Wimbledon 2025 was filled with gripping matches, but few stories resonated more deeply with aspiring players than those of Rinky Hijikata, Julian Cash, Lloyd Glasspool, and Sem Verbeek.

These weren’t just pros chasing Grand Slam glory, they were former college tennis players, once facing the same question many juniors are asking today:

“Should I go pro… or go to college first?”

Their answer? Let their results speak for themselves.

Julian Cash & Lloyd Glasspool: British champions with American college roots

When Julian Cash and Lloyd Glasspool stepped onto Centre Court for the men’s doubles final, they weren’t just chasing a Grand Slam—they were chasing history. And they made it.

With a confident straight-sets win, the duo became the first all-British pair to win Wimbledon’s men’s doubles title in the Open Era. But their road to Centre Court didn’t start at Wimbledon. It started on college campuses across the U.S. Julian Cash began his NCAA career at Mississippi State University, then transferred to Oklahoma State University, where he flourished in both singles and doubles. Lloyd Glasspool played at the University of Texas, where he won the NCAA doubles championship and developed the foundation for his success on tour.

College tennis gave them the tools to thrive: structured coaching, elite competition, and time to grow. Their powerful partnership—built on strategy, experience, and trust—wasn’t forged in juniors. It was built through seasons of college matches, long training blocks, and learning how to win.

And in 2025, they proved that the college path can lead straight to Wimbledon glory.

Rinky Hijikata & David Pel: From alternates to finalists 

Across the net from Cash and Glasspool stood another player with deep college roots, Rinky Hijikata. Rinky spent his college years at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where he grew from a raw talent into an All-American and team leader. College didn’t just sharpen his tennis—it taught him how to compete under pressure, stay disciplined through long seasons, and develop the resilience that now defines his game.

In Wimbledon 2025, Hijikata and his partner, Dutch player David Pel, were late additions to the draw as alternates. What followed was something straight out of a movie script.

They saved match points against the top seeds in the semifinals, showing nerves of steel, and surged into the final. Though they fell short in the championship match, their journey won over fans around the world and showcased what college-trained players are capable of.

Sem Verbeek: From walk-on to Wimbledon champion

When Sem Verbeek arrived at the University of the Pacific, there were no headlines, no scholarship, just a deep belief in his own potential. He walked onto the team and, over four years, transformed himself into one of the top players in his conference.

College gave him what the junior circuit couldn’t: structured coaching, consistent match play, and the support of a team environment that helped him grow both on and off the court.

In 2025, Verbeek stood on Centre Court alongside Katerina Siniakova, lifting the Wimbledon mixed doubles trophy. Their straight-sets victory, sealed by two high-pressure tie breaks, was the culmination of years of steady, disciplined progress.

“Without my college experience, I wouldn’t be here today,” Verbeek said after the match.

So… Should you go to college?

If you’re wondering whether playing college tennis is worth it, these stories are your answer. Even if you’re not a top junior, if you’re willing to work, college tennis can take you all the way to Wimbledon. It isn’t a detour from your dreams; it can be the fastest route to get there.

Ready to explore your college path?

At Made Scholarships, we help players like you connect with the right U.S. colleges, athletically, academically, and financially. Whether you’re a top-ranked junior or an underdog with heart, college tennis gives you time, tools, and teammates to grow. And for many, like Hijikata, Verbeek, and the British champions, it leads not just to a diploma, but possibly to the biggest stages in tennis. We’re here to guide you.

👉 Let’s talk. Your journey to Wimbledon might just begin with a college commitment.