The Intercollegiate Tennis Association (ITA) has named Kentucky men’s tennis players, Liam Draxl and Alafia Ayeni, as 2023 All-Americans in singles. These two players helped lead the Wildcats to the national quarterfinals this year. All-American status is awarded to student-athletes who achieve a Top 16 seed at the NCAA Singles Championship, advance to the Round of 16 at the NCAA Singles Championship, or rank in the Top 20 of the final ITA Singles Rankings. This is Draxl’s third consecutive season receiving this accolade. The 2021 ITA National Player of the Year had a highly successful season, posting a 19-8 singles record while playing primarily on the top court for the Wildcats. Draxl was one of the nationally ranked opponents whom Ayeni defeated this season.
Ayeni earned his All-American spot by finishing the season ranked No. 20 in the ITA Singles rankings. He went 18-9 in singles during the dual season and led the team with 11 wins over nationally ranked opponents. Ayeni’s success helped the Wildcats win their second-ever title at the 2023 SEC Tournament. This is the first time that Ayeni has achieved All-American status.
With Draxl and Ayeni’s achievements this year, Kentucky now has a total of 52 All-American selections. The university was one of only seven schools in the nation that had multiple All-American singles players this season. To keep up with the latest news about UK Men’s Tennis, follow the team on Twitter and Instagram at @UKMensTennis.
The University of Kentucky has a long history of excellence in men’s tennis, with the program dating back to the early 1900s. The university has won numerous conference championships and has produced many successful players who have gone on to play professionally. The team has a dedicated fan base and a strong social media presence, with regular updates and highlights shared on various platforms. The university’s tennis facilities are also highly regarded, featuring 22 outdoor and six indoor courts, including a newly renovated indoor complex. The program has a tradition of recruiting top talent from around the world and has partnerships with several tennis academies and organizations. With its continued success, the Kentucky men’s tennis team looks to maintain its standing as one of the top programs in the country.
