Shunsuke Mitsui stands as one of the most distinguished players in Tennessee men’s tennis history, embodying resilience, consistency, and unwavering determination on Rocky Top. 

Born and raised in Shizuoka, Japan, Shunsuke took a leap of faith that brought him over 6,500 miles from home to Knoxville. Over four unforgettable years, he’s racked up over 100 wins in both singles and doubles, earned First Team All-SEC honors every season, and helped lead the Vols to national prominence.

We dive into his journey from junior Grand Slams to college tennis, the culture shock of moving to America, the legacy he hopes to leave behind, and the epic comeback win against Duke to send Tennessee to the NCAA Super Regionals .