Collegiate Stars Dominate Tennis at 2025 FISU World University Games, Claim 17 Medals
When Eszter Meri clinched the Women’s singles gold at the 2025 FISU World University GamesETUF Tennisanlage on July 25, she didn’t just make history—she rewrote it. The Texas Longhorn became the first tennis player from her school to win gold at the event, and only the second ever to stand on the podium, joining Kelly Pace’s 1995 bronze. Meri’s 6-3, 1-6, 7-5 win over Alevtina Ibragimova wasn’t just a match—it was a statement. And it wasn’t even the only headline that day.
Collegiate Powerhouse, Global Stage
The 2025 FISU World University GamesRhine-Ruhr 2025 unfolded across six German cities from July 16 to 27, with tennis taking center stage at the clay courts of Essen from July 17 to 26. What made this edition extraordinary wasn’t just the competition—it was the depth of U.S. collegiate representation. More than 40 schools sent athletes, from powerhouses like Texas, UCLA, and Stanford to lesser-known programs like Denison University and UNC Greensboro. And they didn’t just show up—they dominated.
Japan’s Oby Ange Kajuru, representing Oklahoma State University, and her doubles partner Kanon Yamaguchi swept the Women’s doubles title in a dramatic three-set final against Chinese Taipei’s Yu-yun Li and Fang-an Lin. It was a perfect blend of American grit and Japanese precision. Meanwhile, Jay Friend of the University of Arizona won Men’s singles gold for Japan, turning heads in a field that included top-ranked collegiate players from Europe and Asia.
Medal Table Shakeup and Unexpected Alliances
The medal standings told a story of shifting global tennis dynamics. Japan took home the Women’s team gold—a first since 2017—while Slovakia, led by Meri’s singles triumph, claimed silver. Kenya, a rising force in African collegiate tennis, stunned the field with bronze in both Women’s team and Mixed doubles, thanks to the pairing of Angella Okutoyi (Auburn) and Kael Shah (Denison). That duo’s silver in Mixed doubles was the first medal Kenya had ever won in tennis at the Games.
And then there were the surprises. John Gabelic from UNC Greensboro and Nikola Slavic of Ole Miss teamed up to win Men’s doubles bronze—for Sweden. Yes, Sweden. Their national affiliation was a quirk of FISU’s eligibility rules, which allow athletes to compete under the flag of their country of citizenship, not their university’s. Both players hold Swedish passports, and their unexpected podium finish sparked chatter in tennis circles from Stockholm to Tucson.
Behind the Scenes: The College Connection
What’s remarkable isn’t just that these athletes won medals—it’s that they did so while juggling finals, research papers, and team practices. Jamie Connel of Florida State University won Men’s singles bronze for Great Britain just weeks after completing his senior thesis. Toby Samuel from the University of South Carolina earned silver in Men’s team play while training between classes, often hitting balls at 6 a.m. before heading to lecture.
The Fédération Internationale du Sport Universitaire (FISU), headquartered in Lausanne, Switzerland, has long promoted the idea that elite sport and academic excellence can coexist. The 2025 Games proved it. Of the 17 medals awarded in tennis, 14 went to athletes currently enrolled in U.S. universities. That’s not coincidence. It’s the result of a decade of investment in collegiate tennis programs, especially those with strong international recruitment.
What Comes Next? The Road to Brasília
The 2025 Games may have ended on July 27, but the momentum won’t fade. The next major FISU event is the Brasília 2025 FISU University World Cup 3×3 BasketballBrasília, set for November 14–16 in Brazil. Many of the tennis stars from Essen are already eyeing the 2027 Games in South Korea. And for the first time, FISU is considering a pilot program to allow student-athletes to compete under dual affiliations—meaning a player from Texas could represent their home country and their university simultaneously in medal events.
Historically, the 2021 Chengdu Games saw Chinese Taipei dominate Women’s team tennis, with China and Japan trailing. This year’s results flipped the script. Japan’s rise, Kenya’s breakthrough, and the U.S. collegiate pipeline’s global impact signal a new era—one where university tennis isn’t just a stepping stone, but a powerhouse in its own right.
Frequently Asked Questions
How did U.S. colleges contribute to the medal count at the 2025 FISU Games?
Of the 17 tennis medals awarded, 14 went to athletes currently enrolled in U.S. universities, including Texas, Oklahoma State, Arizona, and Florida State. These athletes competed under the flags of 11 different nations, proving U.S. collegiate programs are now global talent incubators—not just domestic pipelines.
Why did some U.S. players compete for countries other than the United States?
FISU rules allow athletes to represent their country of citizenship, not their university’s nation. So players like Jay Friend (Arizona) and John Gabelic (UNC Greensboro), both U.S. students with Swedish or Japanese passports, competed for those nations. This reflects the increasingly international makeup of U.S. college rosters.
What makes the 2025 tennis results different from past FISU Games?
For the first time, a non-Asian country (Kenya) medaled in Women’s team tennis, and Japan won its first Women’s team gold since 2015. The U.S. collegiate pipeline replaced traditional national academies as the primary source of elite players, with 82% of medalists coming from universities rather than national training centers.
Is there a chance U.S. athletes will compete under their university’s banner in future Games?
FISU is exploring a pilot program to allow dual affiliation—letting athletes represent both their home country and their university. If approved, we could see "Team Texas" or "Team Stanford" on podiums in 2027. It’s a radical shift, but one that mirrors how college sports are already globalized.