The ASU men's tennis team needed to regroup this season without former Sun Devils Murphy Cassone and Max McKennon to lead the team.
Cassone went professional to the ATP and McKennon graduated. Head coach Matt Hill and assistant coach Dominic Cotrone went out and reinforced their side with a solid combination of transfers and first-year students.
Senior Mathis Bondaz was the top ranked ITA player in the transfer portal. In his short time in Tempe, the French player has made a huge impact on and off the court. Boasting a 17-4 singles record his junior season at Virginia Commonwealth University, Bondaz's experience made him an ideal fit for a younger Sun Devils team.
With sophomore Bor Artnak taking over for Cassone at singles No. 1, Bondaz has slid into the singles No. 2 spot and gone 7-3 there this season.
"Obviously I was playing one the entire year," Bondaz said about his time at VCU. "So, I know what it is to play at this line. The coaches put me a little bit where they want and I just do the job."
Bondaz wasn't the only upperclassman to move to Tempe. Graduate student Matic Dimic transferred from Alabama and has recently been Bondaz’s doubles partner after beginning the season with Artnak.
READ MORE: ASU men's tennis change doubles pairings in hopes of team improvement
Bondaz has dealt with hip issues throughout the year which caused the coaching staff to limit his doubles play and have him focus on singles. With ASU at a crucial stretch of the season, the senior has ramped up his doubles level to help the team.
The Sun Devils also had an incredibly strong recruiting class with two five-star recruits: Mikey Anderson and Tanner Povey. Both freshmen have played a big role for ASU this season. Povey played 12 matches at doubles No. 2 and Anderson has stepped up at doubles No. 3 multiple times.
For Povey, the choice to come to ASU began with Cotrone reaching out to him and an hour-long call about surfing in Hawaii.
"I think (Cotrone) texted me right when coaches were allowed to talk, and I think we had like an hour long talk, not even about tennis," Povey said. "That's one of the things that drew me to the school, is kind of they care about you and your tennis career, but also the person."
Improvement on the court is paramount for the Sun Devils. Povey mentioned how coaches have been working with his lefty serve and trying to mold it in the style of Denis Shapovalov.
READ MORE: ASU men's tennis looks to make push near end of season
Hill said his team didn't make adjustments early to the opposition's tactics early in the season but his team has gradually gotten better.
"We would win a set, the opponents and coaches would naturally adjust, and our players were reluctant and stubborn to adjust back to what the new match was," Hill said. "They thought they were still playing the first set match, and they weren't … And now we're getting much better at that. That was very impressive to see our guys just flow with the tactical adjustments needing to be made."
Artnak's performance against Texas Tech on March 28 was a representation of his growth. Facing an opponent who reset points with short slices, Artnak adapted by countering with forehand drop shots.
The team's development doesn't stop at just the court. Bondaz, who was named captain, has taken on the leadership responsibilities and used it to help out his younger teammates.
From preaching discipline to highlighting the importance of stretching, Bondaz has been vital to the Sun Devils' activities off the court. One area where he's made an impact is with his faith and getting his teammates involved in it.
"We started Bible study every Tuesday so I'm leading the Bible study every Tuesday with them," Bondaz said. "I'm helping them a lot with their lives because they are all struggling with things that all these students are struggling (with)."
The team chemistry has been strengthening outside of tennis but ASU only has three games left in the regular season including an all important rematch against No. 11 UA.
Having played nine top-30 schools, the Sun Devils have faced elite competition and know what it takes. Executing at a high level is still a tall task.
"(Top teams) are really good from one to six," Bondaz said. "Every time that we play a big team, they are really good in doubles, and it makes a difference."
Edited by Jack Barron, Sophia Braccio and Alexis Heichman.
Reach the reporter at pvallur2@asu.edu and follow @PrathamValluri on X.
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Pratham is a sophomore studying sports journalism with a minor in business. This is his fourth semester with The State Press.
