Arizona men’s tennis coach Clancy Shields in ‘right spot’ as Wildcats prepare for Sweet 16

Filip Gustafsson, Clancy Shields, head coach — TUCSON, ARIZ. -- Men’s Tennis vs. Clemson at Lanelle Robson Tennis Center. May 2, 2026. Photo by Sarah Rosewater / Arizona Athletics | Sarah Rosewater / Arizona Athletics

As Clancy Shields looked around LaNelle Robson Tennis Center on Saturday, he saw the university president, athletic director and men’s basketball head coach all looking on as Arizona men’s tennis play Clemson in second round of the NCAA Tournament.

Suresh Garimella, Desireé Reed-Francois and Tommy Lloyd were among the hundreds of spectators who crammed in to see Arizona punch its ticket to a fourth straight Sweet 16.

“It’s why the Tucson community is so special,” Shields said. “To see the figureheads of this community out here supporting our program – Tommy, Desireé, the president. Everybody.”

The support of university leadership means extra this year, as athletic departments are eliminating sports like men’s and women’s tennis to save money in the shifting landscape of college athletics.

Just days before the NCAA Tournament, Arkansas announced it would cut its tennis programs even as the Razorbacks men’s team qualified for the postseason. North Dakota, Saint Louis and Gardner-Webb are among the other Division I schools to cut tennis.

Former tennis star Patrick McEnroe lamented the state of college tennis in a Wall Street Journal op-ed, focusing on the lack of young American players competing in the collegiate ranks.

College tennis may be in a state of crisis, but this past weekend in Tucson showed the UA is rallying the sport.

The Arizona pep band greeted fans who arrived in time to find shaded seats. There was a concession stand on site to offer lemonade and hot dogs.

Fans forked over $10 to enter the venue, bringing some dollars to what is usually labeled a non-revenue sport.

“The people care and are invested in what you’re doing,” Shields said. “Ten years ago when I took over at this job, I always hoped it would be something like this. I always felt that I want to coach at a place with an incredible community.