Adhithya “Billy” Ganesan: Asset to Florida Men’s Tennis

Florida men’s tennis player Adhithya “Billy” Ganesan debuted for the Gators on January 19, 2024. As a sophomore, he is one of the key players for Florida playing on courts one and two. Ganesan has embraced the challenge of the SEC conference and flourished playing against the top opponents in the NCAA.

“He’s definitely one of our best players,” Florida coach Adam Steinberg said. “He had a great summer, improved a lot, and really got used to college tennis. His spirit has come out this year a lot more.”

Key Player for Florida

Ganesan has tapped into the ITA Rankings. He holds the 124th position in singles rankings and the No. 79 rank in doubles competition with teammate Tanapatt Nirundorn.

Ganesan works hard and stays committed to improving his game and overall strength.

“I’ve been working more on my serve and trying to play more aggressive, coming to the net, and my movement on court,” Ganesan said. “Been doing a lot of work in the gym and in the weight room to improve my game.”

Competing Against the Best

As a young player, Ganesan has taken on the responsibility of playing on high level courts against top ranked opponents, such as Columbia’s Michael Zheng, TCU’s Jack Pinnington, and Texas A&M’s Theo Papamalamis.

“Playing on courts one and two is definitely tougher,” Ganesan said. “There are a lot more people watching, and you’re in the middle of everything. But even when you’re not playing your best, you have to keep a good spirit and help keep your teammates in a good mental state.”

Individual Growth

In recent matches, home and away, Ganesan’s growth in his confidence has been evident.

“Last year, when he came in January, he wasn’t used to playing on the road in front of these hostile environments,” Steinberg said. “But he’s embraced it now. He enjoys it. That’s been huge for his development.”

Team Contribution

The team is very close-knit, contributing to Ganesan’s development as a tennis player.

“Probably the best part of playing at Florida is just being with the team,” Ganesan said. “We’re all really close, and we spend so much time together. Having that support is something I wasn’t used to before, but now I love it.”

On the court, Ganesan said he looks to teammates, such as Henry Jefferson, for energy. He also has a bond with doubles partner Nirundorn, which is evident on the court.

Ganesan has contributed a lot to Florida’s 12-8 overall record and 7-4 SEC record. Ganesan continues to improve his game and strive to be the best version for himself and his team as they are finishing up regular season matches.

“Tennis is his life and he wants it to be his future,” Steinberg said.