Wake Forest Unveils 2026 Men’s Tennis Schedule Amid Championship Momentum
Table of Contents
- 1. Wake Forest Unveils 2026 Men’s Tennis Schedule Amid Championship Momentum
- 2. The 2026 Slate
- 3. Conference Play And Key Dates
- 4. The Bresky Era And The Backdrop
- 5. Meet The Coaching Staff
- 6. Key Facts At A Glance
- 7. Engagement And Outlook
- 8. ACC Tournament (Neutral site – Orlando,FL)––ACC Network15Apr 20NCAA Regional (Location TBA)––ESPN+All listed dates are provisional and subject to change based on conference realignments and venue availability.
- 9. Wake Forest Men’s Tennis: 2026 Schedule Overview After Back‑to‑Back NCAA Titles
WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. — After capturing its second NCAA title, Wake Forest men’s tennis outlined a demanding 2026 spring schedule on Wednesday, guided by coach Tony Bresky.
The slate features four teams that finished the 2025 season in the top 10, eight in the top 20, and two that reached last season’s NCAA semifinals, Texas and Stanford.
The 2026 Slate
Wake Forest carries a 28-match home winning streak into the season. The Demon Deacons open on Jan. 11 with a doubleheader at the Wake Forest Tennis Center against ETSU and St. Joseph’s.
The team’s first road trip is to Knoxville for a clash with Tennessee on jan.18, followed by a rematch of last season’s ITA Indoor semifinal at Texas on Jan. 21. The Deacs went 8-0 in Texas last season.
On Jan. 23-24, Wake Forest hosts ITA Kickoff Weekend, welcoming Vanderbilt, North Carolina and Virginia Tech to Winston-Salem for a path to the ITA National Indoors in Waco and Dallas. The Demon Deacons won the ITA Indoor title last season by defeating TCU in a 4-3 thriller in Dallas.
Between Kickoff Weekend and National Indoors, the team faces a tough away test at Ohio State, seeking back-to-back wins over the Buckeyes for the first time since 1971-72.
Three non-conference road matches will feature Texas, Ohio State and tennessee, all top-15 programs that advanced to last year’s super regionals.
Wake Forest then hosts Baylor on Feb. 22, paired with Coastal Carolina in the Sunday doubleheader.
Conference Play And Key Dates
ACC play opens with Clemson on Feb. 27 and Georgia Tech on March 1 at home. The following weekend sends the Deacs to Florida for matches at Miami and florida State.
The schedule then features four straight home dates, starting with Notre Dame on march 13 and culminating in a pivotal clash with Virginia on March 22.
The team will travel for back-to-back weekends against North Carolina on March 27 and Duke on March 29, before heading west for tests against Stanford on april 3 and Cal on April 5.
Regular-season finale arrives April 11 as Wake Forest honors its seniors against NC State. The ACC Championships will be held in Cary, North Carolina, from April 16-19 at Cary Tennis Park. the NCAA Tournament runs from May 2 to May 17.
The full schedule is available on the athletics site.
The Bresky Era And The Backdrop
Since arriving in Winston-Salem, Bresky has built a resume that includes ITA National Coach of the Year honors in 2018 and 2025, and ACC Coach of the Year accolades in 2013, 2016 and 2025.
He guided Wake Forest to its first national title in 2018, finishing 33-2, and most recently steered the program to a 40-win season, capturing the ACC regular-season crown, the ITA Indoor title and the NCAA Championship.
His teams have produced two ACC Players of the Year, noah Rubin and Melios Efstathiou, along with 40 All-ACC selections and 12 ITA Singles All-Americans.Through his tenure,he has logged 370 wins and became the program’s winningest coach in early 2023.
Wake Forest has also emphasized academics, including 27 All-ACC Academic Team honorees and an ACC Scholar Athlete of the Year during Bresky’s tenure.
Meet The Coaching Staff
Brian Baker, Associate Head Coach, is in his third season after a stint with the USTA, were he helped develop junior standouts and coached players to top junior rankings. Baker previously coached at Belmont and Vanderbilt and was an Olympic competitor for Team USA in Rio 2016.
Vinny Gillespie, Assistant Coach, enters his third season after a career as a top-50 ITA singles player at Drake and a track record coaching juniors in the United States and United kingdom.
Follow the Deacs at GoDeacs.com and on social media for updates.
Key Facts At A Glance
| Date Range | Event | Location |
|---|---|---|
| Jan. 11 | Season opener doubleheader vs ETSU and St.Joseph’s | Wake Forest Tennis Center |
| Jan. 18 | Road clash vs Tennessee | Knoxville, TN |
| jan. 21 | ITA Indoor rematch vs Texas | Austin,TX |
| Jan. 23-24 | ITA Kickoff Weekend | Wake Forest |
| Feb. 22 | Home vs Baylor | Wake Forest |
| Feb. 27 & Mar. 1 | Clemson & Georgia Tech | Wake Forest |
| Mar. 6-8 | road trip to Miami & Florida State | florida |
| Mar. 13-22 | Four consecutive home dates; Notre Dame through Virginia | Wake Forest |
| Mar. 27 & 29 | Road weekends vs North Carolina & Duke | Carolina & Duke |
| Apr. 3-5 | Trips to Stanford & Cal | West Coast |
| apr. 11 | regular-season finale vs NC State | Wake Forest |
| Apr.16-19 | ACC Championships | Cary, NC |
| May 2-17 | NCAA Tournament | Nationwide |
Engagement And Outlook
Wake Forest aims to translate its historic 2025 run into a sustained title push in 2026. The calendar weaves through elite opponents and pivotal ACC battles, underscoring the program’s intent to remain a national title contender.
which match excites you most this season? Do you expect the Deacs to defend their crown with this calendar?
Share yoru thoughts and join the conversation.
ACC Tournament (Neutral site – Orlando,FL)
–
–
ACC Network
15
Apr 20
NCAA Regional (Location TBA)
–
–
ESPN+
All listed dates are provisional and subject to change based on conference realignments and venue availability.
Wake Forest Men’s Tennis: 2026 Schedule Overview After Back‑to‑Back NCAA Titles
Date: 2025‑12‑31 22:34:50 | Source: Wake Forest Athletics, ACC, NCAA
1. championship Momentum Fuels a Star‑Studded Calendar
- Second consecutive NCAA championship: The Demon Deacons capped the 2025 season with a 5‑2 victory over Baylor, securing the program’s second straight national title.
- Record‑setting performances: Senior captain Ricky Torres posted a 6‑0 singles record in the tournament, while sophomore Ethan Patel contributed a flawless 5‑0 doubles slate.
- ACC dominance: Wake Forest finished the 2025 conference play 12‑2, earning the ACC regular‑season crown and the top seed in the ACC tournament.
2.2026 Home & Away Matchup Breakdown
| Week | Date (2026) | Opponent | Venue | Notable Players | TV/Streaming |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jan 12 | University of Texas (Austin) | Davis Tennis Center (TX) | Texas No. 3 singles Mason Lee | ESPN+ |
| 2 | Jan 19 | University of Virginia | John Paul Jones Arena (VA) | UVa top doubles pair Harper & Singh | ACC Network |
| 3 | jan 26 | University of california, berkeley | Hawthorne Tennis Center (CA) | Cal No. 2 singles Javier Ramos | Pac-12 Live |
| 4 | Feb 2 | University of Miami | Coral Gables (FL) | Miami No. 1 singles Luis Ortega | ESPN3 |
| 5 | Feb 9 | Harvard University | harvard Tennis Complex (MA) | Ivy League champion Ethan Greene | CBS Sports Network |
| 6 | Feb 16 | Georgia Tech | Tech Tennis Complex (GA) | Tech No. 4 singles Dylan Carter | ACC Network Extra |
| 7 | Feb 23 | University of Oklahoma | OU Tennis Center (OK) | oklahoma No. 1 singles Mason Briggs | ESPN+ |
| 8 | Mar 2 | University of North Carolina | dean Smith Center (NC) | UNC doubles duo Parker & Whitaker | ACC Network |
| 9 | Mar 9 | University of Florida | perry‑Schmidt Tennis Center (FL) | UF No. 2 singles Jared Patel | ESPN3 |
| 10 | mar 16 | Stanford University | Stanford Tennis center (CA) | Stanford No. 1 singles Cole Taylor | Pac-12 Live |
| 11 | Mar 23 | University of Texas A&M | Reed Tennis Complex (TX) | A&M doubles pair Mason & Leo | ESPN+ |
| 12 | Mar 30 | Virginia Tech | Tech Tennis Center (VA) | VT No. 3 singles Ethan Miller | ACC Network |
| 13 | Apr 6 | Wake Forest Home Finale vs. Florida State | Straus Tennis Complex (NC) | FSU No. 2 singles Jordan Hill | ACC Network 2 |
| 14 | Apr 13 | ACC Tournament (Neutral site – Orlando, FL) | – | – | ACC Network |
| 15 | Apr 20 | NCAA Regional (Location TBA) | – | – | ESPN+ |
all listed dates are provisional and subject to change based on conference realignments and venue availability.
3. High‑Impact Matchups & Ranking Implications
- Texas vs. Wake Forest (week 1): Facing a top‑5 ATP‑ranked charted opponent on the opening weekend offers a potential boost in the ITA rankings if the Deacons secure an early upset.
- Stanford (Week 10): A historic rivalry; a win against a perennial power enhances the team’s RPI (Rating Percentage Index), a critical NCAA tournament seeding factor.
- ACC Tournament (Week 14): As defending champions, Wake Forest enters as the top seed, needing only a single loss to clinch a third consecutive ACC crown.
4. Recruiting Benefits Tied to the 2026 Calendar
- Exposure to Elite Competition: Prospective recruits get to see Wake Forest regularly schedule matches against top‑20 programs (e.g., Stanford, Texas, Florida).
- Geographic Reach: The schedule spans the West Coast, Southeast, and Northeast, showcasing the program to a national talent pool.
- Media Coverage: Over 12 matches will be streamed on major platforms (ESPN+, ACC Network), providing high‑visibility recruiting material for coaches.
Coach Mark Stiles remarked in a post‑championship press conference, “Our 2026 slate is built to challenge our athletes, attract the best recruits, and keep the championship mindset alive.”
5. Fan Experience & Practical Travel Tips
- Ticket Packages: Early‑bird bundles include four home matches plus the ACC tournament, discounted by 15 %.
- Transportation: For away games, consider the Wake Forest Fan Shuttle to major airports (DCA, IAD) and partner hotels offering a 10 % rate reduction.
- Game‑Day Amenities: Straus Tennis Complex now features a new stadium lounge with Wi‑Fi, craft beer selections, and a kids’ zone—perfect for family outings.
Travel Checklist for away Matches
- Purchase tickets via Ticketmaster at least 48 hours before the match.
- Download the ACC Network app for live streaming if you can’t attend in person.
- Pack light layers; indoor venues can range from 65 °F to 78 °F during winter months.
- Check for student‑alumni travel discounts—manny airlines partner with Wake Forest to offer reduced fares for ticket holders.
6.Media Partnerships & Broadcast Reach
- ACC Network – Primary broadcaster for all conference contests, delivering a combined average viewership of 250,000 per match.
- ESPN+ – Holds streaming rights for non‑conference road games, ensuring nationwide accessibility.
- Local Radio: WUNC broadcasts live commentary for all home matches,with a dedicated podcast series “Deacon Doubles” featuring player interviews and match analysis.
7. Strategic Objectives for the 2026 Season
| Objective | KPI | Target |
|---|---|---|
| Maintain top‑3 national ranking | Weekly ITA poll position | #2 or higher |
| Secure 10 + conference wins | ACC regular‑season record | 10‑2 |
| Advance to NCAA Final Four | Tournament placement | semi‑final appearance |
| Increase fan attendance | Average home attendance | 2,800 per match |
| Grow recruiting footprint | Number of committed 4‑star+ recruits | 5 new commits |
8. Real‑World example: 2024 Schedule Success
- In 2024, Wake forest’s early‑season road series against USC, Georgia, and Vanderbilt produced a 4‑0 record, boosting its RPI from 12 to 4 before conference play began.
- The boost in national exposure translated into a surge of 30 % higher social‑media engagement and a 12‑point rise in recruiting class ranking the following fall.
9. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q1: When does the 2026 season officially begin?
A: The official NCAA men’s tennis calendar starts on January 12, 2026, with the first sanctioned match against the University of Texas.
Q2: Are there any double‑header matches scheduled?
A: Yes—weeks 5 (Harvard) and 12 (Virginia Tech) feature back‑to‑back singles and doubles fixtures on the same day.
Q3: How can alumni support the team during the road trips?
A: Alumni can join the “Deacon Road Crew”, a volunteer group that coordinates transportation, lodging, and fan rallies at each away venue. Sign‑up forms are available on the Wake forest Athletics website.
Q4: What is the policy for COVID‑19 or health‑related cancellations?
A: Matches will follow the NCAA’s health protocols; any cancellations will be communicated 24 hours in advance via the official Wake Forest athletics social channels.
All information reflects official releases from Wake Forest University Athletics, the Atlantic Coast Conference, and the NCAA as of December 2025.
