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LEXINGTON, Ky. – Nils Ellefsen, a native of Norway and winner of multiple International Tennis Federation crowns, was named as the newest member of the University of Kentucky men’s tennis team, it was announced by first-year head coach Cedric Kauffmann on Tuesday.
“I am really excited that Nils and his family have decided to join our program and our team,” UK first-year head coach Cedric Kauffmann said. “He is one of the better players in Europe and was highly recruited by the top-10 schools in the country. I am really happy he picked Kentucky.”
Ellefsen is currently ranked a career-best No. 326 in the ITF rankings, and has claimed multiple championships in his home country of Norway. Ellefsen is the winner of one ITF singles title, two ITF doubles championships and three National Junior Championships in doubles and mixed doubles. Ellefsen is also the winner of several National Cup tournaments, both in singles and doubles.
“We look forward to working with him to achieve his goals and dreams,” Kauffmann said. “Nils is a fantastic player and has the ability to become a great player. He also has the character and physical ability to do it.”
Ellefsen held the No. 1 spot in the Norwegian Junior rankings through the entirety of the 2012 calendar year, and in December ascended the No. 1 ranking in the country for men’s players. He currently holds the No. 2 ranking in the country.
“Coach Kauffmann and I are very excited about adding Nils to our program at Kentucky,” UK assistant coach Matt Emery said. “At 6’6”, Nils bings a lot to the table in terms of his weapons and athleticism. He is also a solid, confident competitor, and we expect him to be a force immediately both in singles and doubles.”
Ellefsen is graduating from Elite Sports High School Wang Toppidrett in Olso, Norway in June of 2013. Before focusing his primary time on tennis, he also played soccer and bandy, a form of ice hockey, for several years prior.
Ellefsen was born on June 30, 1994 and is the son of Marie and Jon-Egil Ellefson. He has one sister, Sophie, who is 21.
Kentucky will be back in action for the NCAA Tournament on May 10-12. The Wildcats will learn their destination and seeding in the NCAA Selection Show on April 30 at 5:00 p.m. ET. The broadcast will be live on NCAAsports.com.
For more information about UK men’s tennis, log onto UKathletics.com.
