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Not even Sam Winterbotham could have predicted the remarkable success of Tennessee's youthful men's tennis team.

The No. 8 Vols (18-2, 7-2 SEC) are off to their best start since 1990, when coach Mike DePalmer's team went 34-0 before losing in the national championship match.

"I think if you'd given me those numbers at the start of the year,'' Wintherbotham said, "I'd have snatched your hand off.''

In his second year, Wintherbotham knew he had talent, but his singles lineup has four freshmen. Youth hasn't stopped UT from earning a first-round bye in the SEC tournament.

In fact, young players have been the catalyst with their remarkable improvement.

"Matteo Fago is a great example,'' Wintherbotham said. "When he came in as a freshman, he struggled against good competition. I remember him telling me, 'Coach, give me a month and I'll be playing a lot better tennis.' He was true to his word.''

The four freshmen are a combined 29-5 in SEC singles. Fago, from Italy, is 9-0. Freshman J.P. Smith of Australia, ranked No. 25, has taken over the No. 1 spot for the most part in singles and is 21-9. Boris Conkic of Serbia has won 11 of his last 12 matches. Jeremy Tweedt of France is 8-1 in the SEC, 12-1 overall.

"I knew J.P. would play at the top of the lineup eventually,'' Wintherbotham said. "I did not expect him to make as big an impact immediately. He's a great competitor. He's a gamer. He loves to compete. He's been a wonderful surprise.''

The doubles team of Smith and Kaden Hensel, the lone senior, is 16-2, 8-1 SEC, and ranked No. 17 in the nation.

"Those two have been the bedrock of our success in doubles,'' Wintherbotham said. "We feel our one doubles team can compete with anybody in the country.''

Wintherbotham said Hensel has handled well being move to No. 2 in singles.

"He's been fantastic,'' the coach said. "He wants this team to win a championship. That's the bottom line.''

The Vols play host to No. 35 Kentucky today at 1 p.m. at the UT Outdoor Varsity Courts then entertain No. 3 Georgia (9-0 SEC) next weekend.

Never-Ever: The 19th annual Never Ever Senior Novice tennis program is being offered again April 28-May 10 by the Greater Knoxville Tennis Association.

The nationally recognized program is designed to teach seniors 50 and older who have never or seldom play the basics of the game.

For a minimal fee, sessions are offered at two locations in Knoxville: at Tyson Family Tennis Center 6-7:30 p.m. Mondays and Wednesdays, and 10-11:30 a.m. at the Murphy Courts in West Hills Park on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

Seniors teach seniors the basics with the assistance in some sessions from area tennis pros. A final session with a party will be held May 10 at a site to be determined.

Free follow-up sessions will be held after the initial program ends for those who want further instruction and practice.

Applications for the program are available at area tennis clubs.

Call Jerry Carney at 865-531-1737.

Tennis Is popular: While some contend the popularity of recreational tennis is down, numbers suggest that has not been the case locally - or nationally.

The Greater Knoxville Tennis Association says enrollment for adult and senior leagues was 4,631 last year, up from 3,605 in 2003.

Junior league enrollment was 1,506, up from 979 in 2003. This does not count high school teams.

And the GKTA has won numerous USTA awards for growth and participation.

While participation in local tournaments might be down because of time commitments, league play and clinics are attracting more and more players.

The Knox County area has 104 public courts, but according to a GKTA study, only 61 city and county public courts are playable.

On the national scene, the U.S. Open in Flushing Meadows claims to be the highest-attended annual sporting event in the world. And the U.S. Open Series television viewership topped 46 million for the first time.

Moreover, tennis in the U.S. grew on every level in 2007. The USTA topped 720,000 memberships for the first time.

Jimmy Hyams is sports director for The Sports Animal radio station. For tennis notes, call 865-212-4619 or fax information to 865-558-4218.

© 2008, Knoxville News Sentinel Co.