This post was updated May 2 at 12:10 a.m.

After winning its first-ever Big Ten tournament title Sunday, UCLA men’s tennis (16-8, 11-2 Big Ten) heads to Berkeley for the first two rounds of the NCAA tournament. UCLA will face UC Santa Barbara (18-4, 6-0 Big West) on Friday in the first round, and with a win would play either No. 11 seed California (18-4, 10-3 ACC) or Boise State (21-5, 6-0 Mountain West) on Saturday. Super regionals will be played either May 9 or 10 before the quarterfinals, and the semifinals and title game are played in Waco, Texas, from May 17 through 18. Daily Bruin Sports’ men’s tennis beat predicts how the Bruins’ season will end.

Lamar Tuker
Daily Bruin staff
Prediction: National champions

The myth of Icarus warns of flying too close to the sun.

But the Bruins’ ascent won’t end in a meltdown – they’re reaching for gold.

A men’s tennis NCAA title hasn’t graced Westwood in 20 years. And with an unpromising and unexpected start to the season, it looked like it was going to be another season without any hardware.

That was, until April 6.

Conquering Penn State in a sweep, UCLA began etching a new fate into stone. Since then, it’s become an unstoppable force, storming its way to the Big Ten tournament title.

UCLA has proven its ability to prevail under pressure. Ironically, the familiarity of its home court may have been holding it back. When January’s Los Angeles fires forced the Bruins’ season opener to be relocated to Irvine, UCLA defeated UC Irvine 4-1. But the team went on to lose its home opener 4-3 against then-No. 16 San Diego on Jan. 20 and finish the regular season just one match above .500 at the Los Angeles Tennis Center.

In contrast, the Bruins have thrived on the road with a 10-3 record. Playing the entirety of the NCAA tournament away from Westwood could be to UCLA’s benefit.

The Bruins proved that it’s not about how you start – it’s about how you finish. And right now, UCLA is surging. With a lineup that thrives on hostile territory, the Bruins are evolving into a team no one wants to face.

When all is said and done, don’t be surprised if the Bruins return to Westwood from Waco as winners.

Chloe Agas
Daily Bruin staff
Prediction: National runner-ups

Billy Martin’s squad is fresh off of its first conference tournament title since 2018.

But now it needs to prove it can maintain its winning ways.

And despite being unseeded, it should not be underestimated.

Just look at No. 5 seed Ohio State – a team that entered the Big Ten tournament looking to three-peat. Undefeated in Big Ten play since 2022, it seemed as if the Buckeyes were untouchable.

That was, until Sunday.

In a finale few saw coming, the Bruins dethroned the Buckeyes in their first Big Ten tournament.

And they’ll make the final again – but on the national stage.

The Bruins last hoisted the national title 20 years ago. Their most recent before that was 21 years prior.

If the Bruins make it past the Gauchos, they’ll face the Golden Bears – who are undefeated in Berkeley and defeated UCLA 4-2 earlier this season. But if past results dictated the future, the Bruins wouldn’t be where they are now.

And even if the draw brings a matchup against a top-seeded opponent, the Bruins are no strangers to being underdogs and road warriors.

The same fight that lifted UCLA to a conference title will carry it to college tennis’s biggest stage.

Cypress Ohebsion
Daily Bruin contributor
Prediction: Semifinals appearance

The Bruins have all the momentum on their side – and they’ve built it up at just the right time.

UCLA struggled at different points throughout the season, with its longest losing streak amounting to four matches early in February.

But now, with the NCAA tournament on the horizon, it’s looking like a top team in the country on the heels of its Big Ten tournament championship win over Ohio State.

A matchup against UCSB awaits the Bruins in the first round, and though the Gauchos have gone 18-4 this season, I expect the Bruins to keep the ball rolling.

If it advances, UCLA is likely to meet another UC opponent – Cal, which defeated it 4-2 to kickstart that aforementioned four-match skid.

But UCLA is a completely different team now, riding an eight-match win streak as it travels to Berkeley.

Redshirt sophomore Emon van Loben Sels and junior Gianluca Ballotta have gone 13-2 as a doubles pair since early March and will carry this success into the NCAA tournament. No. 116 junior Aadarsh Tripathi and No. 35 sophomore Spencer Johnson also haven’t lost since being paired together April 13.

On the singles side, freshman Kaylan Bigun has emerged as a very reliable talent on court three – where he’s undefeated in his last eight matches – and will be a crucial factor, should the Bruins face some of the top teams in the country.

UCLA is poised to make some noise on the national stage, and if their recent momentum continues, the Bruins could soon find themselves playing in Waco.