Natasha Basma Overcomes Deafness to Find Success on Tennis Court

Dec. 16, 2010

Boca Raton, FL - Competitive athletes are known for their ability to filter out crowd noise, egotistical opponents and weather distractions to concentrate on the strategies to win their matches. But for Natasha Basma, this is not a concern, but rather a challenge as a partially deaf women's tennis player at Florida Atlantic University.

The Boca Raton native has overcome this physical disability to be one of the top FAU singles' players in her second college season. She posted 10 victories last season, including winning five of six matches at No. 3 singles.

Basma is the only deaf women's tennis player among all NCAA Division I colleges and universities, and one of only three among all colleges and university divisions for the 2010-11 athletic season, according to deafdigest.com.

Doctors say that Basma was most likely born with severe to profound hearing loss, but it wasn't discovered until she was 2 years old through hearing tests. Regardless of the condition, Basma has excelled in athletics and academics throughout her life. She performed in ballets, as well as played basketball, volleyball and swimming before turning to tennis.

"I have never seen my hearing loss as a handicap since the moment I began wearing hearing aids when I was 2 years old. It wasn't something that kept me from doing anything in my life," said Basma. "Unfortunately, many people today think of having hearing loss as a disability. I think of it like not being able to see well. They have glasses for that kind of disability. In my case, I wear hearing aids for my hearing loss.

"I was attracted to tennis because it is an individual sport that I enjoyed. I found a lot of pleasure doing something that I really love," she said. "I wanted a sport to make me feel good about myself and to prove my abilities."

Basma emerged as a major contributor during her freshman year, winning six of her final 10 matches. She posted a four-match winning streak during the middle of the season and played an instrumental role in FAU picking up Sun Belt Conference victories over the University of Louisiana-Lafayette and Middle Tennessee State University. She spent most of the season at No. 3 singles, but also played matches at No. 2, No. 4, No. 5 and No. 6, and doubles.

Being deaf has presented several challenges for Basma on the tennis court. She can't hear an opponent make a call that determines whether a serve or volley hits outside the court limits. She also can't hear the sweet sound of the ball hitting her racket, a string snapping on her racket or the ball tipping on the top of the net.

"Hearing loss will not prevent anyone from being a top player if you have the will and perseverance to succeed. My advice: don't let any obstacles or people take you down," she said. "There are going to be many challenges throughout college that you need to overcome. If you pass that stage of your life, you feel like you can do anything."

Marcy Hora-Cava, FAU head women's tennis coach, said she notices that Basma isn't afraid to make her presence felt on the court, shouting words of encouragement to her teammates during matches.

"It is not a challenge coaching a deaf student-athlete like Natasha but an adjustment with more non-verbal communication," said Hora-Cava. "Natasha yells a lot at her teammates for support. Her teammates treat her no differently. Her doubles partner will make more contact with her in setting up a game plan prior to the point."

Hora-Cava has had to develop new techniques when communicating with Basma in practices or matches.

"I may communicate with some of the other girls on the team with a fist pump after a good game or shot and they feed off of that energy," Hora-Cava said. "Unless Natasha looks right at me after the point, I cannot give those same pointers to her during a match because she just won't hear it."

Basma said that she likes that her teammates don't give her any special treatment. If she misses a practice instruction from Hora-Cava, her teammates will pass along what's required for a special-training technique.

"My teammates help me when I need it and I enjoy being with them," Basma said. After being a standout in Boca Raton, playing in several international tournaments and earning a career-high 39th ranking among Florida amateur players, Basma decided to play collegiately at her hometown university. It allowed her parents, originally from Beirut, Lebanon, to continue to follow her performances in local matches.

"I love the fact that they support the team and watch me play. It is something that I do not take for granted," said Basma. "A lot of international players wish that they could have some family members watching them. I appreciate every time that my parents come to see me and the team play."

Hora-Cava acknowledged the important role family has played for Basma's personal and athletic success at FAU.

"Her family is her backbone," the coach said. "I have sat next to them during a match and tried to give Natasha encouragement. Later in the match, she can just look at her mom and it is almost like they are talking through the emotions of their eyes. It is amazing to see how they communicate without saying a word."

Off the court, Basma also excels in the classroom with a 3.4 grade point average as a biology major with a career goal of becoming a dermatologist.

"I am very interested in beauty and cosmetics so I find that field of medicine of interest and enjoyable to me," she said. "Although looks are not important, it makes a difference with a person's inner confidence."

FAU begins the 2011 spring dual meet season on January 21 against nationally ranked University of Miami in Coral Gables, Fla. The first home match will be against Florida Gulf Coast University on February 12 in Boca Raton.

- Written by Dale Long, Assistant Athletic Media Relations

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