Tennis - The Independent Florida Alligator

Freshman Jonah Braswell competes at the ITA All-American Championships, which concluded play Oct. 8.

Sports

Gator freshmen lead the way for men’s tennis in ITA All-American Championships

By Kyle Bumpers | Oct. 10, 2022

Five Gators — Braswell, Nirundorn, Tokac, junior Will Grant and senior Lukas Greif — held spots in the pre-qualifying round, while sophomore Nate Bonetto was placed in qualifying and graduate transfer Axel Nefve automatically advanced to the main draw. The team had three duos — Bonetto/Greif, Grant/Nefve and Nirundorn/Tokac — compete in the doubles qualifying draw.

Florida men's tennis head coach Bryan Shelton. His team, represented by four players, saw its first action this past weekend in Nashville, Tennessee.

Sports

Nefve and Grant lead the Gators, wrap up their first tournament of the season

By Kyle Bumpers | Sep. 28, 2022

Florida had four players represent the team at the Commodore Invitational in Nashville — Intercollegiate Tennis Association ranked No. 91 Nate Bonetto, Will Grant, Lukas Greif and No. 34 Axel Nefve — each competing in singles and doubles play.

Florida senior Emma Shelton practices at Alfred A. Ring Tennis Complex in Gainesville, Florida.

Sports

Shelton and De Oliveira earn title victories in their season debuts

By Zachary Curtin | Sep. 26, 2022

Senior Emma Shelton and sophomore Emily De Oliveira showed out for Florida as they claimed titles in the Bedford Cup.

Alicia Dudeney during the Gators' match against the South Alabama Jaguars on Saturday, May 7, 2022 at Linder Stadium at Ring Tennis Complex. UAA Communications photo by Jashari Blige

Sports

Spee and Dudeney open up the season with qualifying victories in the Lubbock 15k

By Zachary Curtin | Sep. 23, 2022

Starting off on the right foot, Spee and Dudeney secured wins in the Lubbock 15k qualifying rounds.

Adam Steinberg will be the eleventh UF men’s tennis head coach in program history.

Sports

Florida’s returning men’s tennis players embrace leadership as season approaches

By Kyle Bumpers | Sep. 20, 2022

The Gators will be without six players from last year’s 26-3 men’s tennis squad, but they still expect to be a top team in the country. Florida will depend on many new faces as it hopes to return to the National Championship success it had in 2020.

Sara Dahlstrom fires an forehead return against LSU on Feb. 26, 2021. Dahlstrom is the lone junior on the 2022 women's tennis roster. She is one of only three upperclassmen.

Sports

Florida women’s tennis roster preview

By Zachary Curtin | Sep. 19, 2022

An in depth look at the inner workings of the Gator’s women’s tennis roster ahead of their first event of the fall season, the Lubbock 15k tournament.

Ben Shelton on Feb. 21, 2021 against Auburn. Shelton announced his decision to forgo his remaining collegiate eligibility and turn pro Tuesday.

Sports

Ben Shelton decides to forgo final years of eligibility to turn pro

By Kyle Bumpers | Aug. 23, 2022

After jumping to No. 171 in the Pepperstone ATP Rankings, Ben Shelton has elected to depart from Florida two years early and turn pro.

Sports

Florida men’s tennis hires Mat Cloer as new associate head coach

By Brenda Bogle | May 29, 2022

Former United States Tennis Association player development national coach Mat Cloer is headed to Gainesville after being named the Florida Gators men’s tennis associate head coach Sunday.

Florida's Ben Shelton celebrates on Feb. 21, 2021 against Auburn. The sophomore clinched a national championship Saturday.

Sports

Sophomore sensation Ben Shelton wins NCAA Singles Championship

By Brenda Bogle | May 28, 2022

Shelton displayed great toughness as he was named the 2022 NCAA singles national champion Saturday.

Sports

Florida men’s tennis’ hopes of back-to-back championships come to a close

By Brenda Bogle | May 20, 2022

The No.7-seeded Cavaliers (26-5, 12-0) defeated Florida (26-3, 12-0) and punched their ticket to the Final Four with a 4-1 victory atin the Khan Outdoor Tennis Complex in Champaign, Illinois.

Freshman Nate Bonetto (left) and senior Duarte Vale celebrate a score. The Florida men’s tennis team rolled the Crimson Tide Friday night, 5-2

Sports

Gators continue to push past competition, move on to Elite Eight

By Brenda Bogle | May 14, 2022

The No. 2-seeded Gators (26-2, 12-0) defeated the North Carolina Tar Heels (18-9, 9-3) at The Ring Friday to capture an Elite Eight berth, 4-0. Florida entered the match off dominating performances in the first two rounds of the NCAA tournament, eliminating Miami and New Orleans last weekend.

Florida's McCartney Kessler serves a ball to start a game versus Texas A&M in 2021. Although her team's season is over, Kessler will continue to compete as an individual.

Sports

Florida’s historic season comes to a close, falls to North Carolina 4-0

By Brenda Bogle | May 13, 2022

North Carolina proved to be too much for Florida to handle, as the Gators were eliminated from postseason contention following a 4-0 defeat.

Sports

Sara Dahlstrom’s stellar singles play sends Florida to the Round of 16

By Brenda Bogle | May 8, 2022

The No. 16-seed Gators (21-6, 10-3 SEC) claimed state bragging rights following a statement-making, 4-1 victory over the Seminoles (15-11, 6-7 ACC) Sunday.

Florida’s Ben Shelton prepares to hit a ball against Auburn on Feb. 21, 2021. Shelton helped his team reach the Sweet 16 in a Saturday victory over Miami.

Sports

Gators claim sixth-straight Round of 16 appearance

By Brenda Bogle | May 7, 2022

Shelton had his team prepared to play as No-2 seeded Florida (25-2, 12-0 SEC) knocked the Canes (17-10, 5-7 ACC) out of the tournament Saturday, 4-0, and secured its sixth-straight Round of 16 berth.

Florida's McCartney Kessler competes during a Feb. 26, 2021 match against LSU. Kessler helped secure a doubles win with freshman Alicia Dudeney, 6-2.

Sports

Gators survive and advance past South Alabama, 4-0

By Brenda Bogle | May 7, 2022

The Gators (20-6, 10-3 SEC) came into this postseason contest as the No. 16-seed and closed the door on the Jaguars (22-5, 10-1 SBC) despite a slow start on doubles.

Florida's Andy Andrade returns a ball against Auburn on February 21, 2021. Andrade won his 200th career match Friday.

Sports

Florida advances to second round of NCAA tournament

By Brenda Bogle | May 6, 2022

The No. 2-seeded Gators (23-2, 12-0 SEC) spoiled the Privateers (16-6, 2-1 SLC) first appearance in the NCAA tournament in decisive fashion Friday, 4-0.

Florida's Marlee Zein looks up for a serve during a match against Texas A&M on Feb. 28. The Gators women's tennis team were destroyed by Auburn, 6-1 Sunday afternoon.

Sports

Florida falls short against Auburn in singles matchups

By Vanessa Sanchez | Apr. 10, 2022

Freshman Alicia Dudeney and No. 15 Florida women's tennis (17-5, 9-3) fell to No. 13 Auburn (18-4, 9-2) 1-6.

The No. 3 Florida Gators clinched its third-straight SEC Title with a win over No. 27 Auburn Sunday afternoon.

Sports

Gators clinch SEC regular-season title with win over Auburn

By Joshua Morgan | Apr. 10, 2022

No. 3 Florida (19-2, 11-0) clinched the SEC title Sunday with a 6-1 win over No. 27 Auburn (17-7, 5-5). The Gators have now won their 14th consecutive match as they are just one win away from a perfect SEC season.

UF women's tennis coach Roland Thornqvist was pleased Friday afternoon with an impressive performance by the Florida doubles squads

Sports

Florida continues impressive performances in doubles, pummel Alabama

By Vanessa Sanchez | Apr. 9, 2022

No. 15 Florida women’s tennis (17-4, 9-2 SEC) extended its SEC winning streak to nine games against No. 42 Alabama (14-8, SEC 4-6) Friday at the Alfred A. Ring Tennis Complex.

Sports

Gators continue rolling with win over Crimson Tide

By Joshua Morgan | Apr. 9, 2022

No. 3 Florida (18-2, 9-0) improved their winning streak to 13 matches with a 5-2 win over Alabama (6-17, 0-9), as UF retains a perfect record in conference play.