Photo by: Ohio State Athletics
Tucker Adds Petak, Palavestra to Men’s Tennis Program
11/25/2025 1:58:00 PM | Men's Tennis
COLUMBUS, Ohio – Ty Tucker, Ohio State head coach, announced the signing of two highly-touted additions to the Ohio State men's tennis program Tuesday.
Tucker said the newcomers will keep Ohio State consistently among the best in collegiate tennis for years to come.
"We look forward to the future with these two Buckeyes," Tucker said. "Denis (Petak) and Ilija (Palavestra) can keep us competing at the highest level of college tennis for the next four- five years. Both guys have succeeded at the highest level of junior tennis."
Justin Kronauge, Ohio State associate head coach, looks forward to having two highly-driven individuals added to the roster.
"We are so excited for Denis and Ilija to be joining the program," Kronauge said. "They have shown that becoming the best tennis players they can be is a top priority and we can't wait to start working with them."
Palavestra, a blue-chip recruit from Lake Worth, Florida, will join the Buckeyes in the Spring of 2026 while Petak, a native of the Czech Republic, will join the roster in the Fall of 2026.
Palavestra, has been rated as high as the No. 3 recruit in his class. He has a career ATP ranking of 1659 with an ITF junior ranking of 1670. He also has a World Tennis Number of 9.8 and a Universal Tennis Rating of 12.89.
He will join the Buckeyes with two Battle of Boca titles to his credit.
Petak has been ranked as high as 46 in the ITF junior rankings with career-best rankings in singles of 1098 and doubles of 771.
To date he has won two junior ITF singles titles and eight ITF junior doubles titles as well as being a finalist at the US Open and ITF Orange Bowl in doubles. In addition, Petak has won one ITF Pro doubles tournament and was a finalist two other times.
In the WTN, Petak has a rating of 8.5 with a UTR of 13.04.
Palavestra and Petak join Victor Lilov, who signed earlier this year. Lilov and Palavestra will join the Buckeyes in the Spring of 2026 while Petak will join in the Fall of 2026.
Tucker said the newcomers will keep Ohio State consistently among the best in collegiate tennis for years to come.
"We look forward to the future with these two Buckeyes," Tucker said. "Denis (Petak) and Ilija (Palavestra) can keep us competing at the highest level of college tennis for the next four- five years. Both guys have succeeded at the highest level of junior tennis."
Justin Kronauge, Ohio State associate head coach, looks forward to having two highly-driven individuals added to the roster.
"We are so excited for Denis and Ilija to be joining the program," Kronauge said. "They have shown that becoming the best tennis players they can be is a top priority and we can't wait to start working with them."
Palavestra, a blue-chip recruit from Lake Worth, Florida, will join the Buckeyes in the Spring of 2026 while Petak, a native of the Czech Republic, will join the roster in the Fall of 2026.
Palavestra, has been rated as high as the No. 3 recruit in his class. He has a career ATP ranking of 1659 with an ITF junior ranking of 1670. He also has a World Tennis Number of 9.8 and a Universal Tennis Rating of 12.89.
He will join the Buckeyes with two Battle of Boca titles to his credit.
Petak has been ranked as high as 46 in the ITF junior rankings with career-best rankings in singles of 1098 and doubles of 771.
To date he has won two junior ITF singles titles and eight ITF junior doubles titles as well as being a finalist at the US Open and ITF Orange Bowl in doubles. In addition, Petak has won one ITF Pro doubles tournament and was a finalist two other times.
In the WTN, Petak has a rating of 8.5 with a UTR of 13.04.
Palavestra and Petak join Victor Lilov, who signed earlier this year. Lilov and Palavestra will join the Buckeyes in the Spring of 2026 while Petak will join in the Fall of 2026.
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