In a highly anticipated weekend of tennis action, the No. 16 Kentucky men’s tennis team will be hosting in-state rival Louisville and two-time defending national champion Virginia at the Hilary J. Boone Tennis Complex. The Battle of the Bluegrass between Kentucky and Louisville is scheduled to start at 5 p.m. ET on Friday, while the rematch of the 2022 NCAA Tournament final with Virginia will kick off at Noon ET on Sunday.
Kentucky is aiming to get back on track after a runner-up finish at the 2024 Lexington Weekend of the ITA Kickoff Weekend, where they fell to Alabama in the regional final. Leading the way for the Wildcats is sophomore Charlelie Cosnet, who remains undefeated in singles matches this season. The team also boasts a strong group of freshmen, including Jack Loutit, Matt Rankin, and Eli Stephenson, who have a combined 9-1 singles record.
On the other side, Louisville, a participant in the 2023 NCAA Round of 32, will be led by ranked players Etienne Donnet and Will Mayew. Donnet, ranked 16th nationally, has already earned All-ACC honors twice. Natan Rodrigues, an All-American from 2023, will also be a key player for the Cardinals.
Kentucky has never lost to Louisville since both programs became varsity, holding a perfect 28-0 series record since 1983. The two teams have played each other in the last three seasons, with the Wildcats claiming victory in the last meeting. Despite their historical success, Kentucky will not underestimate Louisville’s competitive spirit.
Virginia, the two-time defending national champion, will be a tough test for Kentucky. Ranked third in the nation, the Cavaliers have a formidable lineup with three ranked singles players. They will be coming to Lexington after a showdown with No. 1 Ohio State. The Wildcats will have to contend with players like Chris Rodesch, Jeffery von der Schulenburg, and Iñaki Montes de la Torre.
This will be the first meeting between Kentucky and a ranked opponent in 2024. The Wildcats recorded an impressive 13-5 record against nationally ranked teams in 2023. The Cavaliers, holding an 11-7 advantage in the all-time series, are a formidable opponent for Kentucky. The teams split their meetings last year, with Kentucky avenging their NCAA Championship loss with a regular season victory, but Virginia ultimately winning in the NCAA Quarterfinals.
For those unable to attend, both matches will be streamed live on TrackTennis and live stats will be available through StatBroadcast. Fans can stay updated with the latest from UK Men’s Tennis by following the team on Twitter and Instagram at @UKMensTennis.
