Is this the year for Ohio State to win the men's tennis National Championship?
The Ohio State Buckeyes have been one of the best tennis programs in the country for a decade now. The men’s team reached the National Championship Match in 2023 and 2018. The 2019 team was the highest-rated men’s team in college tennis history, but lost a stunner to North Carolina in the quarterfinals. And while no other years have come as close to those, Ohio State is always among the contenders in the later rounds of the tournament.
So, is this it? Is 2025 finally the year for Ohio State to take home a natty in tennis?
Ohio State Men’s Tennis Outlook
For the men’s team, the answer is very likely no. The talent is good enough to competitive–though not as elite as in some years–but the consistency hasn’t been there against the top teams too often.
First of all, the team just hasn’t put it together in doubles. Way too often, this team is losing doubles points when it shouldn’t (like against Auburn in the second round). That can be overcome, but it’s never a position you want to put yourself in–especially against top competition.
But the issues aren’t just in doubles. Aidan Kim is one of the best players in the country, but he has had some late-season troubles putting away matches. Jack Anthrop and Alexander Bernard (“Bernie” for short) don’t quite have records this season that live up to their potential.
The bottom of the lineup is as strong as anyone in the country, with names that might be familiar to tennis fans. Bryce Nakashima (brother of ATP pro Brandon) and Preston Stearns (brother of WTA pro and former NCAA champion Peyton) are anchors that man the Buckeyes are rarely out of any match.
Am I being a bit pessimistic about this team? Perhaps. It certainly has the talent to beat anyone, and should be heavily favored over Mississippi State in Saturday’s Round of 16 match in Columbus. After that, a quarterfinal matchup against the Stanford-South Carolina winner (probably Stanford) will be the real test. If the Buckeyes can put everything together and win that, anything is possible. But more likely than not, a quarterfinal loss to Stanford or a semifinal loss to Wake Forest is where this season will end.
This article originally appeared on Buckeyes Wire: Is Ohio State finally ready to win a National Championship in tennis?
