Between a fourth quarter breakdown in the Gator Bowl and another first round exit in March Madness, Big Blue Nation has had its fair share of heart break this year.
However, one team has not been flying, but soaring under the radar for UK athletics and it is here to wipe away the tears from a year of disappointment.
No. 4 Kentucky men’s tennis has been built into a powerhouse over the last three years under head coach Cedric Kauffmann and is likely to see post season triumphs.
Kauffmann has seen success with the program over his 12-year career in blue, but nothing compares to the dominance the Wildcats have demonstrated on the court over the last three seasons.
The last two seasons the Wildcats have gone 53-13, including a National Championship match loss to Virginia and an SEC title in 2022-23.
This season has been no different so far, Kentucky is 18-2 overall, 9-0 in SEC and currently on an eleven match win streak dating back to Feb. 21.
Captain Taha Baadi has filled the shoes of the previous year’s star Liam Draxl, who was the 2021 National Player of the year and turned pro after his senior season.
Baadi, who plays mostly at court one singles for Kentucky, is 11-6 this season and an impressive 7-4 in matches against ranked opponents.
Embracing his leadership role was something special for Baadi, and it has proven to work well for the Cats this season.
“I’m just happy to be able to try to lead the team as much as I can and inspire the younger guys,” Baadi said. “It’s good to give them some advice and be that leader that the group needs. I think it’s awesome.”
Sophomore Charlelie Cosnet has shown massive strides on the court this season playing with confidence as he boasts a 14-1 overall singles record.
“I think he took a big jump mentally, just moving on from tough moments,” Kauffmann said. “When he has this little window where he’s not playing great, he’s not panicking. He says everything’s fine. I have my game. I trust my game.”
His fellow second-year stud Jaden Weekes has also continued his upward trajectory this year with a 11-4 singles record on court three.
It’s impossible to talk about the greatness of this year’s squad without mentioning the dominance of the freshmen class.
The trio of Jack Loutit, Matt Rankin and Eli Stephenson were the No. 3 ranked recruiting class by the Tennis Recruiting Network, but may have proven to be the best with their play this year.
The three have an eye-opening 34-6 singles record so far this year, Stephenson the Kentucky native holds the cleanest record of 13-0.
Kauffmann knew before the season that Stephenson could be something special.
“He has a smooth service motion and will be one of the most improved players in the country his freshman year,” Kauffmann told UK Athletics after the class rankings were released.
It’s fair to say the ITA rankings have been sleeping on Kentucky this season, as Virginia sits ahead of the Cats at No. 2 in the nation.
Virginia has proven it can’t always compete with the top talent in the collegiate world after it was swept by No. 1 Ohio State twice and suffered a 4-3 loss to Kentucky earlier in the season.
No. 5 Texas (16-3) could also be a bit of a head scratcher with fewer wins and one more loss on the season than the Wildcats (The team just this week moved behind Kentucky after being ahead most of the season).The Longhorns are 5-3 in ITA top 25 matches while the Wildcats are 6-1.
Kentucky has just three left before the start of the SEC tournament, including top 25 matchups with No. 7 Tennessee and No. 19 South Carolina.
“We’re just taking it match by match and we try not to look too forward,” Baadi said. “Just repeat the same routine and hope it will keep paying off.”
With their lethal singles play and growing confidence Kentucky has shown this season, don’t be surprised when it makes a deep postseason run at the SEC and national level.
