The Illinois men’s tennis season hasn’t started yet, but that hasn’t stopped the Illini from earning national recognition.

When the Intercollegiate Tennis Association ranked the top college tennis players, five Illini found themselves ranked in the nation’s top 125.

“It’s great to show the tremendous depth of the program,” said Illinois head coach Craig Tiley. “We have good enough players that they should be in there, and we expect them to do well.”

Senior Chris Martin led the contingent with the nation’s No. 50 ranking. Martin’s highest ranking last year was No. 47.

“It’s a number – it doesn’t help me hit a forehand or hit a serve,” Martin said. “Whatever number they put in front of me, I’m going to play the same no matter what.”

Illinois juniors Ryler DeHeart and Pramod Dabir, who are roommates, took the rankings a little more seriously.

No. 68 Dabir, who has the higher ranking, put a note on DeHeart’s bedroom door, poking fun at No. 95 DeHeart. DeHeart is planning to use the note as motivation to catch up to his roommate.

DeHeart started the 2003-2004 season with a 12-match winning streak. He finished with 29 victories, primarily at the No. 3 and No. 4 singles position. Dabir finished last season with a 19-5 record.

“You just have to be working on your game and the results and the rankings will come with that,” DeHeart said.

Sometimes, though, the high rankings can come before athletes play a single match.

Illinois freshman Monte Tucker grabbed the No. 121 ranking in the nation prior to his collegiate debut. Tucker will play his first match this weekend when the Illini travel to the Napa Valley Invitational in California.

“I try not to think of (the ranking),” Tucker said. “I try to just go out to play how I’ve been coached to play and try to play my best.”

Although the freshman seemed calm, the national attention can be overwhelming.

“It’s pretty exciting to actually be ranked and have never played a collegiate match,” he said.

The pressure may be mounting, but Tucker is determined to use it to his advantage.

“You’ve just got to build on the pressure and try to play even better,” Tucker said.

Tiley hoped his troops would build on the rankings and preseason excitement during the first competition of the fall season.

“We don’t want to miss a beat,” Tiley said.

Illinois sophomore GD Jones, who recently returned from the U.S. Open Juniors tournament, will help the team stay focused.

Jones took the No. 111 spot in the nation. He and DeHeart are also the Illini’s highest ranked doubles tandem. The pair is No. 17.

Martin and Dabir make up the team’s other ranked pair. The senior-junior tandem is No. 52.

I was happy that we got the recognition that I think the players deserve,” Tiley said.