Oklahoma State University Athletics
International Series: Kadhe’s Journey to Stillwater
February 15, 2016 | Cowboy Tennis
This is the debut of our new Oklahoma State tennis feature series called the International Series. Each feature will tell a different story of a player or coach on the Cowboy Tennis squad.
By: Addison Plank, OSU Athletics Communications
Oklahoma State men's tennis player Arjun Kadhe can remember going to watch his dad coach tennis when he just a kid. Kadhe would then pick up a racket, and it began from there. The OSU junior would win his first tournament at nine years old, where he was awarded a new racket.
Unfortunately, Kadhe outgrew his nine-year-old racket, but kept playing. The India native competed in junior Grand Slams around the world, until he met Wake Forest head coach Tony Bresky in India. After some scholarship issues, Kadhe wasn't able to play for Bresky. However, Bresky talked to a couple of his friends, including Oklahoma State head coach Jay Udwadia.
"I talked to Jay in December, and I was supposed to come to the United States in January," Kadhe said. "I'm glad it worked out."
Kadhe joined the Cowboy tennis team in January 2014, the same time as the opening of the Michael and Anne Greenwood Tennis Center.
Kadhe's impact on the squad was immediate. He recorded a 16-8 record in singles play and a 16-5 mark in doubles. He earned All-American honors in doubles with his partner, Jakob Sude, as they reached the semifinal round of the 2014 NCAA Doubles Championship.
"Playing in India is completely different because we don't have the college part of tennis," Kadhe said. "It's all individuals in India, there's no team part to it. This is a completely different part of tennis to me."
As a sophomore in 2015, Kadhe finished with a 19-13 singles record, playing primarily at the No. 3 spot for the Cowboys. He also made it back to the NCAA Doubles Championship with Sude. The two were the first duo in Oklahoma State history to earn two career All-America honors.
Now in his junior season, Kadhe has become a force in the No. 3 singles spot for the Cowboys. He holds a 13-4 record and is ranked No. 112 in singles play, with wins over two top-95 players in the ITA rankings. One of Kadhe's key wins came against Wake Forest's Romain Bogaerts, which was a big contribution to the Cowboys upset over No. 11 Wake Forest.
"I lost to that guy last year in a really close match," Kadhe said. "I had some things in mind, which I had to prove. It was more satisfying because it was against Wake Forest. That was where I was supposed to go, so I guess it all comes together in the end."
Kadhe has also continues to thrive in doubles play, where he and sophomore teammate Julian Cash have risen to No. 5 in the national rankings. They have an 18-6 doubles record playing in the No. 1 spot for the Cowboys.
"He's a terrific doubles player," Kadhe said. "I think we compliment each other's games very well. You have to be aggressive and take chances, and I think we both are pretty aggressive players. It works for us."
Taking risks has certainly paid off for the All-American duo as they had an outstanding fall season where the won the ITA All-American back draw title and made an appearance in the ITA Central Regional doubles final back in October.
With the spring season in full swing for Kadhe and the Cowboys, his main goal is to stay healthy and continue to improve his game.
"To be honest, I have not played my best tennis yet," Kadhe said. "I have scraped through the matches. I am really happy that when I'm not playing my best that I am still winning. I just have to focus and keep working and the best tennis will come soon."
For updates on Kadhe and the rest of the Pokes, follow @CowboyTennis on Instagram and Twitter.
By: Addison Plank, OSU Athletics Communications
Oklahoma State men's tennis player Arjun Kadhe can remember going to watch his dad coach tennis when he just a kid. Kadhe would then pick up a racket, and it began from there. The OSU junior would win his first tournament at nine years old, where he was awarded a new racket.
Unfortunately, Kadhe outgrew his nine-year-old racket, but kept playing. The India native competed in junior Grand Slams around the world, until he met Wake Forest head coach Tony Bresky in India. After some scholarship issues, Kadhe wasn't able to play for Bresky. However, Bresky talked to a couple of his friends, including Oklahoma State head coach Jay Udwadia.
"I talked to Jay in December, and I was supposed to come to the United States in January," Kadhe said. "I'm glad it worked out."
Kadhe joined the Cowboy tennis team in January 2014, the same time as the opening of the Michael and Anne Greenwood Tennis Center.
Kadhe's impact on the squad was immediate. He recorded a 16-8 record in singles play and a 16-5 mark in doubles. He earned All-American honors in doubles with his partner, Jakob Sude, as they reached the semifinal round of the 2014 NCAA Doubles Championship.
"Playing in India is completely different because we don't have the college part of tennis," Kadhe said. "It's all individuals in India, there's no team part to it. This is a completely different part of tennis to me."
As a sophomore in 2015, Kadhe finished with a 19-13 singles record, playing primarily at the No. 3 spot for the Cowboys. He also made it back to the NCAA Doubles Championship with Sude. The two were the first duo in Oklahoma State history to earn two career All-America honors.
Now in his junior season, Kadhe has become a force in the No. 3 singles spot for the Cowboys. He holds a 13-4 record and is ranked No. 112 in singles play, with wins over two top-95 players in the ITA rankings. One of Kadhe's key wins came against Wake Forest's Romain Bogaerts, which was a big contribution to the Cowboys upset over No. 11 Wake Forest.
"I lost to that guy last year in a really close match," Kadhe said. "I had some things in mind, which I had to prove. It was more satisfying because it was against Wake Forest. That was where I was supposed to go, so I guess it all comes together in the end."
Kadhe has also continues to thrive in doubles play, where he and sophomore teammate Julian Cash have risen to No. 5 in the national rankings. They have an 18-6 doubles record playing in the No. 1 spot for the Cowboys.
"He's a terrific doubles player," Kadhe said. "I think we compliment each other's games very well. You have to be aggressive and take chances, and I think we both are pretty aggressive players. It works for us."
Taking risks has certainly paid off for the All-American duo as they had an outstanding fall season where the won the ITA All-American back draw title and made an appearance in the ITA Central Regional doubles final back in October.
With the spring season in full swing for Kadhe and the Cowboys, his main goal is to stay healthy and continue to improve his game.
"To be honest, I have not played my best tennis yet," Kadhe said. "I have scraped through the matches. I am really happy that when I'm not playing my best that I am still winning. I just have to focus and keep working and the best tennis will come soon."
For updates on Kadhe and the rest of the Pokes, follow @CowboyTennis on Instagram and Twitter.
Players Mentioned
Friday, June 05
Friday, May 29
Wednesday, May 27
Monday, May 18
