The Tufts men’s tennis team has long been a powerhouse in Division III, consistently pushing for NESCAC and NCAA titles. Every season, the team welcomes a new wave of talent — players eager to prove themselves and leave their mark on the program. Whether it’s their energy, work ethic or undeniable confidence, these first-years are fitting right in with a squad filled with championship aspirations. Here’s what their teammates, and the players themselves, have to say about their transition to Tufts men’s tennis.
Welcome to the Big Leagues
For most first-years, the jump from junior tennis to college tennis is a significant one. “The biggest difference is that I’m now competing for a team rather than just for myself,” first-year Eren Cheung said. Coming from a background of International Tennis Federation junior tournaments, where individual results determine rankings and sponsorships, Cheung has had to adjust to the idea that every point matters — not just for him, but for Tufts as a whole.
Nico Tremblay, a first-year from Australia, has found the transition easier thanks to the tight-knit international culture of the team. “Since nine out of 10 guys on our team are international, it [makes] this team like a family away from home,” Tremblay said. “We’re all far from where we grew up, and [that bond] has really helped me integrate into Tufts school life.” The camaraderie among teammates has provided a sense of belonging that makes the high-pressure environment of collegiate tennis more manageable.
Meanwhile, first-year Stavros Mastrogamvrakis, who found recent success in the fall with his doubles play, has already seen significant improvements in his physical conditioning — an area the coaching staff has emphasized. “We’ve been training a lot, especially now in the off-season. … We have a lot of work outs like plyometrics, running and changing directions, using medicine balls. ... We are just working out our whole body [and] our bodies are adjusting to [these] changes, making us faster, bigger and stronger,” he said.
The Upperclassman Perspective
While the first-years are adjusting, the upperclassmen are watching closely. Junior Andrej Djokic hasn’t been shy about his expectations. “[To be honest], we expected more from them,” he admitted. “[But] there’s one guy who’s really putting in the effort outside of regular practices, and it shows on the court — that’s Stavros. I have ultra respect for him.”
Senior Vuk Vuksanovic, a key player in Tufts’ championship pursuits, reminisces on his own growing pains as a first-year. “I wasn’t always super dedicated,” Vuksanovic said. “[But] now I’m trying to be like those seniors who showed me the way when I was a freshman.”
For now, the upperclassmen are focused on guiding the first-years through that adjustment period. Sophomore Takehiro Shuda recalled his own struggles adjusting to the competitiveness of collegiate tennis. “In terms of competition, I think that just being able to deal with the pressure and being able to calm myself down at certain points [were] things that I struggled with freshman year,” he said. His advice for the current first-years is to stay present, embrace the pressure and trust the work put in during practice.
The Mental Game and Team Chemistry
One of the defining aspects of this Tufts squad is its tight-knit chemistry — a mix of camaraderie, competitiveness and relentless banter. All three were on display when first-year Andrey Ignatyev teased his teammates. “Stavros can’t handle the speed. Nico [Tremblay] can’t return my serve. Eren struggles with my returns. Bhavan [Balusu]’s not present,” he joked.
Tremblay had his own take on Ignatyev: “He really didn’t seem to care at all,” he said while laughing. “But he’s the best of us, which I inferred straight away from his relentless charisma. I remember the first time [seeing] his backhand, he strokes it really well.”
Meanwhile, Mastrogamvrakis highlighted the group’s camaraderie. “On and off the court, we’re best mates,” he said. Ignatyev, ever the instigator, quipped, “To be honest, I met him today. He kind of just walked into my room.”
Beyond the humor, the team’s chemistry fuels mental toughness. Djokic reinforced this: “Tennis is a sport that’s highly technical, physical and of course mental. … What differentiates the good players from the bad players is the mental part. There may be a point where you feel a lot of pressure and you need to make good shot selections [and] good decisions. I feel like the way we can work on this is always exposing ourselves to this competitiveness.”
First-year Bhavan Balusu found comfort in the team’s culture of accountability, where upperclassmen emphasized time management and academic discipline alongside rigorous training. “Everyone around is in the same shoes. A lot of people go to the library together to study together. Being part of that group [helps you] get your work done. [We] spend a lot of time together,” Balusu shared.
Looking Ahead: Championship Aspirations
The ultimate goal for Tufts men’s tennis this year is clear: Win the NESCAC Championship. The team has come painfully close in the past but has yet to break through.
Senior Derin Acaroglu believes the missing piece isn’t talent — it’s mentality. “We know we have the conditioning, we know we have the legs [but then] we get into that mindset of ‘oh we’re actually here, we’re finally about to win,’ but then sometimes that gets into our head,” he said.
With a mix of raw talent, confidence and a team culture that pushes players to be their best, this first-year class has all the tools to succeed. Whether they can help Tufts finally lift the conference trophy remains to be seen. But one thing is certain: They won’t be lacking in energy, personality or banter along the way.
How to Support the Team
As the season kicks into full gear, the team encourages students and fans to come out and support them. With the next big home game coming at the end of April against Middlebury, junior Sacha Maes emphasized the importance of a strong home atmosphere: “Keep showing us support, keep showing us love, that’s what keeps us going.”
With the Freshman fantastic five settling in and the upperclassmen leading the charge, Tufts men’s tennis is primed for an exciting season.
