USA's Britton on the Rise

2009 NCAA Tennis Champion Devin Britton Makes Pro Debut in Indianapolis

Youngest Ever Singles Champion Signs with Octagon

McLean, VA (July 20, 2009) - Octagon has today announced the signing of American teen tennis sensation Devin Britton who recently turned professional. A freshman standout at Ole Miss this past season, the 18-year-old Britton became the youngest player ever to win a NCAA singles championship when he captured the title in May. Britton recently advanced to the semifinals of the Wimbledon Junior Championships and then immediately traveled to Croatia to join the United States Davis Cup team as a practice partner in preparation for their tie last weekend. Britton made his pro debut this week at the ATP Tour event in Indianapolis and will also compete in several ATP Tour and USTA events leading into his first U.S. Open.

From the time of the team competition at the NCAA Championships through Wimbledon, Britton has recorded an impressive 21-4 singles record. A native of Jackson, MS, Britton was the first Rebel in school history to win a NCAA singles title and also the first freshman in school history to earn All-American honors. Following his dramatic run at the NCAA's, Britton left the United States to compete in the French Open Junior Championships before traveling to the United Kingdom where he won both the singles and doubles titles at the AEGON International Junior Tennis Championships in Roehampton, England, a tune up event for Wimbledon. 

"We are extremely pleased to welcome Devin into the Octagon family," said Tom Ross, an Octagon Senior Vice President, "We look forward to providing him with a solid support system and sponsorship base as he makes the transition to full time professional tennis. It is evident by his success at Ole Miss and in other international junior events that Devin has unlimited potential and is on the way to becoming one of the next great American tennis players."   

Britton won the International Grass Courts Championships in Philadelphia, PA last year and was also a finalist at the 2008 U.S. Open Junior Championships.

"Devin's increasingly impressive results over the past year have proven that he is a real competitor and rising star. And it's particularly refreshing to see the return of the serve and volley style of play in a top young American," said U.S. Davis Cup captain, Patrick McEnroe. "He joined our team last week at the Davis Cup tie in Croatia and impressed all with his work ethic and drive - he's a great kid and definitely one who we will do all we can to support."

While at Ole Miss, Britton was a two-time SEC Player of the Week and selected to the SEC All-Freshman team. He also was named the Southeast Region Rookie of the Year by the Intercollegiate Tennis Association.  

"The team had an outstanding year, and Devin was at the heart of our success," said Ole Miss Men's Tennis Head Coach Billy Chadwick. "Devin enrolled at The University of Mississippi this past January and though only 17 years old, he quickly established himself as one of the top players in the nation. He led the team to a #2 national ranking and the overall SEC Championship, as well as the NCAA singles crown. A fan favorite, he is an outstanding person both on and off the court and we wish him the best of luck."