The year is early and already former Kentucky tennis standout Jesse Witten has garnered a couple of early season honors. On Sunday, Witten captured the Grand Slam Men?s Futures of Tampa in Tampa, Fla. The 2002 national singles finalist has also been named to the 2006 USTA Rookie Pro Team.

The five-time All-American claimed the $10,000 prize by winning five matches in straight sets. This marked the second professional tournament Witten has won in the last five months. In September, the Naples, Fla., native claimed the Ecuador Futures tournament.

The victory in Fla. will move Witten into the top-400 of the ATP rankings for the first time in his career. Witten?s previous high ranking was No. 401 in Aug., 2005.