Gators Face Arkansas In Second Round Of SEC Tournament

The No. 32 Florida Gators men’s tennis team will make its 2025 SEC tournament debut in the second round tonight at 6 p.m. against Arkansas at the Carolina Tennis Complex in Columbia, South Carolina.

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In the first round, Arkansas defeated Ole Miss 4-2 to advance in the tournament. Arkansas lost the doubles point, but won four singles matches to secure the win.

Earlier this season, Florida (13-10, 8-6 SEC play) beat Arkansas (18-13, 4-10 SEC play) at the Alfred A. Tennis Complex. UF lost the doubles point, but four singles players won their matches, JanMagnus Johnson, Henry Jefferson, Kevin Edengren, Ben Weintraub, on courts three through six, resulting in a 4-1 win.

“It’s tough when you play a team second, third time,” coach Adam Steinberg said. “Whether we won or we lost, we have to approach it like we’re playing them for the first time and just be us. I think the focus right now is on the Gators, no matter who we play.”

Florida Postseason Mindset

Steinberg said he divides the season into three parts: pre-conference, conference play, and postseason. Postseason is a “clean slate” for the team.

“As the pressure mounts when you get into the post-season, we have to really come together when things get tough and not break away from each other,” Steinberg said. “That’s something really powerful and it should be our weapon as a team.”

Florida’s success in the regular season has been driven by their team bond and unity on and off the court.

“Our core values are that we’re going to play together better than anybody in the country with great energy and nobody will ever beat us in that area,” Steinberg said.

The team is excited for what is to come in the postseason Steinberg said.

“I always tell them [the postseason is] where memories are made,” Steinberg said.