MSU men’s tennis is preparing for the season in the Big Ten Indoors

Michigan State men’s tennis will host the Big Ten Indoors Tournament last weekend at the MSU Indoor Tennis Facility in preparation for the upcoming season. This event was their last tournament until their regular season reopened in January, allowing them to get these preseason shakes out of the way.

“I had a nice nice first match,” redshirt senior Jack Winkler said. “It’s always nice to get nervous, all out of the way and be able to settle into deeper matches where the competition is really tough.”

Winkler also recognized the team’s growth and learning opportunities through the tournament and how it will prepare them for the upcoming season.

“This is our last college event for the season, so I think it’s a good time for us to look outside our games and find things we need to work out of season during the winter break and be able to Come fresh for the season and be able to compete really hard,” Winkler said.

For Winkler, throughout his college career, it’s his palm – something he’s worked on and wants to improve.

“It’s improved a lot since I first came here,” Winkler said. “Keep working to make it an effective weapon to help me in the spring.”

The Big Ten Indoors also offered a freshman Max Sheldon an opportunity to gain experience with a colleague at the team before starting his career in East Lansing. Prior to MSU, Sheldon was recruited by five stars and one of the most sought after players in the country.

“I’m just learning that I can be with these bigger guys,” Sheldon said. “It gives me a lot of confidence for the spring season. I think we can do a lot of good here. “

Sheldon learned how important it is not to give up and fight for every point he hopes to take during the season.

“So far, I’ve just kept fighting,” Sheldon said. “I was five match points weak today and I just didn’t give up. You have a team behind you, so you can surrender at any time, you can’t let them down. You have to keep fighting.”

It seems that the players are on each other’s backs and have embraced a culture where the match is never abandoned. At the start of the season, Michigan State tennis head coach Gene Orlando believes the team culture they have built will help the team succeed.

“Everyone pulls each other, the work for each other is really special,” Orlando said. “I think we just have to keep raising our game every day and take advantage of all the opportunities we have and put in the work and trust in the process.”

After last year’s 6-14 record, Spartans expect to recover as they open the season at home against Virginia Tech 14. January.