The 2023-24 season for Kentucky men’s tennis came to a close on Tuesday as the Wildcats’ representatives in the NCAA Singles and Doubles Championships exited in the round of 32 at the Greenwood Tennis Center on the campus of Oklahoma State University.
Singles Championship
Kentucky’s Taha Baadi had a promising start, winning his first-round singles match on Monday against Hunter Heck of Illinois with a score of 6-1, 6-2. However, Baadi faced a tough challenge in the round of 32, falling to the No. 5 seed, Micah Braswell of Texas, with a score of 1-6, 3-6. Despite his efforts, Baadi couldn’t advance further in his inaugural NCAA Singles Championship appearance.
Doubles Championship
In the doubles competition, UK’s Lapadat and Mercer entered as the first Kentucky doubles pair to compete in the NCAA Doubles Championships since 2021. Seeded No. 3 overall, they faced a challenging opening match against Princeton’s Filippos Astreinidis and Paul Inchauspe, ultimately losing 5-7, 1-6.
Season Recap
Despite the disappointing end in the championships, the Wildcats had a remarkable season. The team achieved a 27-3 overall dual-match record, reached their third-straight national quarterfinal, and accomplished the rare feat of winning both the SEC regular season and tournament titles in the same season for just the second time in program history.
The season showcased the team’s talent and determination, setting a strong foundation for future success in the Kentucky men’s tennis program.
NCAA Singles Championship
Round of 64: Taha Baadi (UK) def. Hunter Heck (Ill.): 6-1, 6-2
Round of 32: (5) Micah Braswell (Texas) def. Taha Baadi (UK): 6-1, 6-3
NCAA Doubles Championship
Round of 32: Filippos Astreinidis/Paul Inchauspe (Prin) def. (3) Josh Lapadat/JJ Mercer (UK): 7-5, 6-1
