Great expectations await the Blue Devils at Arthur Ashe Stadium.
The Blue Devils are off to Flushing, N.Y. to compete in the final tournament of the fall, the USTA/ITA National Indoor Tournament Championships, which is set to be held at the USTA Billy Jean King National Tennis Center starting Thursday. The team will send senior Henrique Cunha to compete in the singles draw, as well as sophomore Raphael Hemmeler who will compete alongside Cunha in the doubles draw.
There are high expectations for Cunha as the No. 1 singles player in the nation. Hemmeler, a first time qualifier, will also be held to a high standard. Based on past success on the court, the duo is looking to maintain their momentum as they compete against the nation’s top talent.
“We have great chemistry,” Cunha said. “We’re both really positive, we help each other on the court and I think we match well.”
As one of the top-ranked doubles pairs, Cunha and Hemmeler are in good position to take down competitors from across the country. Individually, though, all eyes are on Cunha in his fourth and final National Indoors Tournament of his Duke career.
Head coach Ramsey Smith said he has a special place in his heart for Cunha, who was his first recruit at Duke. He added that Cunha’s time with the team has made for fond memories.
“He’s the best recruit in the history of our program,” Smith said. “He has been one of our hardest workers, and one of the most respectful, and it has been fun watching him grow.”
Along with the development of his mechanics, Cunha has become a strong team leader and guides the younger players by setting a positive example.
Hemmeler aspires to do the same for the freshmen, as well as future recruits. As he gains more experience, he said he hopes that his leadership will mean as much to the team as Cunha’s presence has meant to him.
“[Cunha is] a great tennis player, but he’s also a great leader,” Hemmeler said. “He’s a perfect example of how you should try to be on and off the court.”
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