Men's Tennis 2026 Season In ReviewMen's Tennis 2026 Season In Review

Men's Tennis 2026 Season In Review

by Franki Noble

“Is this manufactured, or is this real? Spend five minutes with this team and its lightbulbs going off ‘oh, they’re always like this. This is just what this group is,’ said Alex Gruskin, reflecting on just how special the 2025-26 Knights squad proved to be.

And the Cracked Racquets representative wasn’t exaggerating. Five minutes around the UCF men’s tennis team this past season was all it took to feel the drive, the hunger and the held standard that powered the Black and Gold to yet another historic chapter in collegiate tennis.

Now firmly established as a top‑25 program, the Knights showed that last season wasn’t a one‑off surge, it was the foundation. The new era of UCF tennis has arrived, and this group made it clear: the standard has changed.

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RETURNING TALENT AND FRESH FACES

A perfect split of five returners and five newcomers to this year’s squad

With no graduating seniors the previous year, the Knights entered the season returning four seniors each in their fourth year in Black and Gold and one sophomore. With five roster spots to fill, Head Coach Lloyd Bruce-Burgess and Assistant Kareem Allaf quickly secured three impactful transfers and two elite freshmen.

Seniors Luca Hotze, Yassine Dlimi, Mehdi Benchakroun and Paul Colin made immediate contributions in their final campaigns. Dlimi, Benchakroun and Colin became reliable singles staples across the lineup, while Hotze found his stride in doubles alongside sophomore Nicolas Oliveira on court three. In singles, Oliveira rotated between courts five and six, once again delivering clutch performances in his second season.

Among the newcomers, transfers Wissam Abderrahman and Clement Lemire made strong early impressions with Abderrahman locking down court two and Lemire anchoring courts five and six. Abderrahman also reunited with Benchakroun in doubles, rekindling a partnership formed during their junior careers. Rounding out the transfer group was Kai-Luca Ampaw, who arrived from Gonzaga.

Freshman Pedro Rodrigues, the No. 4 newcomer entering the season, drew significant attention and rose to the challenge, earning a regular spot primarily on court four. Completing the ten-man roster, freshman Fadi Bidan joined the squad from Beirut, Lebanon.

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PERFECT NON-CONFERENCE SLATE

13-0 in regular season play against nonconference opponents; Not one dropped against Florida foes

The Knights opened their season with confidence, navigating their early schedule perfectly to produce an undefeated 13–0 non‑conference record. From the first match, it was clear the team had both depth and momentum, and they proved it with signature wins over then‑No. 18 Florida and No. 28 Clemson, two victories elevating their national profile.

Across those 13 matches, the Knights built their success on consistency. Ten wins came on home courts, where they established a rhythm and presence that opponents struggled to match. Two more victories were secured at neutral sites, and the lone true road match only reinforced the team’s ability to perform in any environment. Six of the non‑conference wins were clean sweeps, including a composed, high‑quality performance against then‑No. 21 USC at the ITA Kickoff Weekend in Berkeley.

Their dominance extended throughout the state of Florida. UCF did not drop a single match to an instate opponent all season, sweeping the regular‑season slate and continuing that trend into postseason play. The Knights posted a 6–0 mark against Florida programs, later adding a seventh win with a strong showing in the second round of the NCAA Tournament. Their list of in‑state victories included Florida, FGCU, South Florida—both home and away—Miami, and Florida Atlantic.

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BACK TO THE ITA INDOOR NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP

Big wins in the Golden State for a second consecutive appearance at National Indoors

With a ticket back to the ITA Indoor Championship on the line, the Knights traveled to Berkeley, Calif. with a point to prove — that they belonged amongst the best college tennis had to offer. The kickoff weekend began with a sweep of then No. 21 Southern California, which served as the program’s first ranked sweep since 2021. After seniors Colin and Dlimi clinched a tight doubles point in a 7-6 (4) tiebreak, the Knights carried that momentum into singles, where Benchakroun, Lemire and Dlimi delivered straight‑set victories to secure the 4-0 win.

Clinching a spot in the championship match, the Black and Gold turned their attention to the Sooners of Oklahoma, then ranked at No. 17, later finishing the season at No. 9. The championship match saw quite the dramatics, with the Knights completing a reverse sweep to punch their ticket to ITA Indoors. After dropping the doubles point for the first time this season and falling behind 0-3 in singles, the Knights surged back with straight‑set victories from Dlimi and Rodrigues, followed by a gritty three‑set comeback from Colin. With the match tied and everything riding on court five, Lemire delivered the decisive point, outlasting Alejandro Melero in a tense third set to clinch UCF’s return to the national stage.

“Qualifying for National Indoors is huge. It puts you within the top 16 teams in the country, which is where you always want to be as a program. Doing it the way we did, with a 4-3 win over what would be a top 10 team after being down 3-0, made it even more memorable.”

Lloyd Bruce-BurgessHead Coach

PERFECT AT USTA NATIONAL CAMPUS

Utilizing the home court advantage with a perfect 14-0 record at USTA

Men’s tennis has turned the USTA National Campus into a true home‑court fortress. A premier training and competition venue, the campus gives teams every resource imaginable and the Knights have squeezed every ounce of advantage from it. This season, they didn’t just play well at home, they owned their courts. UCF posted a flawless 14-0 regular‑season record in front of Knight Nation which made every home match feel like a statement. 

The dominance stretched across every type of matchup. The Knights went 10–0 against non‑conference opponents, while securing four wins over visiting Big 12 foes. Across the home slate, UCF delivered seven sweeps and toppled four ranked opponents, blending firepower at the top of the lineup with reliability all the way through the roster.

“Being undefeated at home shows the advantage we have here. Our supporters have been amazing and keep growing every year. We hope to keep this great run of form at home going.”

Lloyd Bruce-BurgessHead Coach

PROGRAM-HIGH IN THE RANKS

A peak of No. 8 marks the best in the Knights’ history

The Knights reached a new milestone during the week of February 19, climbing to No. 8 in the ITA Rankings, the highest team ranking in school history. The achievement came on the heels of the Knights’ second consecutive appearance at the ITA National Indoor Championship, reinforcing the program’s rapid rise under head coach Lloyd Bruce‑Burgess. UCF stood among the nation’s elite, firmly cementing themselves top‑ranked team in Florida and the highest‑ranked program in the entire southeast region in the ITA poll.

In addition to the historic ranking, the Knights also did not see a drop out of the top-15 throughout the entire season, jumping between spots 8-15 throughout the spring slate. The Knights completed the season at No. 13, while also having individuals appear throughout the spring in Dlimi and Abderrahman and doubles pairings in Colin and Dlimi as well as Benchakroun and Abderrahman.

 

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HONORING FOUR GREATS

Four-year seniors Luca Hotze, Yassine Dlimi, Mehdi Benchakroun and Paul Colin go out on a high note

The 2026 senior class left behind one of the most influential legacies in UCF men’s tennis history. Arriving during a period of transition and growth, these four helped usher in the Bruce‑Burgess era and became the foundation of a program that rose from the national mid‑60s into the top 10. Their leadership, consistency, and belief in the vision being built around them transformed UCF into a nationally respected contender and set a new standard for what Knights tennis could achieve.

Across four seasons, each senior carved out a distinct and lasting impact. Hotze, a Miami native and four‑year Knight, became a steady force in doubles, especially in his senior season alongside partner Nicolas Oliveira. Together, the pair delivered key wins—including a crucial point against No. 5 TCU—and helped solidify UCF’s doubles identity. Colin, one of the most versatile players in program history, competed at every spot in both singles and doubles and built a reputation for delivering in the biggest moments. From a nine‑match unbeaten streak as a junior to clinching matches against ranked opponents to boasting the best record on this season’s roster, Colin’s reliability and competitive fire made him a cornerstone of UCF’s rise.

Benchakroun elevated his game year after year, emerging as a captain, an All‑Big 12 First Team selection and one of only six Knights ever to surpass 100 combined career victories this season. His wins over top‑10 opponents and his clinch against Florida to send UCF to its first NCAA Sweet 16 became defining moments of the program’s ascent. Alongside him, Dlimi established himself as one of the most decorated players of the modern era. From earning AAC Freshman of the Year honors to becoming UCF Men’s Athlete of the Year, Dlimi consistently anchored the top courts, collecting marquee wins over top‑25 opponents and leading the Knights through some of their most memorable comebacks.

The seniors completed their time in the regular season at UCF in fitting fashion, securing a sweep against Big 12 opponent Oklahoma State on April 2.

“Our seniors stuck with a brand new, inexperienced coaching staff in 2023. They embody what it means to be a Knight. The milestones and records we have set over the past three seasons would not have been possible without them. They are irreplaceable.”

Lloyd Bruce-BurgessHead Coach
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POSTSEASON PLAY

Two postseason tournaments held at home; statement win in a comeback against the Gators  

Following a semifinal exit in the Big 12 Tournament, the Knights quickly turned their attention to the NCAA Tournament where they were tabbed with hosting duties for the first and second rounds for the second consecutive year.

The Knights quickly dealt with South Carolina State in the first round of the tournament, handing the Bulldogs a 4-0 sweep to clinch a spot in the second round, set to face a familiar foe in Florida.

A rainy day in Lake Nona, the match was moved to the indoor facility at the USTA National Campus. It seemed as if another season was about to be completed as the Knights dropped the doubles point then dropped two courts quickly in singles play, but the momentum shifted as UCF chipped away, showcasing resilience that has defined the Bruce‑Burgess era. Colin and Dlimi bookended the comeback, with Colin putting UCF on the board before Abderrahman and Lemire leveled the match at 3-3.

The three wins set the stage for a dramatic finish on court one, where Dlimi fought off two match points and forced a decisive tiebreak. With the crowd rising and his teammates lining the sideline, the senior delivered one final surge, sealing a 4–6, 6–4, 7–6(4) victory to complete the comeback and send the Knights back to the Super Regionals. Dlimi continued his winning ways, picking up the lone win against the reigning champions in Wake Forest, defeating one of college tennis’ best in DK Suresh on court one in Winston-Salem, capping off his four-year tenure in a fitting fashion.

“Hosting the first two rounds of NCAAs is a big advantage and something you work for all year by building your ranking. The team worked tirelessly and came through in huge moments to make it possible. Then making the Sweet 16 at NCAAs is a huge accomplishment for this program, especially after reaching our first one just last season. It is a meaningful and fitting way for this special senior class to end their season, amplified by the way we won.”

Lloyd Bruce-BurgessHead Coach

ABOUT UCF ATHLETICS
UCF is a proud member of the Big 12 Conference. Our mission is to positively transform the lives of our students academically, athletically, and personally through a nationally competitive intercollegiate athletics program that enhances the reputation and visibility of the University. We strive to be Florida's preeminent athletic program representing UCF and our community with distinction on the national stage as "Orlando's Hometown Team". To learn more about UCF and Athletics, please visit our websites at www.ucf.edu and www.ucfknights.com.