After a lot of anticipation, the 2024 dual-match tennis season is officially underway for No. 8 Duke. The Blue Devils concluded their opening weekend on a positive note, defeating Princeton 4-3 and N.C. Central 7-0.
It was an exciting start of the season for Duke, as the team won its first match against a competitive VCU team Saturday. The Blue Devils managed to pull through 4-3 after junior Jake Krug won the tie-breaking game in a crucial third set.
In the newly renovated Sheffield Indoor Tennis Center and with a new face, the 15th-ranked Blue Devils opened their 2024 season with a 5-2 win against SMU Saturday afternoon.
The series in Chapel Hill was an uphill battle for the Blue Devils, but there were certainly signs of improvement, particularly from Jackson, who showcased her ability to rise to the occasion once again.
Duke’s men’s and women’s teams competed in the ITA All-American Championships last week, one of the biggest collegiate tournaments of the fall. The men played in Tulsa, Okla., and the women in Cary, N.C. The men impressed, making the quarterfinals in doubles and the round of 16 in singles while freshman Shavit Kimchi took down her third top-30 opponent in singles.
The fall tennis season is officially here, and the Blue Zone takes a look at the start for one of the top programs in the country.
Star Duke women’s tennis player Chloe Beck will not return to the team for her fifth year of eligibility, she announced on the podcast No-Ad, No Problem Sept. 18. Duke athletics later confirmed the news in an email to The Chronicle.
Senior Chloe Beck was the only Duke player to receive first-team honors, with Georgia Drummy and Emma Jackson receiving third-team honors. In doubles, Beck and Ellie Coleman were picked for the third team.
Freshman Pedro Rodenas remarkably advanced to the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Singles Championships, while senior Garrett Johns fell in the first round. They teamed up in doubles and advanced to the round of 16 as well.
Despite glimpses of hope and endurance shown by the Blue Devils, their season came to an end at the NCAA Singles Championships in a disappointing fashion and was mismatched with their strong regular season.
Duke struggled to gain any sense of momentum against the Cavaliers, losing 4-0 amid rain delays and thunderstorms.
Every week, the Blue Zone breaks down an outstanding spring athlete, looking at their weekly performance and their season as a whole. Up next is Pedro Rodenas.
The Blue Devils swept their weekend with confident wins against UNC Wilmington and Cornell for their first Sweet 16 berth since 2015.
After a quick sweep of William & Mary Friday evening at home to advance to round two of the NCAA tournament, the sixth-seeded Blue Devils ended their season in a heartbreaking loss to UCLA Saturday evening.
As both Duke men’s and women’s tennis teams are hosting the opening rounds of the NCAA tournament, the Blue Zone previews the postseason matchups.
On Monday, head coach Ramsey Smith and freshman Pedro Rodenas earned ACC Coach of the Year and ACC Rookie of the Year distinctions, respectively, while senior Garrett Johns was named to the All-ACC singles first team and the All-ACC doubles first team alongside Rodenas.
Duke's ACC run came to an end Sunday, as the top-seeded Cavaliers took the doubles point and controlled singles to claim the crown.
Thanks to Dale's heroics on court five and a spirited singles effort by the Blue Devils as a whole, head coach Ramsey Smith's team is headed back to the ACC tournament final for the first time since 2012.
Playing without senior Chloe Beck, the Blue Devils faltered in their first ACC tournament matchup out in Cary, N.C.
After a Friday triumph at home against Miami, No. 13 Duke flaunted its on-court brilliance with a 4-3 win against No. 19 Florida State Sunday evening at Ambler Tennis Stadium.
