Head Coach Per Nilsson is encouraged by the Bulldogs summer play.
Mississippi State University Team Page
STARKVILLE, Miss. – The Mississippi State men’s tennis team had a very strong summer with a mix of players competing in professional tournaments across the globe. MSU had seven different players playing on the pro circuit this past summer, playing in over 30 tournaments worldwide including 27 Futures tournaments, three Challengers tournaments and one ATP tournament.
State had one player reach the finals of a Futures tournament, two others advancing to the semifinals and one quarterfinals appearance in a Futures event. The entire Bulldog team earned a total of 30 ATP points this summer, while multiple players acquired wins over players currently ranked in the top 300 of the ATP.
“We encourage our players to play professional tournaments as much as possible since their goal is to be on the ATP tour,” said fourth-year head coach Per Nilsson. “It was great to see the success they had.”
The Bulldog men’s tennis team will have several athletes compete in three more Futures events in the United States this fall to give players more opportunity to gain points and experience on the men’s circuit. In addition to the futures events, the Bulldogs will compete in some familiar collegiate events. MSU will begin its fall season at the Southern Intercollegiate Championships which will be played in Athens, Ga., on Sep. 24-27. On Oct. 1, MSU will take several players to Tulsa, Okla., to participate in the ITA All-American Championship. At the end of October, on the 22nd, MSU will go to Tuscaloosa, Ala., for the ITA Southern Regional Indoor Championships. Shortly following the ITA Regionals event, MSU will have several players participate in the USTA Futures Qualifying event in Niceville, Fla., with an opportunity to advance for another Futures event. MSU will cap off the season at the Crimson Tide Fall Championships in Tuscaloosa, Ala. on Nov. 5.
“For our returning guys, we have a very familiar schedule,” said Nilsson. “Our guys had a great summer and we are hoping it shows off in the way we play in the fall. We have a lot of confidence going into the fall season but have to continue to work hard so we can improve and prepare for when it really matters in the spring season.”
