CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – The Fighting Illini added two players during the November signing period, head coach Brad Dancer announced on Wednesday.
Jon Gamble and Nicholas Mekhael signed Big Ten Athletics Aid Agreements and will join the Orange and Blue for the 2026-27 season.
"We are thrilled to welcome Jon and Nicholas to the program," Dancer said. "They both have a tremendous passion to represent and put their stamp on Illinois Tennis. Jon is a hard working left-hander who is incredibly ambitious. He comes from an industrious Midwest family. We know his athletic talent; he can move and play on a multitude of different surfaces. He is an excellent student who will excel in the classroom as well.
"Nicholas is a highly intelligent tennis player who has a keen eye for the game. We know as he grows into his body more and develops his weapons that he will be an elite player. Nicholas is a tremendous student and well-respected and liked by his peers."
JON GAMBLE // LAS VEGAS, NEV.
- Rated as a blue chip recruit by Tennis Recruiting Network
- Career-high ITF juniors ranking of 120
- Has won three juniors singles and nine juniors doubles titles
- Currently rated as the #13 American recruit by Tennis Recruiting Network
- Has a career-best ATP singles ranking of 1788
- Chose Illinois because "I felt it was the best place for me to keep improving as a player and a person. I really liked the team culture and the energy Coach Dancer and the staff bring every day. It felt like the right environment to grow and compete."
NICHOLAS MEKHAEL // BORDENTOWN, N.J.
- Rated as a blue chip recruit by Tennis Recruiting Network
- Career-high ITF juniors ranking of 308
- Currently rated as the #22 American recruit by Tennis Recruiting Network; ranked as high as #18
- Has won two juniors singles and two juniors doubles titles
- Finished third in singles and fourth in doubles at the 2025 USTA National Clay Court Championships in July
- Mother, Ourania Rotou, competed in track and cross country for four years at Southern Illinois
- Chose the Illini because "I felt that Illinois was going to help me develop as not only a great tennis player but as a person in general by being surrounded by amazing leaders and teammates."
