Niels Villard and Rafael Segado will join the Gators for the 2025-2026 academic school year.
GAINESVILLE, Fla.- Florida men’s tennis has landed two incoming freshmen during the early signing period. The Gators’ second class under head coach Adam Steinberg<https://floridagators.com/sports/mens-tennis/roster/coaches/adam-steinberg/1738> includes Niels Villard of Meaux, France and Rafael Segado of Cartagena, Spain.
Villard and Segado expect to enroll for Spring 2025 and compete in the 2025 team season, along with fellow freshmen Francesco Cordova<https://floridagators.com/sports/mens-tennis/roster/francesco-cordova/17050> and Ben Weintraub<https://floridagators.com/sports/mens-tennis/roster/ben-weintraub/17051>, who competed in the Fall season for the Gators.
Villard comes to Florida with a French ranking of -15. Villard also holds a 12.54 UTR to go along with one doubles title and three singles titles.
Segado holds an ITF Juniors career-high ranking No. 73 and is ranked No. 44 nationally in Spain. He also earned a 12.67 UTR and has a national junior ranking of 4 in his country.
Steinberg’s team in his second spring season with Florida will now feature four freshmen, including January arrivals Niels Villard and Rafael Segado, as well as Ben Weintraub<https://floridagators.com/sports/mens-tennis/roster/ben-weintraub/17051> and Francesco Cordova<https://floridagators.com/sports/mens-tennis/roster/francesco-cordova/17050>, who competed in the Fall campaign in their first semester with the Gators.
Florida’s spring slate begins against Georgia Southern and the University of North Florida at the Alfred A. Ring Tennis Complex in Gainesville on Jan. 20.
