The UCF men’s tennis program has announced the addition of former captain Lleyton Cronje as an assistant coach prior in October 2025.
Cronje reunited with his former coaches, Bruce-Burgess and Kareem Allaf, now as colleagues, as he returned to the courts of the USTA National Campus, this time stepping into a new role as assistant coach.
“We are incredibly fortunate to have Lleyton join our staff,” Bruce-Burgess said. “His passion for UCF is unmistakable, as he represented the program with pride during his playing career, serving as team captain his senior year, and has continued to show unwavering support ever since.”
Cronje began his journey as a Knight as a transfer from VCU in 2021. From the beginning of his career at UCF, his high-energy play, leadership, and commitment to the Black and Gold were palpable and quickly made him a standout presence.
His partnership with fellow Knight Bogdan Pavel became a cornerstone of the team’s success. The tandem reached the second round of the NCAA Doubles Championships in 2023, the culmination of the two leading the team in both doubles and singles.
Cronje’s leadership proved invaluable during a pivotal season of transition. As Bruce-Burgess and Allaf entered their first year on staff, they inherited a young and evolving roster, one that quickly found its anchor in the Pretoria, South Africa, native. With Cronje at the forefront, the Knights launched a new era defined by resilience, growth, and unforgettable moments.
Over the course of his career, Cronje helped usher in this new stage for UCF Tennis, building up to his role as captain of the program’s inaugural Big 12 squad in 2024.
That year, Cronje helped lead the Knights to a 14-1 non-conference record, marking the best stint in program history. His leadership also led the Black and Gold to a fourth-place finish in the Big 12. His clutch performances, including a dramatic three-set tiebreak win over Oklahoma State’s Isaac Becroft to clinch UCF’s first Big 12 home victory, became defining moments of the season and Cronje’s legacy as a Knight.
AS AN ATHLETE
FIFTH YEAR (2023-24)
- Went 12-9 in singles and 11-10 in doubles during the spring.
- Featured on each of the front three courts, playing the majority on court two (14).
- Jumped out to a five-match winning streak to open the season from Jan. 15 to Jan. 27.
- Clinched a dramatic three-set tiebreaker against Oklahoma State’s 70th-ranked Isaac Becroft to secure UCF its first Big 12 home win.
- Defeated Florida’s 50th-ranked Jeremy Jin on court two in the Knights’ first-round triumph in the NCAA tournament.
- Bested Texas Tech’s 43rd-ranked Olle Wallin on court one to secure the third conference win.
- Defeated Florida State’s 13th-ranked tandem of Antoine Cornut-Chauvinc and Joshua Dous-Karpenschif in the second round of the NCAA Tournament alongside Santiago Giamichelle.
- Tabbed Big 12 Player of the Week on Jan. 23 after a 4-0 start, the first in program history.
- Secured a season-high placement of 20 in the ITA doubles rankings.
- Secured a season-high placement of 99 in the ITA singles rankings.
- Crowned ITA Southeast Regional Doubles Champion alongside partner Santiago Giamichelle.
SENIOR (2022-23)
- Went 8-11 in singles and 11-7 in doubles during the spring
- Advanced to the second round of the NCAA Doubles Tournament
- Defeated North Carolina’s Casey Kania and Ryan Seggerman 7-6(5), 7-6(4), in the first round
- Named All-Conference in doubles for the second consecutive season
- Named All-Conference in singles
- His 11 doubles wins matched his career high (11 in 2022)
- Ranked No. 26 alongside Bogdan Pavel on Apr. 4 and 18
- Defeated the seventh-ranked duo from Ohio State, 6-3, on Mar. 15
- Defeated the third-ranked duo from Texas, 6-3, on Mar. 18
- Won eight matches on court two in singles
- Dropped only two sets during a five-match winning streak from Mar. 22 to Apr. 7
JUNIOR (2022)
- Had a record of 10-10 in singles and 11-8 in doubles.
- Helped the Knights gain two points in both singles and doubles against Louisville.
- Helped Knights gain a point in singles against FSU.
- Defeated eighth ranked Stanford doubles team.
- Achieved the highest-ranking of no. 30 in doubles with Bogdan Pavel.
- Achieved another high doubles ranking no. 30 with Cooper White and defeated the number one ranked doubles team of Ohio State
- Was named All-Conference in doubles on May 05, 2022.
- Dean/President roll
SOPHOMORE (2020-21, AT VCU)
- Atlantic 10 Performer of the Year
- All-Atlantic 10 First Team
- Atlantic 10 Performer of the Week honors: March 24
- Had a breakout sophomore campaign with a 12-4 singles record including a 10-3 mark in the No. 1 position
- Tallied a 10-7 doubles record
- Entered the ITA Singles Rankings at No. 79 for the first time in his career on April 14
- Competed in the first round of the NCAA Championships
- Led VCU to Atlantic 10 Championship
FRESHMAN (2019-20, AT VCU)
- Logged an overall singles record of 13-8 and a combined doubles record of 8-8
- Picked up his first collegiate singles victory against Richmond on Jan. 29
- Reached the Round of 32 in the ITA Atlantic Regional