PATIL ARMENIAN/Daily Bruin Senior Staff Sophomore Jean-Julien Rojer smacks the ball in a match against BYU this January.

By Rekha Rao

Daily Bruin Contributor



Two members of the UCLA men’s tennis team will travel to Dallas this weekend to take on some of the nation’s top ranked at the ITA Rolex National Championships.

Sophomore Jean-Julien Rojer and senior Jean-Noel Grinda play as a doubles team in the tournament, and Rojer will compete in the singles tournament.

The doubles play will include the top 16 teams from across the nation, while the singles play will include the top 32 players from the same top schools.

“It is a good chance to play against other top players,” Rojer said.

Rojer and Grinda are currently ranked No. 3 in the nation and have been steadily improving their play over the last three season matches. On Jan. 19, the two lost their first match together in the season to Carlos Lozano and Gert Vilms of BYU, 8-6.

Their first victory came against Arizona Friday, when they defeated Steven Capriati and Whi Kim 8-5.

MEN'S TENNIS PREVIEW vs. ITA National Championships Today-Sunday All day Dallas, Texas

Their second win of the season came against Arizona State on Saturday, when they defeated Mitchell Bowen and Matt Klinger 8-5.

Rojer and Grinda have been the No. 1 team for the Bruins since the beginning of the season. But they will face tough competition in the upcoming weekend.

“Since the top 16 teams in the country will be there, it will be very tough,” Grinda said.

This tournament is different than league matches because it is played indoors. The players have mixed feelings about the change in environment.

“The indoor matches suits our game a lot,” Rojer said.

But Grinda had another reaction. “I am not used to playing indoors. I am looking forward to playing with Rojer, but I am still hoping to get into the singles matches.”

Grinda, although ready to play with his doubles partner, is also hoping to play in the singles action as well.

“Jean-Noel is the first or second alternate, there is a good chance that he can get in,” head coach Billy Martin said.

Up next for the Bruins is a home match against Georgia Tech on Feb. 9.