Photo by: Columbia Athletics/Morgan Turner
Men’s Tennis Lands Four on ITA Collegiate Tennis National Preseason Rankings
9/7/2022 11:37:00 AM | Men's Tennis
Junior Alex Kotzen ranks 10th in the nation
TEMPE, Ariz. — Four members of the Columbia men's tennis team received preseason accolades, as announced by the Intercollegiate Tennis Association on Tuesday. According to the Division I Men's Collegiate Tennis National Preseason Rankings, junior Alex Kotzen ranks 10th among all singles players, nationally.
Kotzen is joined in the preseason rankings by the No. 21 doubles pair of Max Westphal and Theo Winegar, and the third-ranked newcomer, Michael Zheng.
Kotzen led the Lions from the top singles spot all last season, ranking as high as seventh nationally. A member of the All-Ivy League First Team, Kotzen competed at the 2022 NCAA Division I Men's Tennis Singles Tournament as the league's lone automatic qualifier.
Max Westphal, the 2021-22 ITA Regional Rookie of the Year, and doubles partner Theo Winegar competed from the Lions' top spot last season. The duo earned 12-6 record, ranking as high as fifth in the region and finishing 47th in the nation.
Though untested at the collegiate level, first-year Michael Zheng has dominated major junior tournaments throughout the summer. In July, Zheng advanced to the 2022 Wimbledon Boys' Singles Championship after defeating No. 10 Martin Landaluce of Spain in the semifinal round. The No. 22 ITF Junior is currently competing at the U.S. Open in the boys' singles category.
Columbia men's tennis will begin its fall season at the Knoxville Showdown, running from September 16-18 at the University of Tennessee.
Stay up to date on all things Columbia Men's Tennis by following @CULionsMTEN at Twitter and Instagram, or on the web at GoColumbiaLions.com.
Kotzen is joined in the preseason rankings by the No. 21 doubles pair of Max Westphal and Theo Winegar, and the third-ranked newcomer, Michael Zheng.
Kotzen led the Lions from the top singles spot all last season, ranking as high as seventh nationally. A member of the All-Ivy League First Team, Kotzen competed at the 2022 NCAA Division I Men's Tennis Singles Tournament as the league's lone automatic qualifier.
Max Westphal, the 2021-22 ITA Regional Rookie of the Year, and doubles partner Theo Winegar competed from the Lions' top spot last season. The duo earned 12-6 record, ranking as high as fifth in the region and finishing 47th in the nation.
Though untested at the collegiate level, first-year Michael Zheng has dominated major junior tournaments throughout the summer. In July, Zheng advanced to the 2022 Wimbledon Boys' Singles Championship after defeating No. 10 Martin Landaluce of Spain in the semifinal round. The No. 22 ITF Junior is currently competing at the U.S. Open in the boys' singles category.
Columbia men's tennis will begin its fall season at the Knoxville Showdown, running from September 16-18 at the University of Tennessee.
Stay up to date on all things Columbia Men's Tennis by following @CULionsMTEN at Twitter and Instagram, or on the web at GoColumbiaLions.com.
Players Mentioned
Highlights: MTEN | National Championship Highlights
Sunday, November 23
Postgame: MTEN | Michael Zheng on winning the NCAA singles championship
Sunday, November 24
Postgame: MTEN | Michael Zheng on advancing to the singles final at NCAA Championships
Saturday, November 23
Postgame: MTEN | Michael Zheng on advancing to semifinals at NCAA Championships
Friday, November 22
