Matsumura Picks Up SEC Freshman of the Week Honors

LEXINGTON, Ky. – Following a week of consistent and dominant performances, Kentucky men’s tennis freshman Ryotaro Matsumura has been named Southeastern Conference Freshman of the Week for matches played from April 6 – 13.

The honor marks Matsumura’s second SEC Freshman of the Week honor this season – his first came on February 24.

The Wildcat rookie had a phenomenal week, going a perfect 4-0 in singles play between the top two courts, including three ranked wins during the period. Matsumura’s biggest win of the week came in the form of an upset of No. 44 Shane Vinsant, 6-3, 6-4 to score Kentucky’s first point against Texas A&M before the eventual 4-3 team upset. Earlier in the week, the freshman dropped just two games against No. 5 Ohio State’s 92nd-ranked Chris Diaz in a 6-1, 6-1 win. Matsumura also went on to earn his third ranked win of the week dropping just three sets to No. 95 Justin Butsch with a 6-2, 6-1 victory.

Matsumura’s play over the past week is no fluke – the now-No. 35 player in the country has been a model of consistency this season, leading the team with 18 singles victories. The first-year Wildcat has also been hot of late, with six straight victories in singles play. 

Kentucky will conclude the regular season this weekend, beginning with a matchup against the University of Florida in Gainesville, Fla., on Friday, April 15 at 5 p.m. ET. UK closes out the regular season by taking on the Auburn Tigers on Sunday, April 17, beginning at 2 p.m. ET in Auburn, Ala. 

For more information on the Kentucky men’s tennis team, follow @UKMensTennis on Twitter or Kentucky Men’s Tennis Team on Facebook.