As the Michigan men’s tennis team travels to Madison this weekend, there will be no free watches or hotel stays to be won. In fact, there won’t even be any team competition. The Wolverines will use the Omni Hotels Regional Championship on October 24-27, (formerly known as the Rolex Regional Championship), to continue their preparation for the upcoming winter season.
The team’s main goals for the fall season are practice and development, both of which the Wolverines have been focusing on as of late.
“The fall is the time to find out who we are,” Michigan coach Mark Mees said. “The competition also helps us to get our feet back from the many layoffs during the summer and early fall.”
Of this year’s team, not a whole lot is known. On a team featuring only two returning seniors, Chris Rolf and Chris Shaya, there are obviously a lot of question marks. The only thing that is for sure is the top two singles players. Sophomore No. 1 Michael Rubin and junior No. 2 Anthony Jackson hold those spots.
“The only thing clear is our leaders this year are Jackson and Rubin,” said Mees, “but I’ve been really happy with the work ethic I’ve seen from everyone.”
Jackson and Rubin will be placed into the main draw of the tournament, while four other players, who are yet to be determined, will be entered into the qualifiers’ round.
“It’ll be nice to go and play some other people, to get a sense of where we stand,” Mees said.
At this point in the season, though, the emphasize is more on hard work than individual success.
“I wouldn’t single anyone out at this point,” said Mees. “All nine guys have worked really hard and made some good strides.”