Next-Gen Talent with Familiar Names
The recent ITA Men's National Team Indoor Championship wasn't just a battle for collegiate supremacy; it was a thrilling glimpse into the future of professional tennis, laced with echoes of its celebrated past.
Key Takeaways
- A record number of college players at the ITA National Indoor Championship boast direct ties to ATP and WTA Tour legends.
- Jagger Leach (son of Lindsay Davenport) and Nico Godsick (son of Mary Joe Fernandez) teamed up for Stanford, creating a full-circle moment for their Hall of Fame mothers.
- Ohio State's Bryce Nakashima and Preston Stearns showcased their burgeoning talent, following in the footsteps of their active pro siblings.
- The event underscored college tennis's growing importance as a critical pathway to the pro tour for these legacy athletes.
In a fascinating twist of fate, the ITA Men's National Team Indoor Championship at Southern Methodist University (SMU) showcased a compelling generational overlap. The tournament, ultimately won by the University of Texas with a 4-2 victory over Ohio State, saw no less than seven players with direct family ties to current or former ATP and WTA Tour professionals.
Ohio State's roster alone featured two such talents. Junior Bryce Nakashima, younger brother to ATP world No. 29 Brandon Nakashima, battled fiercely at the No. 5 singles position. Meanwhile, redshirt junior Preston Stearns, whose sister is WTA world No. 58 Peyton Stearns, fought valiantly to keep the Buckeyes' hopes alive in his No. 2 singles match.
When Legends' Legacies Team Up
One of the most heartwarming stories unfolded on opening day at SMU, where former WTA Tour doubles partners Lindsay Davenport and Mary Joe Fernandez watched their sons, Jagger Leach (Stanford) and Nico Godsick (Stanford), clinch a crucial doubles point against Arizona State. This partnership brought a touch of nostalgia and immense pride to the tennis icons.
Mary Joe Fernandez, a 1996 Roland Garros doubles champion alongside Davenport, articulated the surreal feeling: "It was super exciting to see Nico and Jagger playing together and for me to have Lindsay—who was my best friend while playing and we were doubles partners, to now watch our sons... play on the same team is a little surreal." She noted that even her sister was captivated by the live stream, recognizing the unique generational connection.
More Pro Pedigrees on Display
The championship was a veritable family affair. Baylor senior Luc Koenig, son of former ATP Tour doubles pro Robbie Koenig, delivered a clutch performance, winning his No. 5 singles match to help the Bears upset top seed Wake Forest 4-3 and advance to the semifinals. Arizona State senior Shu Matsuoka, whose father is former world No. 46 Shuzo Matsuoka, also left his mark.
Looking ahead, the next wave continues with Emanuel Ivanisevic, son of 2001 Wimbledon champion and former world No. 2 Goran Ivanisevic, committed to join Wake Forest for the 2026 fall season.
The College Path: A Proving Ground
The prevalence of these storied surnames highlights a significant trend: college tennis is increasingly viewed as a vital stepping stone for aspiring professionals. As Mary Joe Fernandez succinctly put it, "There are a lot of former professionals who now have children playing and it’s great to see. I love that college tennis is now such a good platform and steppingstone into pro tennis."
This championship demonstrated that while talent may be inherited, the drive and dedication to succeed are forged on the collegiate courts, offering a compelling blend of tradition and future promise.
Collegiate Players with Tour-Pro Family
- Bryce Nakashima (Ohio State); Brother, Brandon Nakashima (ATP Active)
- Preston Stearns (Ohio State); Sister, Peyton Stearns (WTA Active)
- Jagger Leach (Stanford); Mother, Lindsay Davenport; Father, Jon Leach
- Nico Godsick (Stanford); Mother, Mary Jo Fernandez
- Luc Koenig (Baylor); Father, Robbie Koenig
- Shu Matsuoka (Arizona State); Father, Shuzo Matsuoka
- Trevor Svajda (SMU); Brother, Zachary Svajda (ATP Active)
- Julian Alonso (TCU); Father, Julian Alonso
