Bertha Takes the Helm of Badgers Tennis Team

The University of Wisconsin men’s tennis team has a new captain for the 2011-2012 season, but his name should be plenty familiar.

On Wednesday Whitefish Bay native Billy Bertha was named as the new leader of the Badgers, which posted a record of 12-13 in 2010-2011. Though only a junior, Bertha is ready for the challenge of helping Wisconsin return to the upper echelon of the Big Ten conference.

“I really want to take the program forward,” Bertha said. “I’ve learned a lot during my past two years here and I want to use that experience to do a good job in a leadership role.”

Age-wise Bertha is the oldest member of the Badgers (Wisconsin has no seniors for 2011-2012), and that maturity as a student athlete was one the reasons coach Greg Van Emburgh tabbed Bertha to guide his young but talented squad.

“I’m really looking forward to Billy taking on a major role as our team captain,” Van Emburgh said. “He’s dedicated both on the court and in the classroom and knows what it takes to be successful.”

Bertha’s rise as a tennis player has been an impressive one to watch.  As a freshman Bertha primarily played out of the fourth or fifth singles position on a stacked 2009-2010 Badgers squad that went 21-9 and made its fourth straight appearance in the NCAA tournament. Bertha racked up an overall record of 20-13 (14-10 in singles play) and helped Wisconsin make its first ever trip to the sweet 16.

In 2010-2011, Bertha moved up to his team’s number two slot. Playing against some of the Big Ten’s top opponents, Bertha posted a 15-20 mark overall with a 10-14 record in singles play.

“If I played well during my freshman year, I would pretty much win,” Bertha said. “Last year moving up that drastically was tough, but once I got acclimated to that position I really improved.”

Prior to his college years, Bertha starred for Marquette University High School. In his four years with the Hilltoppers, Bertha claimed back-to-back individual state titles in 2008 and 2009 and carried his team to three straight Division 1 state championships.

Twice Bertha’s title ran through childhood foe Jack Larsen, who competed at rival Whitefish Bay. This season Larsen joined Bertha on the Badgers, giving Wisconsin two hometown natives on a team stocked full of international talent.

“Representing our home state at Wisconsin is really cool,” Bertha said.  “It’s awesome that Jack and I are both from Whitefish Bay and were able to step up to this level.”

Competing close to home was one of the reasons Bertha chose the Badgers in the first place.

“My parents (who both attended Wisconsin) drive up for every home match,” Bertha said. “Having that support system nearby means a lot to me, because they were the reason why I took up tennis in the first place.”

The Badgers open the 2011-2012 season Sept. 16 at the Milwaukee Tennis Classic. With Bertha guiding the ship, Van Emburgh knows his squad is in good hands.

“For us to get back to level where we were at in 2010, we’re going to need leadership and great tennis players,” Van Emburgh said.  “Billy will be a captain who leads by example with his play on the court and a great fit to help us reach our potential.”