The Michigan State tennis program has been on a serious rise as of late after the Spartans reached a 19-7 record in conference play during the 2023-2024 season, winning 19 matches for the first time in program history.
The program was able to land phenom Matthew Forbes, an incoming freshman and North Carolina native, who competed in the U.S. Open United States Tennis Association (USTA) U18 tournament in Kalamazoo, where he placed first in singles and now has the opportunity to take his talent to the next level at the 2024 US Open tournament in New York City.
Forbes is the first player in green and white as a college student to make a draw into the US Open, making school history as the team continues on the track of history.
“It means a lot to play the US Open as a Spartan, to be the first Michigan State player to play the US Open,” Forbes said. “Not many college players, I want to say I’m one of four, I could be wrong on that, but something crazy like that to go to college and play the US Open. I think it means a lot to the program and recruiting wise, kids that aren’t able to get recruited, kids 12 or 13, they’ll see me with the Spartan gear… It’ll be great for the program moving forward.”
As for playing with the Spartans, Forbes said it was an easy decision for him to take his skill to the collegiate level with MSU. Alongside Forbes are standout players such as junior Ozan Baris, who went 15-3 in the 2023-2024 season, 6-0 in conference play.
“Michigan State men’s tennis, they have an edge to them,” Forbes said. “Everything they’ve gotten, they had to earn… they work hard for everything, recruiting, coaching, everything, and I’ve been seeing it the past few days, so that’s why I chose Michigan State. Everything I have to earn."
Forbes said this week has been an adjustment, participating in different freshman events and orientations, moving into the dorms, as well as hanging out and bonding with his team and gearing up for the big event.
With his experience in the junior US open, Forbes said the experience was “unbelievable,” as well as the U.S. Open being one of his favorite tournaments of the year, but was a lot to take in for him.
The measure of success at the U.S. Open for Forbes isn't winning the whole thing, but using it as a learning experience.
"I'll learn a lot from it. I'll see what pros do on and off the court and apply it to my game, and hopefully be high up in the ATP (Association of Tennis Professionals) rankings, and Michigan State will be contending for a national championship," Forbes said.
Forbes will play his first match of the U.S. Open on Tuesday, August 27 against Russia’s Roman Safiullin at 11 a.m.. Forbes, the MSU coaching staff and Baris will be in attendance.
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