Fantastic four Bulldogs compete again
Mississippi State’s fantastic four will take the court once again in Orlando, Fla. next week.
Senior men’s tennis players Nuno Borges, Strahinja Rakic, Niclas Braun and junior Giovanni Oradini begin competition at the NCAA Division I Individual Championships today.
After losing in the Round of 16 as a team to TCU a couple of weeks ago, the Bulldogs are chomping at the bit to get back on the court for competition.
College tennis gives players the chance to continue their careers a little longer as individuals even though the team is eliminated.
“This is probably the best college tournament we have in the year,” Rakic said. “The best players in the country play. We are excited to play against the best players in the country.”
MSU men’s head coach Matt Roberts is thankful that Borges, Braun, Oradini and Rakic get that opportunity. He would like for them to take it as far as they can.
“It doesn’t last forever and sometimes it will end quicker than you think in your mind or expect,” Roberts said. “I think they are just trying to marinate in the moment as long as they can and appreciate what they have in front of them and compete. I remind them that it’s all about improving, another opportunity to get better and apply what they’ve been working on. It’s a part of the process.”
Rakic and Borges will be one of the doubles duos representing the Bulldogs along with Braun and Oradini. Oradini and Borges will also be in the singles draw.
Braun said this is a time to just relax and play tennis now that he’s already graduated from MSU.
“This is icing on the cake with one last time competing with my brothers,” Braun said. “I won’t take it for granted and will try to enjoy every minute.”
Braun and Oradini have already experienced some success as a doubles tandem. They were quarterfinalists at the 2018 Oracle ITA National Fall Championships and were 2018 ITA Southern Region Doubles champions.
Oradini hopes the final run with Braun and the rest of the seniors will be a successful one.
“I’m really thankful to compete with three seniors one last time,” Oradini said. “I’m looking forward to competing this year and against the best players in the country.”
Borges is one of the favorites in the men’s draw to claim the doubles and singles championship as he is seeded fifth in both.
On Sunday, Borges received the Intercollegiate Tennis Association National Senior Player of the Year award.
“It is an indescribable feeling to be recognized with such an incredible award,” Borges said in a school release. “I’m very happy and am so thankful for all of my coaches and teammates who have helped me get to this point. It has been an honor to represent Mississippi State over the last four years.”
Borges enters the NCAA Individual Championships with a career-long 26-match winning streak in singles and faces No. 21 Alexis Galarneau of North Carolina State at 10 a.m.