Tennis

Last season, Kentucky ended on a high note, finishing ranked No. 5 in the country. They made an impressive run to the quarterfinals at the NCAA Tournament and reached the semifinals at ITA Indoor Nationals. The team also secured their second-ever SEC Tournament Championship and reached the No. 2 spot in the national rankings. Kentucky is eager to continue their success and build upon their achievements from last season.

The season kicks off with two consecutive doubleheaders at home. The first doubleheader will be against EKU and Lipscomb on January 20, followed by another doubleheader against MTSU and Kennesaw State on January 28. The team will then close out their homestand with a match against Austin Peay on February 1.

Louisville will kick off their season at home with two matches on January 17. They will first take on regional rivals Xavier in a highly anticipated showdown, followed by a crosstown matchup against Bellarmine.

“We are super excited about adding Diego to our staff here in Louisville,” said da Silva. “Not only has he been an excellent player on the court, but he’s done really well in his transition into coaching. He’s an exciting young coach who is going to bring a lot of energy and passion to the team.”

The season will start off with a bang as the Wildcats play three consecutive matches at the Hilary J. Boone Tennis Center. They will be hosting ETSU and Miami (Ohio) for a doubleheader on January 14, followed by a match against Penn State on January 20.

The Boone Tennis Center will once again host the ITA Kickoff Weekend, where Kentucky will face Alabama, Nebraska, and Notre Dame on January 26-27. The team that emerges victorious from this tournament will advance to the ITA Division I National Men’s Team Indoor Championships, to be held in February at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Queens, New York.

Head coach Rodrigo da Silva expressed his excitement about the new signing, stating, “We are super excited to add Enrique to our team this year. He has been playing and competing at the highest level, and he will bring a lot of experience to our roster.”

Part of Baadi’s success is attributed to his consistency, work ethic, and drive, which has impressed the coaching staff. Associate Head Coach Matthew Gordon remarked, “Taha is a special person who sets the standards with his consistency, work ethic, and drive. He has the ability to bring up others with him and has the mentality needed to be a great leader.”

Thomas Faurel hails from Scottsdale, Arizona, and attended Laurel Springs School. He boasts an impressive resume with a top ITF Junior ranking of No. 74. Faurel has clinched five singles and five doubles ITF Junior titles, showcasing his prowess in both categories. Additionally, he emerged victorious in the French Junior Championships in both singles and doubles. Faurel has also represented the French National Team and achieved a bronze medal at the U16 Team European Championships, along with a fourth-place finish in the Junior Davis Cup.

The Cardinals had a solid performance with a 12-10 record in singles matches and a 5-6 record in doubles matches. Each player on the team secured at least one win in both singles and doubles.