The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
Women’s Tennis signs Malaika Rapolu to National Letter of Intent
04.20.2020 | Women's Tennis
Highly-rated Austin-area junior will join the Longhorns as a freshman for the 2020-21 season.
Pronunciation Help:
Malaika Rapolu muh-LIE-kuh WRAP-oh-loo
AUSTIN, Texas — Malaika Rapolu (Cedar Park, Texas) has signed a National Letter of Intent to play tennis next season at The University of Texas, head coach Howard Joffe announced Monday. Rapolu will join the Longhorns after graduating a year early to attend UT.
"I'm so thrilled to have the opportunity to sign a young lady from Cedar Park to play at The University of Texas," Joffe said. "In Malaika Rapolu, we are not only getting an elite athlete with exceptional tennis prowess, but our Longhorns program is adding someone who cares deeply about her craft. In this regard, I expect Malaika to flourish on the 40 Acres and be a name that is remembered here long after her collegiate career ends.
"I'm so grateful to Malaika, her parents and her younger brother for hitching their proverbial wagon to Texas," Joffe continued. "I intend to work incredibly hard on her behalf to help her actualize her academic, tennis and development goals."
Rapolu has a current UTR (Universal Tennis Rating) of 11.00. The UTR is a global tennis player rating system intended to produce an objective, consistent and accurate index of players' skill in the game of tennis. She is currently No. 8 in the latest national rankings (April 7) and second in the state of Texas for the Girls' Class of 2021 by the Tennis Recruiting Network.
Rapolu achieved a career-high ITF (International Tennis Federation) singles ranking of No. 840 (March 9, 2020). At 16 years of age, she advanced to the singles quarterfinals at the ITF 15k pro circuit event in Cancun, Mexico on Jan. 13-19, 2020.
"The University of Texas is one of the top colleges in the country for tennis and academics," Rapolu said. "I chose UT because the coaches and team help create a great environment that will allow me to improve and excel in tennis and reach my goals. Texas also has an excellent undergraduate business program that I would like to pursue."
