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Future Michigan Wolverine and current Ann Arbor Greenhills tennis star, Oral, claims third state title
Mert Oral, left, poses with older brother, Kaan Oral, right, after winning his third consecutive individual tennis state championship on Oct. 21 at Mason High School. (Photo: Mark Randolph)

Future Michigan Wolverine and current Ann Arbor Greenhills tennis star, Oral, claims third state title

ANN ARBOR, Mich. (BVM) — University Liggett School’s William Cooksey has made a lot of noise on the Michigan prep tennis scene this fall after winning his fourth consecutive singles state title. But coming off his third straight state championship, Ann Arbor Greenhills junior, Mert Oral, will have a chance to accomplish the same feat next year.

Oral grew up playing soccer and basketball, but tennis was always his most serious sport. He and his older brother began tennis lessons in their youth after their father signed them up. At first, Oral was not interested in playing tennis. But after a few lessons, he was drawn in by the individual aspect of the sport.

“I just like how individual tennis is,” Oral said. “I like how many different components there are. There’s technique, skill, talent and also the mental aspect. I just think it’s a really complete sport.”

Throughout his youth career, Oral began realizing his natural talent on the tennis court. Over time, his mental toughness, and savvy intelligence have helped him to become one of the top tennis players in the state of Michigan.

Since he was 8 years old, Oral has competed in United States Tennis Association (USTA) tournaments. A few years later, he began playing in Midwest-level sectional tournaments as well. 

During the summer of 2018, the 16-year-old began emerging on the local and national tennis scenes. That June, he went on to win the USTA Midwest Level 1 Closed Championships, and would advance to the quarterfinals of the national tournament. The performance jumped Oral’s national ranking into the top-50.

“Things really clicked for me going into my freshman year of high school,” Oral said. “That summer was a pretty big breakthrough for me and that’s when I realized that this might be something I really want to pursue and look at playing in college.”

Going into his time at Greenhills School in Ann Arbor, Mich., Oral was a little nervous to begin his career at the next level. However, he was more excited to get to join his older brother on the team — who had already won a state championship prior to his junior season. With his brother and his friend holding the top two spots on the squad, Oral ended up settling in at the No. 3 singles spot. However, the season was beneficial for the 16-year-old, and he enjoyed becoming part of such a storied tennis program.

“It ended up working out really great and it was good for me to get that year of experience and practice with those guys everyday,” Oral said. “It’s amazing being part of the Greenhills tennis program with the history and success they’ve had, and their culture.”

Part of the culture comes from coaches Mark Randolph and Eric Gajar. Specifically, Gajar has meant a lot to Oral’s development and success.

“It’s been an incredible experience having him as a high school coach,” Oral explained. “The team culture he has established over the years is absolutely incredible. Right away in my freshman year I felt like I was just welcome and each day I knew I could count on him.”

Mert Oral, center, celebrates winning his third consecutive state title for the Gryphons with his coaches, Mark Randolph and Eric Gajar. (Photo: Kaan Oral)

While on the court in his freshman season, Oral shined. Although he lost his very first match in his first season, he took lessons from the loss and began working harder. That effort led Oral all the way to a Division 4 No. 3 singles state title.

“I was very, very happy to end up winning state at the end of the year,” Oral said. “It just showed that the hard work had all paid off.”

Going into his sophomore season, Greenhills School moved up to Division 3, increasing their level of competition. Oral would end up taking over the reigns from his brother and friend that season as well, becoming the Gryphons’ No. 1 player.

Despite the changes, Oral would not miss a beat, and again excelled on his way to another state championship.

“It was definitely a pretty sweet and surreal feeling,” Oral said about winning state as a No. 1 singles player.

Although tennis is a primarily individual sport, Oral does not overlook the team aspect of it. Playing with his brother in addition to many other talented players, he and his Gryphons teammates ended up winning team state championships in his first two seasons as well.

“Winning the team state titles really meant everything and was even a better feeling than winning the individual titles,” Oral said. “Especially being able to have those two years with my brother on the team, it was just very special.”

Prior to 2018, Ann Arbor Greenhills had lost the team state title by just a couple points in back-to-back seasons, making the two titles they took home in 2018 and 2019 all the more satisfying.

With the good times rolling, the COVID-19 pandemic threatened Greenhills’ 2020 season. In fact, Oral really didn’t even expect to be out on the tennis court this fall.

“I spent a lot of time thinking about whether or not we would have a high school season,” Oral said. “I was really worried about that and for a while I just didn’t think it was going to be able to happen. But fortunately, things turned around and we were able to really play just about our full season. I’m just super thankful that we had that opportunity despite everything that’s happened.”

Despite not being able to play in USTA tournaments throughout the spring and summer, Oral was as good as ever this fall. With his team graduating six seniors from last year’s squad, the junior became a team captain, hoping to add another individual state title to his resume while leading the Gryphons to a championship yet again.

Although his team would fall short of a third straight state title, Oral would not, winning state yet again as a No. 1 singles player.

“It was a lot of joy,” Oral said about his third straight championship. “I was very happy and also pretty relieved because it’s a long season and I knew that I was going to have a target on my back.”

But the state title may not have been Oral’s biggest tennis milestone this fall. During the season, the junior officially made his college commitment after beginning his recruiting process over the summer.

Oral had a lot of interest from top Division I college programs. But about a month into recruiting, Oral was contacted by the University of Michigan. After growing up in Ann Arbor, becoming a Wolverine was too hard to pass up.

“Having the opportunity to play at Michigan was a dream and when the opportunity presented itself it was just too hard to pass,” Oral said. “It’s a great school academically and athletically. As a student athlete, there is no place better than Michigan. The coaches are great, their experience is incredible and how they have been able to turn the program is remarkable. Being able to represent Ann Arbor and compete there for four more years is just amazing.”

Oral hopes to make the lineup right away as a freshman for Michigan, but also has several team aspirations including winning a Big Ten title and a national championship. Beyond his time as a Wolverine, Oral is not sure where his tennis career may take him. But if he feels he has a legitimate opportunity to play professionally, he may look to pursue it.

However, the 16-year-old lives in the present moment, and he has one more year of unfinished business to take care of at Ann Arbor Greenhills. Not many athletes can say they won four consecutive individual state championships no matter the sport or location, but Oral has the opportunity to do so next fall. Yes, the pressure will be there, but the tennis star is fully prepared to thrive under it.

“For senior year, the hope would be to come back and have another great year individually, and more importantly, as a team,” Oral said. “I know that the pressure is going to be there next season. But I think one of my biggest strengths is being able to not really worry about that or let it affect me.”