Tennis
Baylor’s Rising Star Shines in Tennis Season Opener
2025-01-14

Devin Badenhorst, a sophomore from Baylor University, has made an impressive start to the 2025 tennis season. His exceptional performance earned him the prestigious Big 12 Men’s Tennis Player of the Week award. In the Bears' double-header matches against Abilene Christian and Lamar, Badenhorst showcased his versatility by securing a flawless 3-0 record in both singles and doubles play. This remarkable achievement contributed significantly to Baylor's dominant 7-0 victories over both opponents.

The highlight of Badenhorst's performance came from his strategic partnerships in doubles play. Teaming up with Zsombor Velcz, he secured a commanding 6-1 victory on the top court against Lamar. Later, alongside Luis Jose Nakamine, he repeated this success on the third court against Abilene Christian, again with a decisive 6-1 win. In singles competition, Badenhorst faced Daniel Morozov of ACU on Court 1 and emerged victorious with scores of 6-2, 7-5. This accolade marks his first Conference weekly honor and places him alongside Tadeas Paroulek as one of only two Bears to receive this recognition since 2023.

Baylor's strong start to the season is no fluke; it represents the team's consistent excellence over the years. The Bears have now begun their season with a 2-0 record for the 19th time since 2000, boasting an impressive 19-1 record in season-openers since 2004. As they continue their non-conference schedule, fans can look forward to more thrilling performances. Baylor will host Wake Forest at the Hawkins Indoor Tennis Center in Waco, Texas, on Friday, January 17, at 1 p.m. CT. The success of players like Badenhorst underscores the importance of perseverance and dedication in achieving excellence in sports, inspiring young athletes everywhere to strive for greatness.

More Stories
see more