Kentucky men’s tennis just served up an ace in the international recruiting game. Head coach Cedric Kauffmann has snagged Antoine Ghibaudo, a 19-year-old Parisian powerhouse, for the 2024-25 season.
“We’ve landed ourselves a real Eiffel Tower of talent,” Kauffmann told the Courier Journal. “Antoine’s not just a player, he’s a force of nature on the court.”
Ghibaudo brings some serious French flair to the Bluegrass, boasting a pro resume that’d make most college freshmen green with envy. The kid’s already cracked the top 750 in the ATP rankings, making him hotter property than a baguette fresh out of the oven.
This isn’t just any run-of-the-mill recruit. Ghibaudo’s cut his teeth on the hallowed grounds of Roland Garros, Wimbledon, and the Australian Open. He’s even suited up for the Junior Davis Cup Finals, proving he’s got ice in his veins when the pressure’s on.
Kauffmann’s not just excited about Ghibaudo’s backhand, though. “Antoine’s got that je ne sais quoi off the court too,” the coach gushed. “He’ll fit right in with our Kentucky family.”
With Ghibaudo in the fold, the Wildcats are serving notice to the rest of the SEC. This Parisian import might just be the secret sauce Kentucky needs to cook up a conference title.
As for the rest of college tennis? They might want to brush up on their French. There’s a new Musketeer in town, and he’s ready to make some racket in Lexington.
