A successful Brazilian tennis player has signed with Texas Tech.

Texas Tech men's tennis has signed Gabriel Dias, one of the top junior players in South America.

Dias will join Texas Tech in January, and joins a squad that is coming off of its sixth straight NCAA appearance, and 12th overall under Tech head coach Tim Siegel.

“Gabriel is someone that we feel can come in and contribute right,” said Siegel. “He brings a wealth of experience and a solid work ethic and we are excited to have him as a part of our program.”

The Belo Horizonte, Brazil native, was ranked as the No. 1 player in Brazil in Boys 12s and Boys 14s. He won the Brazilian Boys 16s championship and was ranked in the top 10 in all of South America. He received an ITF World Juniors ranking of 50th.

Following three ITF Top 10 wins, Dias played in the Australian Open Junior Boys Singles Championship, and was selected as the practice partner with Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal.

“Being part of a school like Texas Tech that is so good academically as well as the athletically, only gives me more desire to keep pursuing my goals and become a professional player down the road,” said Dias.

“I will give my best on the tennis court and in the classroom to always represent Texas Tech as best as I can. I am extremely thankful for the opportunity and I cannot wait to embark on this new journey.”

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