by Michael Rowse

WNMU tennis has been one of the stronger programs over the last few years with the men's team making the NCAA national tournament the last 2 years and the women's team winning the RMAC and making it to the NCAA regional tournament last season. Now both teams could be getting even stronger. The Western New Mexico University tennis program added Nader Murad and Jorge Carretero Fernandez to the team this season as announced by head coach Guillaume Dupont.

Murad, from Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, England, has been playing tennis since he was eight. He reached one of his high marks during the final year of competing at 18 and under in 2011 by winning the County Championships in both singles and doubles. He maintained the No. 1 ranking in Gloucestershire during his last season in his age group and his highest overall ranking in the United Kingdom was No. 22.

"Nader comes with an impressive resume as he was the No. 1 Junior (18 and under) and No. 1 adult in Gloucestershire and ranked No. 22 in the UK," Dupont said. "His game is based on his fighting spirit and footwork that will make for a great fit in our team. Nader is going to help a lot of guys during the spring and I can't wait to see him at the high level."

Fernandez, from Asturias, a region in the north of Spain, held a 170 national senior ranking in Spain. His regional ranking was No. 1 in Asturias Regional. He won the Master of Asturias Junior in which he bested the eight best juniors in the region. He was selected to play in the classified two Asturias in juniors and has been selected to the national tournament for his region both years.

"Jorge is a great player and his power on the court will help him a lot this year. He was ranked No. 1 in Asturia, and No. 170 in Spain," Dupont said. "Jorge has played a lot against adults and his game is based on power and pressure from the baseline. He has the tools to be at the top of our line-up."

"A few more players are coming for the spring on the men's and women's sides," Dupont said. "Two women's players will join us, one from France and one from Mexico. They should definitely fit in the top of our line-up." Until the players clear the application and eligibility process, Coach Dupont can't discuss specifics.

Dupont is excited for the coming season with the new talent that has arrived to go along with what is still on the team.

"We should be much stronger this year than in the past," Dupont added. "All my returners improved this summer and the newcomers are really impressive. I just can't wait to hit the road in the spring and see our teams in real action."