hard, but I opened up to the team. I told them what had happened and why I hadn't been myself—and instantly, 11 brothers were there for me. I'll always be grateful for that.

After a rough start to the fall, I had an up-and-down season. I made the finals of the All-American tournament in doubles, which earned us a spot at NCAA Individuals at home, but I couldn't get much going in singles. I barely made it into Sectionals, my last chance to qualify for NCAA singles. That's when everything started clicking. The work from the summer, the resilience, the mindset, I beat three ranked players and earned my place. Now, I had the chance to play the biggest tournament at home in both singles and doubles, which was the main goal all along.

Unfortunately, I lost a tough three-setter in the first round of singles. In doubles, we played probably the hardest match of my career, against my old teammate and former coach from Middle Tennessee. I'll remember that night for the rest of my life. Every one of my teammates was in the stands, supporting us all the way through to a 10–8 win in the third-set breaker. We came up short in the second round, losing another tight three-set match, but I finished the fall with confidence and excitement for the spring season.

"That jersey wasn't just a piece of clothing, it was a symbol of the sacrifice, the trust and the bond we all shared." - Oskar Brostrom Poulsen

The power of brotherhood

Brotherhood isn't just a word we throw around in the locker room, it's the backbone of everything we do. At Baylor, I found a group of guys who became so much more than teammates. We pushed each other every day, whether it was in early-morning lifts, intense practices or long road trips. We held each other accountable, but we also laughed until our stomachs hurt, lifted each other up when one of us was down, and celebrated the small and big wins like family. Every time I put on the Baylor uniform, it reminded me that I was representing more than just myself, I was carrying the name of a team, a legacy and 11 brothers who trusted me to give everything I had. That jersey wasn't just a piece of clothing, it was a symbol of the sacrifice, the trust and the bond we all shared. Wearing it was one of the greatest honors.

When I lost my grandfather, I tried to carry that weight alone. But it was my brothers on this team who reminded me that I didn't have to. Their support during that time showed me the true meaning of unity. It wasn't about tennis anymore, it was about being there for each other as people, not just athletes. That bond doesn't disappear when the season ends or when graduation comes. It's something I'll carry with me for life. These are the guys who have seen me at my best and my worst and still stood by me. And that kind of brotherhood, that kind of love and loyalty, is something rare and something I'll always be grateful for.

"I'm walking away with memories I'll carry forever, lessons I'll never forget and relationships that mean the world to me." - Oskar Brostrom Poulsen

Closure

As I prepare to close this chapter, I realize that my time at Baylor has been so much more than just college tennis, it's been a life-shaping experience. I've grown as a player, as a teammate, and most importantly, as a person. From the early nerves of arriving in Waco, to the highs of competition and the lows of personal loss, every moment has shaped who I am today. I'm walking away with memories I'll carry forever, lessons I'll never forget and relationships that mean the world to me.

Baylor gave me the opportunity to chase my dream, but it also gave me a second home. The culture, the people, the support, everything here has pushed me to be better and believe in more than just wins and losses. I've learned what it means to lead, to be vulnerable, to fight for something bigger than myself. I've learned how to hold myself to a standard, not just in tennis, but in character.

To my coaches, thank you for seeing something in me and helping me become the man I am today. To my teammates, my brothers, you've been my daily motivation, my joy and my family. And to everyone behind the scenes who has supported me along the way, your impact is felt in more ways than you know.

This is not a goodbye, it's a see you later!!

SERVING MORE THAN ACES

Players Mentioned

Oskar Brostrom Poulsen

Marko Miladinovic

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SERVING MORE THAN ACES

Players Mentioned

Oskar Brostrom Poulsen

Marko Miladinovic

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