Tennys Sandgren expected to turn pro

After winning two Future summer events, Tennessee's Tennys Sandgren is on the verge of turning pro.

But Vols coach Sam Winterbotham isn't giving up hope that Sandgren will return for his junior season.

Winterbotham said he's been "led to believe'' Sandgren will turn pro, "but I'm not ready to say he's gone until next week.''

Sandgren will participate Thursday in the U.S. Open wild-card tournament. The winner of the eight-player event — which includes former Vol Rhyne Williams — gets a berth into the main draw of the U.S. Open.

"I'm not in a position to say he's turning pro because that closes the door,'' Winterbotham said Tuesday night.

"Tennys wants to be a professional tennis player. He's made that clear. But he's still seeking advice.

"It's not that he doesn't have the ability. It's whether he's ready. He's leaning toward going pro but the door is not closed.''

Sandgren entered the summer circuit with "low expectations,'' but winning two low-level pro events changed his outlook.

"As coaches, we're ecstatic for him,'' Winterbotham said. "Considering the field, we knew he was capable of winning the tournaments.''

Sandgren — who could not be reached for comment — had a goal of obtaining 10 ATP points. He got 39. But that doesn't mean he's ready for the pros.

"He's not beaten anybody in the top 500,'' Winterbotham said. "Not that he's not capable. But these tournaments are a not a gauge of whether you can beat Mardy Fish (the highest ranked U.S. player at No. 8 in the world).

"He has to decide in his mind: Can I get better faster staying and playing (on the pro circuit) or coming back (to UT).''

Sandgren would be the only player among the top five on last year's UT team to return. Williams declared for the pros earlier this summer. John-Patrick Smith, Boris Conkic and Matteo Fago completed their senior seasons.

"To be honest, it would be very disappointing to lose Tennys,'' Winterbotham said. "We believe he can be a pro with the great developmental path he is on at Tennessee. We believe it would be beneficial for him to come back.''

UT classes begin today. Sandgren already has his class schedule, but his future as a Vol is bleak.

"I think in his mind he will (go pro),'' Winterbotham said. "I'd love for him to evaluate himself against the level of competition (at the U.S. Open wild-card event) and have people who know what it takes to evaluate him. Maybe they'll say this is the right time to turn pro. Maybe they won't.''