College tennis isn’t what it used to be. Once seen as a backup route for players who couldn’t make it on tour, it’s now attracting genuine Challenger-level talent — names like Rafael Jodar, Michael Zheng, and Gabriel Debru — who just a few years ago would’ve gone straight to the pros. The shift comes down to one thing: NIL money. For the first time, college players can earn through sponsorships, brand deals, and performance incentives while still maintaining NCAA eligibility.
