Oklahoma State University Athletics
More Than a Match: An Australian’s Path to Cowboy Tennis
February 24, 2026 | Cowboy Tennis
Long before he ever stepped onto the campus of Oklahoma State and the courts of the Greenwood Tennis Center, Thomas Gadecki was a 4-year-old kid watching from the sidelines at his local club in Australia finding his passion for tennis.
"Well, at a young age, I was around, like four years old, watching my brothers and sister play at our local club," Gadecki said. "So, any chance I could pick up a racquet and play, I would take that chance."
What began as tagging along with his siblings quickly became something more. Watching them compete sparked a competitive fire and a love for the sport that would carry him across the world.
"It just kind of grew the love of playing tennis through watching them compete, and kind of bringing me along the journey with them," he said.
That journey has led Gadecki to Stillwater, playing for the orange and black with the same kind of fire and love.
Behind Gadecki's rise is a family that sacrificed and supported him every step of the way.
"I would say for sure my mom, my sister, but also my brothers," he said when asked about the biggest influences on his career. "Mom sacrificed countless hours trying to make sure I'm getting training and getting to tournaments throughout Australia."
His sister was someone he could always look up to and his brothers provided constant support. Together, they built the foundation that shaped both the player and the person he is today.
Competing in the Big 12 has elevated his game even further.
"Competition is tough," Gadecki said. "We are playing some really good schools."
The margins, he said, are razor thin.
"A lot of talented players, so I feel like everyone can play," he said. "We just kind of control what we can control. We try to do everything we can in practice to make sure we are handling our business because everyone can play. The margin is very small, so we've got to be on top of our game."
The conference has forced him to sharpen not just his strokes, but his discipline and mental toughness. Every point matters. Every detail counts.
That mindset carriers into his pre-match routine.
"I just kind of have a clear idea of how I play and execute," Gadecki said. "Obviously, try and win for the boys, but kind of separate myself and do it for them, and play for more than myself."
For Gadecki, competition is no longer just individual. It's collective.
"You're playing for the guy to the right and the left of you," he said.
Gadecki mentioned that team-first mentality is what makes college tennis special.
"It is just way more fun," he said. "The camaraderie of boys who obviously want to achieve the same goal. It is boys who love to hang out and want to spend time off the court."
Unlike individual tournaments, college tennis brings an added layer of energy. Teammates feed of one another's momentum.
"When you are struggling a bit, you can feed off them, and they can feed off you," he said. "It helps a lot with momentum."
Looking back on his first year in Stillwater, he doesn't hesitate.
"It has been amazing," he said. "I have enjoyed every moment. Being able to train and compete at the facilities we have here is amazing. I am just grateful to be here."
He credits the coaching staff, particularly head coach Dustin Taylor and assistant coach Max Stewart, for pushing him to grow.
"DT and Max (Stewart) have been unreal," Gadecki said. "I have so much trust in those guys. They've shaped me and have better visions for me. Every day, they push me to strive to my best potential."
In addition to competing, Gadecki has gained a unique perspective on the sport through hybrid coaching experiences at Princeton and Yale.
"It was definitely a unique experience, not something you get to do every day," he said. "You get to see the game from an outside point of view. It helped me understand what it looks like, especially in doubles. Strategy and what you see, what the opponent's doing well that they might not spot."
Gadecki's long-term goal is clear.
"I will try to play professionally, obviously," he said. "My plan is to play for four years, unless I am doing really well prior, but just take advantage of the opportunity in college and all the advantages that come with it."
If he could offer advice to his younger self, it wouldn't be about forehands or footwork.
"Appreciate the small things in life," he said. "I feel like we get so wrapped up looking into the future. Just being present and increasing that enjoyment, because everything goes by so quickly."
For Gadecki, wearing the Oklahoma State uniform represents more than wins and losses.
"It is a massive privilege," he said. "I am so glad and happy to be here. I couldn't think of anywhere else to be."
"Well, at a young age, I was around, like four years old, watching my brothers and sister play at our local club," Gadecki said. "So, any chance I could pick up a racquet and play, I would take that chance."
What began as tagging along with his siblings quickly became something more. Watching them compete sparked a competitive fire and a love for the sport that would carry him across the world.
"It just kind of grew the love of playing tennis through watching them compete, and kind of bringing me along the journey with them," he said.
That journey has led Gadecki to Stillwater, playing for the orange and black with the same kind of fire and love.
Behind Gadecki's rise is a family that sacrificed and supported him every step of the way.
"I would say for sure my mom, my sister, but also my brothers," he said when asked about the biggest influences on his career. "Mom sacrificed countless hours trying to make sure I'm getting training and getting to tournaments throughout Australia."
His sister was someone he could always look up to and his brothers provided constant support. Together, they built the foundation that shaped both the player and the person he is today.
Competing in the Big 12 has elevated his game even further.
"Competition is tough," Gadecki said. "We are playing some really good schools."
The margins, he said, are razor thin.
"A lot of talented players, so I feel like everyone can play," he said. "We just kind of control what we can control. We try to do everything we can in practice to make sure we are handling our business because everyone can play. The margin is very small, so we've got to be on top of our game."
The conference has forced him to sharpen not just his strokes, but his discipline and mental toughness. Every point matters. Every detail counts.
That mindset carriers into his pre-match routine.
"I just kind of have a clear idea of how I play and execute," Gadecki said. "Obviously, try and win for the boys, but kind of separate myself and do it for them, and play for more than myself."
For Gadecki, competition is no longer just individual. It's collective.
"You're playing for the guy to the right and the left of you," he said.
Gadecki mentioned that team-first mentality is what makes college tennis special.
"It is just way more fun," he said. "The camaraderie of boys who obviously want to achieve the same goal. It is boys who love to hang out and want to spend time off the court."
Unlike individual tournaments, college tennis brings an added layer of energy. Teammates feed of one another's momentum.
"When you are struggling a bit, you can feed off them, and they can feed off you," he said. "It helps a lot with momentum."
Looking back on his first year in Stillwater, he doesn't hesitate.
"It has been amazing," he said. "I have enjoyed every moment. Being able to train and compete at the facilities we have here is amazing. I am just grateful to be here."
He credits the coaching staff, particularly head coach Dustin Taylor and assistant coach Max Stewart, for pushing him to grow.
"DT and Max (Stewart) have been unreal," Gadecki said. "I have so much trust in those guys. They've shaped me and have better visions for me. Every day, they push me to strive to my best potential."
In addition to competing, Gadecki has gained a unique perspective on the sport through hybrid coaching experiences at Princeton and Yale.
"It was definitely a unique experience, not something you get to do every day," he said. "You get to see the game from an outside point of view. It helped me understand what it looks like, especially in doubles. Strategy and what you see, what the opponent's doing well that they might not spot."
Gadecki's long-term goal is clear.
"I will try to play professionally, obviously," he said. "My plan is to play for four years, unless I am doing really well prior, but just take advantage of the opportunity in college and all the advantages that come with it."
If he could offer advice to his younger self, it wouldn't be about forehands or footwork.
"Appreciate the small things in life," he said. "I feel like we get so wrapped up looking into the future. Just being present and increasing that enjoyment, because everything goes by so quickly."
For Gadecki, wearing the Oklahoma State uniform represents more than wins and losses.
"It is a massive privilege," he said. "I am so glad and happy to be here. I couldn't think of anywhere else to be."
Players Mentioned
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