BEAR FOR LIFE
5/29/2025 2:00:00 PM | Men's Tennis, Champions' TriBUne
Coach Woodson challenged me to ‘invite the tough stuff’
By: Justin Braverman
Champions' TriBUne is a special feature through Baylor Athletics that gives you the student-athlete's perspective and the chance for them to share their own story. Justin Braverman, a senior from Naples, Florida, finished his Baylor tennis career with a 33-22 record in singles (10-1 in dual matches) and 37-16 mark in doubles (16-6 in duals). The former 4-star recruit had his most successful season as a sophomore in 2022-23, when he was 19-8 in doubles and 17-6 in singles, finishing the season on an 11-match winning streak. A three-time ITA Scholar-Athlete, Justin is on pace to finish his master's degree in accounting, with a concentration in tax, this December:
Reflecting on my past four years at Baylor, I find myself struggling to culminate all my experiences into words. I have met so many great people who have changed my life in a different way. My journey has been remarkable, filled with everlasting memories, personal growth and lifelong experiences. Now, let's rewind a bit back to the beginning of my story.
All in the Family
I was born in Naples, Florida, and have two siblings, Josh, 23, and Zach, 19. My parents, David and Stacy, grew up loving the game of tennis, and they passed that trait on to my brothers and me. Most of our family activities were playing golf and tennis on the weekends. As a kid, I always loved being active, but something about being on the tennis court felt different. At the age of 13, I decided to focus solely on tennis, because I had a goal of playing at the collegiate level. My parents are one of the biggest reasons why this goal became a reality. My mom brought my brothers and me all over town to our practices, and my dad made sure he could travel with me around the country for tournaments. Whenever there were conflicting schedules with Josh and me for competition, my parents and Zach always ensured that people were there for support. Of course, you understand and appreciate the sacrifice your parents make for you when you're young, but it isn't until later that you completely grasp the extent of their commitment. I know I wouldn't be where I am today if it wasn't for my parents.
My two brothers, Josh and Zach, are also a big part of my journey to Baylor. Josh is one of my biggest mentors. It's not uncommon to look up to your older brother, but Josh really inspired me to work hard in the classroom and on the court. Josh is one of the smartest people I've ever met, and seeing him work tirelessly to play collegiate golf and simultaneously pursue a rigorous education spoke volumes to me. My parents have instilled the importance of school in all three of us, and seeing Josh pursue it made me want to follow in his footsteps. Zach has always been one of my biggest supporters. If he was not busy at his own sporting events, he would always support me at my matches. He has been a part of my tennis journey since day one, and I am thankful I have him in my corner.
Introduction to Baylor
As my junior year of high school approached, which is one of the most important years in terms of college recruitment, I was filled with mixed emotions. I was excited for the process to begin, but there was pressure for me to perform and get recognized by coaches. One day, my dad got a call from a new tennis recruiter named Chris Frusci. He asked me, "Have you considered looking at Baylor yet?" I hadn't considered it yet, but as I started researching the school and the team, I immediately knew this was my top choice. Baylor was one of the best teams in the country, so I viewed going to Baylor as a great opportunity to be around the best players and coaches from college and learn from them. I went on a visit a few months later with the head coach at the time, Brian Boland, the assistant coach at the time, now head coach Michael Woodson, and the second assistant at the time, now associate head coach Izak van der Merwe. Those few days I spent in Waco convinced me that this was the school for me. Everything from the tennis facility to the beautiful landscape of Baylor took my breath away. The culture on Baylor's team is about selflessness and being a part of something greater than yourself, which was exactly what I was looking for. Sometime later, Coach Boland flew to Naples to present my offer in person. This was one of the most memorable moments in my life, and I'm so happy that I shared it with my family.
Sometime after, COVID-19 hit, my high school tennis state tournament got canceled, which hit me hard because it was my last year, and we were favored to win. It was something that everyone was looking forward to from the beginning of the season. Also, the side effects of Accutane started to affect my tennis. It was tiring to be in the sun for long periods, and I had in-grown fingernails, making it painful to grip the racket. This and COVID-19 made getting on the court and practicing very difficult. During this time, I discovered that Brian Boland was no longer the head coach, and Michael Woodson was the new head coach. Although I was initially a little upset that I wouldn't get to play under Coach Boland, I knew that Woodson was a great coach and mentor and was excited to start my collegiate career with him.
Luckily, Florida was quick to open up, and I started playing at a new tennis academy called Gomez Tennis Academy. This is where I met one of my best friends and future Bear, Ethan Muza. Being the new kid anywhere you go is always tough, but Ethan immediately made me feel welcome, and we became friends from that moment on. It was great having him there, because we were always pushing each other to improve in fitness and on the court. When I learned he committed to Baylor, I was ecstatic knowing we would be on the same team. In May, Ethan and I went to watch Baylor play in the National Championship match in Orlando, and this was one of the best experiences. Seeing the love and support that everyone had for each other on and off the court only affirmed my desire to want to go to Baylor.
Putting the student in student-athlete
Thanks to the coaches' focus on player development on and off the court, I could pursue my academic goals to the full extent. I wanted to double major in Accounting and Management Information Systems, and the coaches were in my corner doing whatever they could to help me manage my schedule. I am currently working on getting my master's in accounting with a concentration in tax, and some of the classes only have one section. This proved challenging as they were normally in the afternoon, but the coaches ensured this didn't affect my tennis. I thank the academic coaches and others who have positively impacted my academic career.
My first year started off strong. I felt that I improved a lot in the fall and recorded some good results in singles and doubles, and I was looking forward to what the spring had in store. Unfortunately, I was in a car accident at the start of the spring and broke my clavicle bone, which required surgery. This meant that I couldn't get back on court again until April. This was a big setback for me because I was hyped for my first spring season. However, I am thankful to Emily, Jeremey, the coaches, Cole Durham, and everyone who poured into my recovery to help me get back on the court as fast as possible. Additionally, I am especially thankful to the team for their unwavering support of me during this tough time. I want to give a special shoutout to my captains, Sven Lah and Matias Soto, because they were role models for me. Coming from a K-12 school, it was an adjustment from something that has been constant my whole life to something new, but I was excited to start this new journey of my life. In addition, I was a "green" 18-year-old on a very old and experienced team. Immediately, they helped show me the standard for the team and helped me maintain it. There was a five-year age gap between us, but that didn't stop them from going out of their way to help me.
A memory that will last a lifetime
I will never forget the experience of winning the Big 12 tournament in 2022. It is my favorite college tennis memory, and one I will hold onto for the rest of my life. We beat two of our biggest rivals to win the title, Texas in the semifinals and TCU in the finals. The weather wasn't great during the final, so we moved the match indoors. The energy that everyone gave on and off the court was incomprehensible to me and made me understand what it means to play for Baylor.
Christoper Frantzen played a very special role in my personal growth at Baylor. From being my doubles partner in my sophomore year to my captain in my junior year, Chris has always been there for me whenever I needed help. Whether it was studying with him in the business school, practicing with each other, or just asking for advice about internships and life, Chris never hesitated to help. He cared tremendously about every guy on the team and wanted them to succeed both on and off the court. I consider him a friend for life.
Baylor holds a special place in my heart. It's a beautiful university filled with amazing people who consider you part of their family. What shocked me was that I was in Salt Lake City with my family this year for the Fourth of July. I wore my Baylor shirt to the parade, and people stopped me throughout the day to give me a Sic 'Em, Bears. I wasn't even in Texas but could still connect with the Baylor community. This moment made me fully understand that once you're a Bear, you're a Bear for life. Baylor instilled in me countless qualities that will help me succeed in the next chapter of my life. Outside of what I've learned from my professors, Baylor taught me how to work effectively in a team, communicate with people and be a leader. Being here all four years, I had the opportunity to be the person who looked up to the seniors to someone who was looked up to as a senior. Each role requires a specific skill, and I am very glad I could experience it because, in the professional workspace, I will need to learn how to succeed as an associate and as a senior on the team.
Thank you, Baylor
I am immensely grateful for the opportunity to join the Baylor men's tennis team under former head coach Brian Boland. His belief in my potential and willingness to take a chance on me allowed me to join the best program in the nation.
I want to give a big thanks to my current head coach, Michael Woodson. He had one of the biggest impacts on my life at Baylor. He doesn't just care about your development as a tennis player; he also cares tremendously about how you develop as a person, because he wants you to walk out the doors at Baylor a better person than you were when you arrived. He helped me come out of my shell by always challenging me to "invite the tough stuff." Reflecting on the past four years, I am happy that he challenged me, because I am a way better person. I can always turn to him for help, and I know he will always do everything he can for me, and every one of my teammates.
I am also grateful for everything that Izak van der Merwe has done for me. Regarding my serve and volleys, he helped me look at my game from new perspectives, which paid big dividends, because I saw significant improvements in these areas. To have someone like Izak, with all of his accolades, in my corner was truly special, and I am thankful for the opportunity to have worked with him for the past four years.
I want to thank Jacqui Haddock for everything she has done for me and the Baylor tennis program. She oversees game day operations, team travel, video, apparel and equipment, business responsibilities, and the team's camps. It's not easy being responsible for all of these things, but Jacqui manages it all incredibly well. Without her, so many things we get to do each year wouldn't be possible.
In addition, I want to thank all my other coaches who made this stage of my journey so incredible: Grey Hamilton, Nich Ochran, George Goldhoff, Cole Durham, Victoria Garcia, Emily Buccigross, Megan Rood, and Emma Starcher for their unwavering support and mentorship throughout my ups and downs. I want to thank my captains, Sven, Matias, Finn Bass, Juampi Mazzuchi, Chris Frantzen, Tadeas Paroulek, Oskar Brostrom Poulsen and Mark Miladinovic, for being exceptional and influential leaders. Also, I want to thank all my teammates who made this experience unforgettable.
The journey's not over
Lastly, I want to thank my girlfriend of almost six years, Inna Kuznetsova. We started dating in high school, so she understood how time-consuming being a student-athlete was. However, college was different because I was even busier. It's not easy being the girlfriend of an athlete, especially when they don't go to the same school as you, but she has always been so understanding and supportive of my goals and what it will take to achieve them. She has always been one of my biggest fans, and I am so grateful for everything she has done and sacrificed for me.
A common saying in life is, "it's not about the destination; what's important is the people you meet and the memories you gain along the way." The relationships I gained during my four years will last a lifetime and are what made my college experience so memorable. As this part of the journey ends, I know I won't compete on the Baylor team anymore, but I know I will be a Baylor Bear for the rest of my life.
Champions' TriBUne is a special feature through Baylor Athletics that gives you the student-athlete's perspective and the chance for them to share their own story. Justin Braverman, a senior from Naples, Florida, finished his Baylor tennis career with a 33-22 record in singles (10-1 in dual matches) and 37-16 mark in doubles (16-6 in duals). The former 4-star recruit had his most successful season as a sophomore in 2022-23, when he was 19-8 in doubles and 17-6 in singles, finishing the season on an 11-match winning streak. A three-time ITA Scholar-Athlete, Justin is on pace to finish his master's degree in accounting, with a concentration in tax, this December:
Reflecting on my past four years at Baylor, I find myself struggling to culminate all my experiences into words. I have met so many great people who have changed my life in a different way. My journey has been remarkable, filled with everlasting memories, personal growth and lifelong experiences. Now, let's rewind a bit back to the beginning of my story.
All in the Family
I was born in Naples, Florida, and have two siblings, Josh, 23, and Zach, 19. My parents, David and Stacy, grew up loving the game of tennis, and they passed that trait on to my brothers and me. Most of our family activities were playing golf and tennis on the weekends. As a kid, I always loved being active, but something about being on the tennis court felt different. At the age of 13, I decided to focus solely on tennis, because I had a goal of playing at the collegiate level. My parents are one of the biggest reasons why this goal became a reality. My mom brought my brothers and me all over town to our practices, and my dad made sure he could travel with me around the country for tournaments. Whenever there were conflicting schedules with Josh and me for competition, my parents and Zach always ensured that people were there for support. Of course, you understand and appreciate the sacrifice your parents make for you when you're young, but it isn't until later that you completely grasp the extent of their commitment. I know I wouldn't be where I am today if it wasn't for my parents.
My two brothers, Josh and Zach, are also a big part of my journey to Baylor. Josh is one of my biggest mentors. It's not uncommon to look up to your older brother, but Josh really inspired me to work hard in the classroom and on the court. Josh is one of the smartest people I've ever met, and seeing him work tirelessly to play collegiate golf and simultaneously pursue a rigorous education spoke volumes to me. My parents have instilled the importance of school in all three of us, and seeing Josh pursue it made me want to follow in his footsteps. Zach has always been one of my biggest supporters. If he was not busy at his own sporting events, he would always support me at my matches. He has been a part of my tennis journey since day one, and I am thankful I have him in my corner.
Introduction to Baylor
As my junior year of high school approached, which is one of the most important years in terms of college recruitment, I was filled with mixed emotions. I was excited for the process to begin, but there was pressure for me to perform and get recognized by coaches. One day, my dad got a call from a new tennis recruiter named Chris Frusci. He asked me, "Have you considered looking at Baylor yet?" I hadn't considered it yet, but as I started researching the school and the team, I immediately knew this was my top choice. Baylor was one of the best teams in the country, so I viewed going to Baylor as a great opportunity to be around the best players and coaches from college and learn from them. I went on a visit a few months later with the head coach at the time, Brian Boland, the assistant coach at the time, now head coach Michael Woodson, and the second assistant at the time, now associate head coach Izak van der Merwe. Those few days I spent in Waco convinced me that this was the school for me. Everything from the tennis facility to the beautiful landscape of Baylor took my breath away. The culture on Baylor's team is about selflessness and being a part of something greater than yourself, which was exactly what I was looking for. Sometime later, Coach Boland flew to Naples to present my offer in person. This was one of the most memorable moments in my life, and I'm so happy that I shared it with my family.
Sometime after, COVID-19 hit, my high school tennis state tournament got canceled, which hit me hard because it was my last year, and we were favored to win. It was something that everyone was looking forward to from the beginning of the season. Also, the side effects of Accutane started to affect my tennis. It was tiring to be in the sun for long periods, and I had in-grown fingernails, making it painful to grip the racket. This and COVID-19 made getting on the court and practicing very difficult. During this time, I discovered that Brian Boland was no longer the head coach, and Michael Woodson was the new head coach. Although I was initially a little upset that I wouldn't get to play under Coach Boland, I knew that Woodson was a great coach and mentor and was excited to start my collegiate career with him.
Luckily, Florida was quick to open up, and I started playing at a new tennis academy called Gomez Tennis Academy. This is where I met one of my best friends and future Bear, Ethan Muza. Being the new kid anywhere you go is always tough, but Ethan immediately made me feel welcome, and we became friends from that moment on. It was great having him there, because we were always pushing each other to improve in fitness and on the court. When I learned he committed to Baylor, I was ecstatic knowing we would be on the same team. In May, Ethan and I went to watch Baylor play in the National Championship match in Orlando, and this was one of the best experiences. Seeing the love and support that everyone had for each other on and off the court only affirmed my desire to want to go to Baylor.
Putting the student in student-athlete
Thanks to the coaches' focus on player development on and off the court, I could pursue my academic goals to the full extent. I wanted to double major in Accounting and Management Information Systems, and the coaches were in my corner doing whatever they could to help me manage my schedule. I am currently working on getting my master's in accounting with a concentration in tax, and some of the classes only have one section. This proved challenging as they were normally in the afternoon, but the coaches ensured this didn't affect my tennis. I thank the academic coaches and others who have positively impacted my academic career.
My first year started off strong. I felt that I improved a lot in the fall and recorded some good results in singles and doubles, and I was looking forward to what the spring had in store. Unfortunately, I was in a car accident at the start of the spring and broke my clavicle bone, which required surgery. This meant that I couldn't get back on court again until April. This was a big setback for me because I was hyped for my first spring season. However, I am thankful to Emily, Jeremey, the coaches, Cole Durham, and everyone who poured into my recovery to help me get back on the court as fast as possible. Additionally, I am especially thankful to the team for their unwavering support of me during this tough time. I want to give a special shoutout to my captains, Sven Lah and Matias Soto, because they were role models for me. Coming from a K-12 school, it was an adjustment from something that has been constant my whole life to something new, but I was excited to start this new journey of my life. In addition, I was a "green" 18-year-old on a very old and experienced team. Immediately, they helped show me the standard for the team and helped me maintain it. There was a five-year age gap between us, but that didn't stop them from going out of their way to help me.
A memory that will last a lifetime
I will never forget the experience of winning the Big 12 tournament in 2022. It is my favorite college tennis memory, and one I will hold onto for the rest of my life. We beat two of our biggest rivals to win the title, Texas in the semifinals and TCU in the finals. The weather wasn't great during the final, so we moved the match indoors. The energy that everyone gave on and off the court was incomprehensible to me and made me understand what it means to play for Baylor.
Christoper Frantzen played a very special role in my personal growth at Baylor. From being my doubles partner in my sophomore year to my captain in my junior year, Chris has always been there for me whenever I needed help. Whether it was studying with him in the business school, practicing with each other, or just asking for advice about internships and life, Chris never hesitated to help. He cared tremendously about every guy on the team and wanted them to succeed both on and off the court. I consider him a friend for life.
Baylor holds a special place in my heart. It's a beautiful university filled with amazing people who consider you part of their family. What shocked me was that I was in Salt Lake City with my family this year for the Fourth of July. I wore my Baylor shirt to the parade, and people stopped me throughout the day to give me a Sic 'Em, Bears. I wasn't even in Texas but could still connect with the Baylor community. This moment made me fully understand that once you're a Bear, you're a Bear for life. Baylor instilled in me countless qualities that will help me succeed in the next chapter of my life. Outside of what I've learned from my professors, Baylor taught me how to work effectively in a team, communicate with people and be a leader. Being here all four years, I had the opportunity to be the person who looked up to the seniors to someone who was looked up to as a senior. Each role requires a specific skill, and I am very glad I could experience it because, in the professional workspace, I will need to learn how to succeed as an associate and as a senior on the team.
Thank you, Baylor
I am immensely grateful for the opportunity to join the Baylor men's tennis team under former head coach Brian Boland. His belief in my potential and willingness to take a chance on me allowed me to join the best program in the nation.
I want to give a big thanks to my current head coach, Michael Woodson. He had one of the biggest impacts on my life at Baylor. He doesn't just care about your development as a tennis player; he also cares tremendously about how you develop as a person, because he wants you to walk out the doors at Baylor a better person than you were when you arrived. He helped me come out of my shell by always challenging me to "invite the tough stuff." Reflecting on the past four years, I am happy that he challenged me, because I am a way better person. I can always turn to him for help, and I know he will always do everything he can for me, and every one of my teammates.
I am also grateful for everything that Izak van der Merwe has done for me. Regarding my serve and volleys, he helped me look at my game from new perspectives, which paid big dividends, because I saw significant improvements in these areas. To have someone like Izak, with all of his accolades, in my corner was truly special, and I am thankful for the opportunity to have worked with him for the past four years.
I want to thank Jacqui Haddock for everything she has done for me and the Baylor tennis program. She oversees game day operations, team travel, video, apparel and equipment, business responsibilities, and the team's camps. It's not easy being responsible for all of these things, but Jacqui manages it all incredibly well. Without her, so many things we get to do each year wouldn't be possible.
In addition, I want to thank all my other coaches who made this stage of my journey so incredible: Grey Hamilton, Nich Ochran, George Goldhoff, Cole Durham, Victoria Garcia, Emily Buccigross, Megan Rood, and Emma Starcher for their unwavering support and mentorship throughout my ups and downs. I want to thank my captains, Sven, Matias, Finn Bass, Juampi Mazzuchi, Chris Frantzen, Tadeas Paroulek, Oskar Brostrom Poulsen and Mark Miladinovic, for being exceptional and influential leaders. Also, I want to thank all my teammates who made this experience unforgettable.
The journey's not over
Lastly, I want to thank my girlfriend of almost six years, Inna Kuznetsova. We started dating in high school, so she understood how time-consuming being a student-athlete was. However, college was different because I was even busier. It's not easy being the girlfriend of an athlete, especially when they don't go to the same school as you, but she has always been so understanding and supportive of my goals and what it will take to achieve them. She has always been one of my biggest fans, and I am so grateful for everything she has done and sacrificed for me.
A common saying in life is, "it's not about the destination; what's important is the people you meet and the memories you gain along the way." The relationships I gained during my four years will last a lifetime and are what made my college experience so memorable. As this part of the journey ends, I know I won't compete on the Baylor team anymore, but I know I will be a Baylor Bear for the rest of my life.
Players Mentioned
/ Men's Tennis
/ Men's Tennis
/ Men's Tennis
/ Men's Tennis
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