TYLER, Texas -- The UT Tyler men's tennis program will add three top international players to its 2020-21 signing class, as head coach Adam Cohen announced the signings of Gonzalo Fernandez Gil, Egor Shestakov, and Yudai Watanabe.
 
"These three players are going to fit right in with our program," Cohen said.  "They have the same drive and passion that I see in our current players to build a championship-caliber program at UT Tyler. Without a doubt I believe this will be one of the best recruiting classes in the Lone Star Conference and the country."

 
Gonzalo Fernandez Gil is from Spain, and he transfers to UT Tyler after two seasons of junior college tennis, most recently at Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College.  He played the 2018-19 season at Mesa Community College.
 
Fernandez Gil: "After finishing my junior college years, I couldn't be more excited to start this new stage of my life. I have the purpose to grow as a player and take the Patriots to the top of NCAA Division II in the next two years. I want to thank Coach Adam Cohen for giving me this opportunity and to my family who support me every day. I'll give my best in my last years as a student athlete, and I'm looking forward to joining the team."


Egor Shestakov hails from Kaliningrad, Russia, and his youth experience includes a Tennis Europe U16 title plus singles and doubles finals appearances in International Tennis Federation (ITF) World Tennis Tour Juniors (Grade 5) tournaments.
 
Shestakov: "My father got me started playing tennis when I was six, and he was my first coach. I immediately fell in love with the sport.  I've decided to continue my tennis career at UT Tyler because of the facilities, the tennis program, and the education."


Yudai Watanabe is from Urayasu, Japan, and his accomplishments include runner-up finishes at the Thomas Cup and Meimonkai Cup tournaments.  He also claimed the Annual National High School Championship as well as National Tennis Championship titles.