UCLA men’s tennis prioritizes health ahead of 5-match stretch
Alexander Hoogmartens waits at the net. The sophomore for UCLA men’s tennis has not played a dual match for the Bruins since Feb. 4, but he is expected to return this week. (Shengfeng Chien/Daily Bruin staff)
Men's Tennis
Pennsylvania
Wednesday, 2 p.m.
Los Angeles Tennis Center
UCLA Tennis-1
By Garrison Hallum
March 8, 2023 12:01 p.m.
This Bruin squad is going to be busy.
UCLA men’s tennis (5-2) is set to compete against Pennsylvania (5-5) on Wednesday at the Los Angeles Tennis Center. The match marks the first of five on the docket for the Bruins in the coming two weeks.
The blue and gold has never lost to an Ivy League opponent, holding an unbeaten all-time record of 19-0. And with three of their next five opponents all hailing from the Ivy League, the Bruins will have an opportunity to extend that streak.
Coach Billy Martin said that despite recent injury struggles, he is confident in his team’s ability to perform.
“Tomorrow (Wednesday) we could be back at full force, and that would be great for us,” Martin said. “I think that when our top guys are healthy, we are a pretty darn good team.”
Martin references injuries that have plagued the team in recent matches. No. 41 sophomore Alexander Hoogmartens and freshman Azuma Visaya have both been held out of dual-match play as of late because of their respective injuries.
Redshirt sophomore Jeffrey Fradkin, alongside doubles teammate junior Timothy Li, formed the only Bruin doubles team to not lose a set to USC last week. The tandem tied the first set 4-4 but was unable to finish the match because the doubles point had already been awarded.
Fradkin said the key to success for the Bruins during the upcoming five-game stretch is staying healthy.
“The number one thing for us is taking care of our bodies. It’s important everyone sees the trainer and takes care of little injuries,” Fradkin said. “It’s a lot of tennis in a short period of time.”
Sophomore Giacomo Revelli will look to reenter the win column following doubles and singles losses against USC. Revelli is one of four Bruins to have a clinching win this season after posting the fourth point against Memphis earlier in the season.
Revelli said both starting strong and taking advantage of home court would do the Bruins some good in the near future.
“We just need to be ready right from the first point. In order to succeed, you have to want it and let them know that we are playing at home,” Revelli said. “If we carry the momentum into the singles, I think we have a good chance.”
First serve is set for 2 p.m. on Wednesday at the LATC, marking the first of three matches the Bruins will play in the next week.
