Noori Adam’s journey from Sudan’s dusty courts where his father worked at a local tennis club to the heart of INTENNSE presents the quintessential case study for the impact of the American college experience on the league. 
Tennis in his hometown wasn’t a prominent sport, but the rhythm of matches—long afternoons, crowds gathering to watch, and the excitement of each point—kindled a resolve in Noori that would carry him far. 

As a kid, Noori’s earliest matches were fueled by family and a community that rallied around him: “I started playing a lot of tournaments…you get to play a lot of different matches, a lot of different people, different levels, and eventually you get better”.

At just sixteen, he earned his first ATP point in a marathon battle against an Egyptian opponent.
But the odds of moving from home to the United States was daunting and the idea of going to college in the United States seemed far-fetched. But seeing former rivals—players he knew he could beat—landing scholarships overseas made him think differently about his path forward.

Though he started his university studies at home, the promise of bigger opportunities drove him to chase American college tennis. The process stretched over four years. 

Each rejection letter and sleepless night tested his resolve, but eventually, relief came: New Mexico Military Institute offered Noori a full scholarship—an invitation for a fresh start in a land where possibility seemed endless.

“It was a four year journey. So it was from 2011 until 2015, that's when I left. So it was just, it was rough, you know, like mentally to go through a lot through that phase…you have a lot of nights where you have a breakdown, like, oh shoot, what am I doing?”

Despite the hurdles, Noori never lost faith: “A lot of times when you want something so bad, no matter how tough it is, you’re going to eventually achieve that. As long as you're patient with it, you’re putting in the work, you're doing your part, and then you just let the rest…God take care of it”.

The breakthrough came in an unexpected email: “Congratulations, the guy’s not coming. So I’ll offer you a full scholarship, a full ride. And it was just like, it was so crazy at the time. I cannot explain how happy I was because it was like four years of going through a lot from sending out emails, taking the SATs, not knowing when it’s, you know, what's going to happen”. That day, Noori left for Roswell, New Mexico and later transferred to Florida A&M.

Noori thrived. “It was a great experience, playing college tennis. I remember it was amazing. You do stuff together. If the team wins, everybody’s celebrating. If the team loses, at least you got somebody there. It’s not like whenever you’re out on tour, you’re on your own. I’d definitely love to do that again if I get the chance”.

For Noori, INTENNSE felt like a natural next step—“One of the main reasons that got me into INTENNSE is the financial aspect of it, and the team aspect of it as well. You get to be part of a team”. 

INTENNSE’s team format matched Noori’s philosophy. “I prefer the team format. Always the team format, whether it’s college or whatever, it’s team format. You’re still playing individually, but it’s definitely the team format. There’s always somebody that got my back. And just having that gives a little bit more comfort and gives a little bit more push and like gives a little bit more confidence as well. I’m not just playing for myself”.

As INTENNSE expands from three to ten Atlanta-based teams and the 2026 Draft approaches, Noori stands among the most seasoned candidates—his name officially registered, though no one knows if or where he’ll be selected. His path illustrates the significance of collegiate athletes: “There’s a lot of solid players but they just don’t have the finance to move to the next level. They’re not fortunate enough to advance or get to where they want to be or where they need to be.” For INTENNSE’s future, the value of leaders like Noori—shaped by adversity, loyalty, and patience—cannot be overstated.

“It’s easy to give up, it’s hard to keep going but you gotta be disciplined enough and patient enough and you’re rewarded at the end of the day. Guaranteed. It’s just a matter of time. The hardest part is you don’t know how long it’s gonna take but eventually it’s gonna happen.” 

Noori Adam’s story illustrates how the heart of college tennis now beats powerfully at the center of INTENNSE.