Baylor Men's Tennis Freshman Devin Badenhorst to Participate in Davis Cup

[Ingram, Brent]

BAYLOR ATHLETIC COMMUNICATIONS – July 20, 2023

MT’s Devin Badenhorst to Participate in Davis Cup
Badenhorst Chosen as one of Four to Represent South Africa

For more information contact: Brent Ingram; 210-845-8651, brent_ingram at baylor.edu<mailto:brent_ingram at baylor.edu>



WACO, Texas -- Incoming Baylor men’s tennis freshman Devin Badenhorst has been selected as one of four players to represent his home nation of South Africa in the Davis Cup, known as the World Cup of Tennis.



Badenhorst will compete for South Africa in the prestigious event, including Philip Henning, Leo Matthysen and Dylan Salton. Badenhorst is the youngest South African team member and is making his second appearance in the Davis Cup, also participating in Feb. of 2022.



A native of Pretoria, South Africa, Badenhorst signed with the Bears with a Universal Tennis Rating of 12.87 and was the highest-ranked South African juniors player in his age bracket. He ascended to as high as No. 23 in the ITF juniors rankings, owning nine singles and six doubles titles.



“We are excited that Devin will have another opportunity to represent his home country of South Africa in Davis Cup next month,” Woodson said. “To be regarded as one of the top tennis players in your country is a huge accomplishment but it’s even more incredible to be able to wear your country’s colors in competition. Every opportunity our players can get to participate in events like this is special and we look forward to supporting Devin as he looks to help his country ascend to Group 2.”



Badenhorst has had a busy summer, competing in tournaments in England, Egypt and Tunisia.



The Bears have significant South Africa connections in the program, including Badenhorst and sophomore Luc Koenig, a native of Durban. Associate Head Coach Izak van der Merwe, a native of Johannesburg, is in his sixth season with the Bears. van der Merwe, who was an All-American at Old Dominion, and later inducted into the ODU Hall of Fame, competed with South Africa in 13 Davis Cups, from 2006-14. Baylor’s Director of Operations, Jacqui Haddock, in her 16th year, is a native of Port Elizabeth.



South Africa has won the Davis Cup once in its history, in 1974 and has been participating in the event since 1913.



The Davis Cup Africa Group III will begin on Aug. 23 in Pretoria and will feature Algeria, Benin, Namibia, Senegal, Togo, Ivory Coast, South Africa and Zimbabwe. It will feature two round-robin groups of four, with three teams promoted.



The Davis Cup is run by the International Tennis Federation (ITF) and is played annually with teams from over 140 countries. The winners, dubbed the World Champions, and featured 155 nations in 2022. Canada owns the current title, besting Australia to claim the championship in 2022. The best 18 national teams earn a bid intot he World Group and nations that are not in the World Group will compete in one of three regional based zones (Americas, Asia/Oceania, Europe/Africa). Each match is played as the best of five matches, featuring four singles and one doubles. Groups I and II will play elimination rounds, with losing teams facing relegation to the next-lower group, while Group III and Group IV play in the round-robin format with promotion and relegation.



- BaylorBears.com -


--
Brent Ingram | Assistant AD for Communications
Men’s Tennis Sport Program Administrator
Department of Athletics | Baylor University
C: 210-845-8651

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