M. Tennis Hosts Annual Alumni Friendly

The men’s tennis team, which was nationally ranked for the first time this season at No. 62, will remain at home this weekend to host the annual Varsity/Alumni Friends match at the Dick Savitt Tennis Center. This annual friendly features some of the players from the program’s past and present.

“There are guys from the past,” head coach Bid Goswami said, “and the guys who are around. It’s all a very laid-back affair. They come and they get to do whatever they please. Singles, doubles, but more than anything else, I want them to feel comfortable, meet the new guys, talk about old times, food, and laughter.”

The competition can escalate, though, as there is often pride on the line for alumni and elder players.

“The varsity team has never lost a match to an alum,” Goswami said. “If they are winning, I just make them keep playing so we win all the sets. Sometimes we will win 21-20, so it’s a fun thing, and it’s a good time.”

The annual meet also allows recently graduated members of the team to return to the tennis complex and see their coaches and teammates.

“Mark Clemente will be the only guy here from last year’s team,” Goswami said, “since Justin [Chow] is in Hong Kong, and Jared [Drucker] is playing on the professional tour and is in South America right now. There will be some recent guys though—the Moore brothers, Paul Ratchford, and Rajeev Emany will all be there.”

For the head coach, the event also represents an important link between the program’s past and future.

“I think it means a lot to the guys,” Goswami said. “I feel it’s a good way of meeting some of the older guys, and to learn some of the history of the program.

“I think it’s one of the good parts of being here longer,” Goswami—who is in his 27th year at the helm of the program—continued. “Guys get to have the connection through me. There are even guys who come from the ‘50s and the ‘60s who I didn’t teach, but are still involved in the program.”

The Varsity Alumni match is scheduled to begin Saturday at 1 p.m. at the Dick Savitt Tennis Center.