The No. 5 Kentucky men’s tennis team (24-4) secured the program’s second-ever SEC Tournament title on Sunday evening at the Yarbrough Tennis Center, winning a nail-biting 4-3 match against No. 4 Georgia (20-6).
In a closely contested match, with the score tied at 3-3, all eyes turned to court five where Kentucky freshman Jaden Weekes demonstrated maturity beyond his years. Weekes won a third-set tiebreaker, clinching the Wildcats’ first SEC Tournament title since 1992.
“What a win for our program,” said head coach Cedric Kauffmann. “We had to battle through tough competition all weekend long, facing match points down against Tennessee and today. It is an unbelievable accomplishment.” Kauffmann praised his entire team and staff, crediting assistant coach Matt Gordon for the transformative impact he has had on the program.
Joshua Lapadat earned the tournament’s Most Valuable Player award after achieving a perfect 5-0 record between singles and doubles throughout the week. Weekes was also named to the All-Tournament Team for his championship-sealing performance.
Georgia initially took the lead, winning the doubles point after victories on courts one and three. However, the Wildcats fought back in singles, despite losing four of the six first sets. Lapadat quickly put a point on the board, defeating No. 119 Trent Bryde 6-2, 6-4 for his 20th singles victory of the season and his sixth against a ranked opponent.
After Georgia extended their lead to 3-1 with wins on courts six and one, Kentucky’s Ayeni initiated the comeback by defeating No. 15 Philip Henning 1-6, 6-3, 6-3. With the Wildcats trailing 3-2, both Baadi and Weekes refused to give in, breaking their opponents when down 4-5 and forcing play to continue. Baadi eventually tied the score at three by winning the match’s final three games, securing a 7-5 victory in the third set.
Finally, on court five, Weekes faced Miguel Perez Pena in a tiebreaker for the championship. After saving two match points, Weekes won the tiebreaker 9-7, ensuring Kentucky left with the trophy in hand.
“It’s amazing to play with these guys, to play for these guys,” said Weekes. “To clinch the SEC title, I don’t even believe it.”
The Wildcats now hold a 9-1 record this season in matches with a 4-3 score and a 2-1 record against top-five ITA opponents.
Doubles:
Court 1 – No. 7 Quinn/Bryde (UGA) def. No. 23 Ayeni/Baadi (UK): 6-4
Court 2 – No. 67 Lapadat/Mercer (UK) def. Giusca/Henning (UGA): 5-6 (unfinished)
Court 3 – Croyder/Johnston (UGA) def. Draxl/Weekes (UK): 6-3
Order of finish: 3, 1
Singles:
Court 1 – No. 4 Ethan Quinn def. No. 19 Liam Draxl (UK): 7-5, 6-2
Court 2 – No. 25 Alafia Ayeni (UK) def. No. 15 Philip Henning 1-6, 6-3, 6-3
Court 3 – No. 56 Joshua Lapadat (UK) def. No. 119 Trent Bryde: 6-2, 6-4
Court 4 – Taha Baadi (UK) def. No. 101 Blake Croyder: 3-6, 6-2, 7-6 (7)
Court 5 – Jaden Weekes (UK) def. Miguel Perez Pena: 3-6, 6-2, 7-6 (7)
Court 6 – Teodor Giusca def. Charlelie Cosnet (UK): 6-4, 6-3