Sun Devil Men’s Tennis Heads to San Diego for First Road Test of 2026 Season
The Sun Devils are off to a scorching 6-0 start, and now they’re taking that momentum on the road for the first time this season. Arizona State heads to the ITA Kickoff Weekend hosted by No.
8 San Diego, with a chance to punch their ticket to the ITA Indoor National Championships in Chicago next month. It’s a big opportunity-and a big test-for a team that’s been red-hot at home but still looking to prove it can win away from Tempe.
The Road Ahead: A Top-10 Clash to Start
ASU opens play on Jan. 23 at 2 p.m. MST against the host Toreros, who come in ranked No. 8 in the latest ITA polls and already have two top-20 wins under their belt this season.
The Sun Devils will then face either Princeton or Miami on Jan. 24, depending on the outcome of the opening matches. Both contests will be streamed live on Track Tennis, with live stats available throughout the weekend.
Two wins in San Diego would send ASU to the ITA Indoor Nationals in Chicago from Feb. 6-10-a stage they reached last season by taking down Florida State and VCU in the Tallahassee Regional.
Sun Devils Riding Historic Start
It’s not just that ASU is winning-it’s how they’re doing it. At 6-0, this is the best start the program has seen since its reinstatement. That’s a significant milestone for a team that went winless on the road last season (0-7) and is now looking to flip that narrative.
The last time ASU saw San Diego was nearly a year ago, and it was a thriller. On Feb. 23, 2025, the Toreros edged out a 4-3 win in Tempe. Now, the rematch comes with higher stakes and a national stage looming.
Players to Watch: Sun Devils’ Standouts
A trio of Sun Devils have been holding it down in singles play, each racking up four wins to lead the team: sophomore Niels Villard, senior Mathis Bondaz, and junior Jelani Sarr. Their consistency has been a cornerstone of ASU’s early success.
In doubles, sophomore Ofek Shimanov has quietly become a force. He’s 6-0 this season across two different partnerships-3-0 with Villard and 3-0 with junior Bor Artnak. That kind of versatility and chemistry in doubles can be a difference-maker in these tightly contested dual matches.
Scouting the Toreros: A Home Fortress
San Diego has looked every bit the top-10 team so far. The Toreros started their season with back-to-back 5-2 wins over No.
16 Baylor and No. 19 USC-two programs with plenty of pedigree.
Last year, USD went 25-4 and made it to the NCAA Tournament’s round of 32.
They’ve also been nearly unbeatable at home. In the 2024-25 season, the Toreros posted a 10-1 record at Hogan Tennis Center, outscoring their opponents 45-10 in those matches. That’s a tough environment for any visiting squad, especially one still searching for its first road win since last season.
In doubles, keep an eye on the pair of Adrien Berrut and Lambert Ruland, who were ranked No. 71 in the latest ITA doubles poll back in November.
Scouting the Hurricanes: Dominant Start, But Road Woes Linger
If ASU ends up facing Miami, they’ll be up against a team that’s come out of the gates firing. The Hurricanes are 3-0 this spring and haven’t dropped a single point-two 4-0 wins and a 7-0 sweep to open their campaign.
Antonio Prat is the name to know here. He’s ranked No. 30 in singles and also forms one half of Miami’s No. 50-ranked doubles team alongside Jakub Kroslak. That duo could pose a serious challenge if the matchup comes to pass.
That said, Miami struggled outside their home courts last year, going 0-9 on the road and 0-2 in neutral-site matches. ASU will be hoping that trend continues.
Scouting the Tigers: TBD
Details on Princeton were not included, but they round out the four-team pod in San Diego. Whoever ASU draws on Day 2, the Sun Devils will need to bring their best tennis if they want to keep their perfect start alive-and earn a trip to Chicago.
What’s at Stake
This weekend isn’t just about extending a win streak. It’s about showing that this ASU team is ready to take the next step. They’ve been dominant at home, but now comes the challenge of proving it on the road, against ranked opponents, with a national championship berth on the line.
If the Sun Devils can rise to the occasion, they won’t just be 8-0-they’ll be on their way to the biggest indoor stage in college tennis.