The Case Western Reserve University men’s and women’s tennis teams kicked off the 2026 season this past weekend with strong performances across the board. The men opened in dominant fashion, compiling a perfect 4-0 record with victories over Wabash College, Anderson University, Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology and DePauw University. The women also started their campaign on a high note, securing a 5-2 win over Hope College to begin the year 1-0.
“What excited me most is just getting back with the guys and competing together again,” fourth-year men’s player Anmay Devaraj said. “I just love the team aspect. Having your brother’s back on the court, and knowing they’ve got yours too. When it’s tight, you’re not just playing for yourself, you’re playing for the guy next to you, and that’s what makes spring so fun and meaningful.”
The men enter the 2026 campaign riding the momentum of a dominant 29-6 season in 2024-25, which concluded with a runner-up finish to Denison University at the NCAA Division III Tournament. Although this past weekend marked the official start of the spring season, both teams competed in a limited slate of matches during the fall before transitioning into their offseason training.
“We’ve prepared by really leaning into our motto of doing uncomfortable things,” Devaraj said. “A lot of our practices have been built around handling pressure in those tight moments so just been doubling down on those. We talk about treating every practice as a national championship match, bringing that same energy, intensity, and focus everyday, and trusting that the results will take care of itself if we follow that.”
During the fall, the men’s team competed at the ITA Fall Regional Championship, posting a combined 14-6 record in singles and a 6-4 mark in doubles play. They carried that momentum seamlessly into the spring season.
The men’s team boasts a seasoned roster featuring 12 upperclassmen and 18 players who have experienced an NCAA Championship run. With a strong core of veteran leadership complemented by seven talented first-year additions, the Spartans are well-positioned to make another deep run in this year’s NCAA Tournament.
“After last year, losing in the national championship match to Denison, it definitely feels like we have something to finish,” Devaraj said. “That loss has definitely stuck with us. So I’d say I’m motivated and locked in. We’ve been there before and won the natty my freshmen year, so we know what it takes.”
Like the men, the women also competed in the ITA Fall Regional Championship from Sept. 19 to 21. They finished with a 14-9 overall record, including an 8-6 mark in singles and a 6-3 record in doubles play. The Spartans now face a challenging road to the NCAA Tournament, with eight matchups scheduled against teams ranked among the top 30 in the nation.
In contrast to the men, the women’s roster is primarily made up of underclassmen, with just two seniors and three juniors listed. Despite their youth, the Spartans feature 10 underclassmen—including seven first-years—who are ready to compete and help propel the team toward a national championship.
The CWRU men’s and women’s tennis teams are among the most successful programs in CWRU Athletics’ history. The men finished as national runners-up in 2021, 2022 and 2025, and made history in 2023 by becoming the first team in CWRU history to capture a national championship. As the men look to build on their historic success, the women are equally determined to carve out their own legacy and etch their names into the CWRU record books.
“I think it’s the mix of hunger and maturity,” Devaraj said. “We’ve had talented teams every year, but this group feels connected and really bought in. We have guys who’ve been deep in the tournaments and understand what it takes, and we also have new guys who bring a ton of energy and raise their level right away.”
Both teams continue their spring seasons this weekend with a full slate of matches. The women will take on the University of Rochester on Saturday (Feb. 14) before taking on Denison University on Sunday (Feb. 15).
The men will compete in four matches across two days, facing Kalamazoo College and Allegheny College on Friday (Feb. 13), followed by matchups against Lake Forest College and Rochester on Saturday (Feb. 14).
“My expectation is that we stay bought into our culture and keep each other accountable. It’s impossible for everyone to play a perfect match or have a perfect day but just staying relentlessly optimistic will take us really far,” Devaraj said. “Obviously as a team, we’ve set huge expectations and goals for this season, but we also know it’s a long season so it’s about staying consistent, getting better week by week, and being at our best when it matters most.”