Costa, initially committed to Arizona State University, was drawn by the opportunity to play under a familiar coach he has known since he was a kid. However, once he arrived on campus, he quickly realized that the team's culture and dynamic did not align with his interests.
"The (ASU) team culture and dynamic is the most important part of the team and it wasn't suited to me," Costa expressed. "Culture eats strategy for breakfast...if the culture isn't there, then you're screwed, especially when the strategy breaks down."
After just one season, Costa entered the transfer portal and made the switch to Georgia. The decision wasn't just about tennis, it was about surrounding himself with a program that aligned with his values. His sister, Gaby Costa, saw an immediate difference in him.
"At Arizona State, people were more closed off and didn't have that 'Southern hospitality,'" she said. "At Georgia, Filipe will talk to every single person possible, and I've only seen that grow to be an even bigger part of his personality."
Now in his third full year at Georgia, Costa has embraced a leadership role as a team captain, helping build the close-knit environment he had once sought out. Davis Taylor, his teammate of two years, has seen Costa's influence firsthand.
"Filipe is always willing to do whatever it takes to help the team out. He encourages us to become the closest team possible," Taylor said. "He's always willing to coach someone up and never hesitates to give advice."
While the transfer portal gave Costa a fresh start, NIL has added another twist to his college experience. Like many athletes in low-revenue sports, Costa has mixed feelings about the impact of NIL on collegiate athletics.
"I'm not a huge fan of NIL. I think it's a net detriment to college sports," Costa expressed. "The whole thing is going to blow up."
Unlike other athletes who land six-figure deals from power sports like football and basketball, tennis players have to take a different approach. Costa turned to social media, leveraging his passion for coaching to create Costa Tennis Academy, where he produces content to teach players of all skill levels. His dedication to the brand paid off when he secured an NIL deal with Amazon, allowing him to expand his brand and reach a wider audience, as well as help Amazon generate marketing ideas and social media strategies.
"For a year straight, I would put out a video Tuesday, Friday, and Saturday. Didn't miss a day for the first year," Costa exclaimed. Costa found his passion in inspiring others. "I love being the inspiration for someone to have a lightbulb moment and develop a foundation for how the game of tennis works."
Gaby Costa recognized the magnitude of her brother's NIL achievement.
"When he got a deal with Amazon, that was the moment I was like, 'Oh, this is a real thing,'" Gaby exclaimed. "Filipe never puts half effort into anything. From day one, he researched ways to engage audiences, and people who put in the work get results."
Filipe Costa's path has also been shaped by adversity. After enduring three major knee surgeries, he was forced to reconsider his future in the sport. While he once dreamed of becoming a professional tennis player, his focus shifted towards leadership and coaching.
"After three major knee surgeries, the shift of my shirt changed from trying to be as incredible and professional a tennis player as possible to now what I think I have a stronger competency in, guiding the team in the best direction," Costa said.
Rather than stepping away from the game he loves, Costa found a new way to help people. His academy started with coaching players from his crutches or wheelchair after surgery, which comes to show his commitment to the sport and his ability to adapt during adversity.
"I think I'm a better coach than player," he admitted. "I have an inability to put down the racquet, so I started coaching and teaching people."
Between captaining Georgia's tennis team, running Costa Tennis Academy, becoming a brand ambassador for companies such as Yeti and Papa John's, and excelling academically as a double major, Costa embodies the modern student athlete. From navigating NIL deals, to dealing with the transfer portal early in his college career, as well as the personal setbacks he's faced, Costa's relentless determination separates him from other athletes.
"Just get as involved as possible," he advised. "Life will only get harder, and it's good to deal with a certain threshold of stress and busyness because you're going to get ahead.
For Costa, the transfer portal was an opportunity for him to find the right fit, and NIL became a tool to fuel his passion for coaching and inspiring. His journey serves as an example for any athletes looking to forge their own path into an ever changing landscape of collegiate athletics.
Riley Fox, Virginia Tech School of Communication
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