Starting 2–0 in the Southeastern Conference, the Texas men’s tennis team has faced fresh competition, longer trips and rowdier crowds.
But while the environment has changed, the Longhorns’ mindset remained the same: stay competitive, keep improving and be the best team come April when the Southeastern Conference Championship kicks off in South Carolina.
Fresh off a Big 12 championship title in 2024, head coach Bruce Berque remains confident, trusting the dedication and discipline Texas displayed in years prior.
“As far as the actual coaching, I don’t think it’s different,” Berque said. “We definitely have a good team, and I think one of the things we also pride ourselves on is treating every opponent the same.”
However, a new conference brings new adjustments.
“It’s a little bit more traveling and a little bit more of a demanding schedule,” sophomore Lucas Brown said. “It was nice in the Big 12 having all the schools nearby, you just kind of hop on a bus and go to Baylor. … We just got to be a little bit more on top of our bodies and on top of our training.”
Despite these changes, the allure of playing in the SEC did not go unnoticed, with players anticipating the opportunity to play with higher stakes in more energetic atmospheres.
“It’s a privilege, too,” Brown said. “A lot of teams that are very good (are) in the SEC. A lot of fun matches, a lot of chippy crowds, so we’re all excited.”
For standout junior Sebastian Gorzny, one match stands out: Georgia.
“I’m looking forward to playing at Georgia,” Gorzny said. “Athens is a notorious place in the tennis world. They have a huge stadium and get a good crowd, so I’m excited to play there.”
Another challenge for the Longhorns is their roster size. With only nine players on the roster, Texas’ depth could play a key factor in its success this season.
“Everyone’s really important because we only have nine players on the team right now,” Berque said. “Which is a small team, but you only need six on the court at a time, so really everybody is going to contribute.”
Freshman Oliver Ojakaar and redshirt freshman Timo Legout have stepped into crucial roles. Since debuting for the Longhorns in January, Ojakaar has remained undefeated in singles play with seven wins.
Legout has proved to be one of the best players in the nation, taking massive strides from the beginning of the season. The Frenchman entered the season outside the ITA’s individual rankings but recently was ranked seventh in the nation by the ITA.
Despite the challenges of a new conference, Texas is approaching every match with the same philosophy. The ultimate goal? Be the best when it matters most.
“(We focus on) being competitive, not just to win the match, but being competitive against our own level,” Berque said. “So that by the end of the year, we really have become the best team that we can be.”
