Benjamin Becker - Men's Tennis Coach - University of Michigan Athletics

Benjamin Becker

Title:
Associate Head Coach

Benjamin Becker completes his fifth season as associate head coach for the University of Michigan men's tennis team, being named to the position in the summer of 2018.

In five seasons with the Wolverines, Becker has helped the program to a 99-26 record, made back-to-back appearance ub the Elite 8 of the NCAA Tournament, reached the ITA National Team Indoor Championship semifinals, and had seven All-Americas and 16 all-Big Ten selections.

The 2023 season was historic for the Wolverine. The team made its second straight appearance in the NCAA Tournament quarterfinals, for the first time in program history. The talented corps had a 27-5 record with the 27 wins being the second most in program history. The Wolverines had a 13-match win streak, the program's longest win streak since 1988. As the No. 5 seed in the NCAA tournament, Michigan blanked its first two opponents 4-0 and took down No. 10 USC in the Super Regional, an unforgettable match at the Varsity Tennis Center. Facing No. 2 seed TCU in the Elite 8, the match was re-scheduled due to weather. Michigan captured the doubles point but ultimately fell 4-1 to TCU. It was the first time all season Michigan won the doubles and did not win the match (22-1).Ranked in the top-10 of the ITA rankings all season, the team finished the season ranked No. 6 in the final poll, its highest final ranking since the 2020 pandemic ended the season early. Ondrej Styler capped off his Michigan career with a run to the NCAA Singles national championship. The B1G Player of the Year, had a 21-match win streak to capture All-American honors. As the No. 8 seed in the tournament, Styler topped five opponents and took down No. 1 Eliot Spizzirri (Texas) in the quarterfinals. Styler was one point away from defeating Ethan Quinn (Georgia) in the national championship before the Bulldog fought off four match points and went on to win. Andrew Fenty earned doubles All-America honors for the second time of his career reaching the quarterfinals in both singles and doubles with partner Gavin Young. Styler, Fenty and Patrick Maloney were named first-team All-B1G with Young on the second team. All four qualified for the NCAA Singles Championships.

The 2022 ITA Midwest Assistant Coach of the Year, Becker had a historic season in 2022. The Wolverines finished with a 25-4 record which stands as the third most wins in program history. Michigan captured multiple wins over top-ranked opponents including No. 1 TCU, Ohio State at No. 2 and 4, and No. 6 Baylor. A 13-match win streak and a perfect 16-0 record at home during the season culminated with a Big Ten Tournament Championship, the program's first since 1996. The Wolverines earned the title with a 4-2 win over rival Ohio State. Ondrej Styler was named the MVP of the tournament, with Patrick Maloney also making an appearance on the All-Tournament Team. Michigan then made its sixth consecutive appearance and 31st appearance overall in the NCAA Tournament. As the No. 5 seed, the Wolverines hosted the first and second rounds, with matching 4-0 sweeps of Western Michigan and Oklahoma. The Wolverines hosted their first Super Regional in which they made their first appearance since 2018 and dispatched No. 12 seed Texas, 4-2. In the Elite Eight for the first time in 34 years, Michigan faced No. 4 seed Ohio State for the fourth time in the 2021-22 campaign. The Wolverines took the doubles point before OSU won four singles matches to end the series at two matches apiece. Gavin Young was named the Big Ten Freshman of the Year and four Wolverines earned First-Team All-Big Ten honors including Jacob Bickersteth, Patrick Maloney and Ondrej Styler. Styler was one of 64 players chosen for the NCAA Singles Championship, while Andrew Fenty and Nino Ehrenschneider competed for the NCAA Doubles Championship.

In 2021, Becker helped guide Michigan to the Big Ten East Division title as head coach Adam Steinberg was named the Big Ten Coach of the Year. Michigan went 9-1 in the East, after the pandemic split the league for one season, while posting a 14-2 overall conference mark. Boasting a 15-5 overall record, the Wolverines reached the B1G semifinals and the NCAA Tournament. Highlighting the season was Michigan's first win over Ohio State in 21 years, winning four matches via shutout for the first time since 1987, four players being named all-Big Ten - an accomplishment not done since 1980.

Though the 2020 season was cut short due to the COVID-19 pandemic it was historic. Michigan ranked third in the nation, the program's highest ranking since 1998 with a 14-3 overall record. The Wolverines had a 10-match win streak during the spring season that included a semifinal appearance in the ITA National Team Indoor Championship. The squad posted four wins over top-10 teams and won the doubles point in 14 of 17 matches, finishing the season with fourth straight shutouts.

Accolades were abundant during the year, with Andrew Fenty earning the Big Ten's Athlete of the Week three of the eight times it was awarded en route to capturing Big Ten Player of the Year. Fenty is the fourth Wolverine in program history to have earned both the league's rookie and player of the year awards. Fenty was a double All-American earning the honors in singles and in doubles along with partner Mattias Siimar. The duo ranked No. 2 in the nation. Siimar was a second-team all-Big Ten selection, while Ondrej Styler was a first-team pick.

In Becker's first season, in 2019, the Wolverines secured their fourth straight trip to the NCAA Tournament, with a first-round victory over Dartmouth. The No. 20-ranked Maize and Blue were led by Fenty, who put together one of the strongest rookie campaigns in program history. Fenty was named ITA Rookie of the Year, ITA Midwest Player to Watch, ITA Midwest Rookie of the Year, Big Ten Rookie of the Year and first team All-Big Ten. He finished with a 27-7 record in singles play, and a 25-7 record in doubles. Fenty's 27 wins are the third most in program history for a freshman. Fenty became the 28th player in Michigan history to join the 20-20 club (20 doubles wins and 20 singles wins in a season) and just the sixth freshman.

Becker arrived in Ann Arbor after most recently serving as a volunteer assistant coach a Southern Methodist University during the 2018 spring season. Prior to SMU, Becker served in the same capacity at his alma mater, Baylor University, during the fall of 2017 upon retirement from professional tennis.

From 2005-2017 Becker played professionally on the ATP Tour, competing in 36 main draw grand slam tournaments, while earning his highest world ranking of 35 in 2014. The ATP Newcomer of the Year in 2006, Becker accumulated five career victories over former world No. 1's throughout 12-year career.

A former three time All-American, Becker helped lead Baylor University to the 2004 NCAA Team Championship, while claiming the singles championship in the same season. During his time in Waco as a student-athlete, Becker became Baylor's all-time leader in singles and doubles wins, while also earning three academic All-Big 12 first team honors.

Becker, a native of Merzig, Germany, earned a bachelor's degree in Business Administration from Baylor University in the spring of 2018. He and his wife, Kristin, have three sons, Collin, Connor and Cason.