Elon Phoenix Men’s Tennis Hosts Campbell for Senior Day Showdown at Jimmy Powell Center
ELON, N.C. — The Elon University men’s tennis team returns to the Jimmy Powell Tennis Center this Wednesday for a pivotal Colonial Athletic Association (CAA) matchup against Campbell University. The 4:30 p.m. Contest carries added significance as the Phoenix prepare to honor their departing senior class during a pre-match ceremony scheduled to begin at 4:20 p.m.
Entering the match with a 4-11 overall record, Elon looks to capitalize on home-court advantage against a Campbell squad sitting at 7-10. The Camels arrive in Elon, N.C., looking to snap a three-match losing streak, while the Phoenix aim to build momentum following a competitive weekend that included a narrow loss to No. 56 Old Dominion. Admission for the Elon men’s tennis home contest is free for all spectators.
Senior Spotlight: Celebrating Career Achievements
The focal point of Wednesday’s event will be the recognition of seniors Oskar Antinheimo and Veljko Krstic, both of whom have left an indelible mark on the program. Krstic, a five-time All-CAA selection, concludes his tenure with 71 dual match wins, split between 44 in singles and 27 in doubles. His accolades include First Team Singles honors in 2024 and 2025, as well as the 2023 CAA Rookie of the Year award.
Antinheimo matches his counterpart’s longevity with 75 career dual victories, comprising 39 singles wins and 36 in doubles. A two-time All-CAA selection, Antinheimo earned Second Team Singles honors in 2024 and Second Team Doubles recognition in 2025. Together, the duo has accumulated five weekly conference honors each, highlighting their consistency at the collegiate level.
Krstic enters the match ranked No. 116 in the ITA singles poll, riding a four-match winning streak at the No. 1 singles position. His recent form includes a notable victory over Old Dominion, reinforcing his status as a cornerstone for the Phoenix lineup. Antinheimo has also shown resilience, winning three of his last five singles matches, including victories against Coastal Carolina and William & Mary.
Matchup History and Team Form
Wednesday marks the 17th meeting between the two programs, with Elon holding a dominant 14-2 advantage in the all-time series. The Phoenix have defeated the Camels at least once in each of the past four seasons, a streak highlighted by a quarterfinal win in the 2024 CAA Tournament. However, Campbell remains a dangerous opponent, having secured conference wins over Hampton and Hofstra this season.
Campbell head coach David Johnson, now in his 28th season with the program, leads a team that has struggled on the road recently with a 3-5 record away from home. Their singles lineup is led by Thomas Drapeau and Aleksandar Hudjec, who are tied for the team lead with eight singles wins each. Drapeau, primarily playing at the No. 1 position, boasts a ranked win against No. 9 NC State this spring.
For Elon, head coach Maciek Sykut is in his second year at the helm. The team is coming off a weekend of hard-fought home matches, including a 4-3 setback to Georgia Southern and a tightly contested battle against Old Dominion where the final two singles matches went to deciding third sets. Sophomore Rafael Ymer continues to be a bright spot for the Phoenix, leading the team with 18 total victories across singles and doubles this season.
What to Watch
Key battles to monitor include the No. 1 singles matchup, where Krstic’s current form will be tested against Campbell’s top players. In doubles, the Phoenix have won seven of 15 points this spring, with the pairing of Krstic and Nikola Parichkov securing two CAA Doubles Team of the Week honors this season. Campbell’s duo of Drapeau and Hudjec presents a challenge, holding a 5-1 record at the No. 2 doubles spot.
Elon has advanced to four straight CAA championship matches since 2022, though they have yet to secure the title against UNCW. A victory against Campbell would provide a crucial boost in the conference standings as the team looks toward the postseason.
The match is set for Wednesday, April 1, 2026, at the Jimmy Powell Tennis Center in Elon, N.C. Fans can follow live updates and further coverage through the Phoenix’s official social media channels on X (@ElonMTennis) and Instagram (elonmtennis).
