Czech Republic native leading Hoosiers at No. 1 spot

It started for junior Jakub Praibis when he was four years old, hitting a ball against the wall. By age seven, he was on the court. Now, the 21-year-old native of Litomerice, Czech Republic, has emerged as one of the nation's best tennis players, leading the No. 68 Hoosiers (10-8, 4-2).\nPraibis, in his second year playing No. 1 singles for IU, has compiled a record of 12-5 this season, including five victories over ranked players. Praibis' career record at IU is 42-20.\nPlaying at No. 1 provides a lot of challenges for the Czech Republic native. He is always facing the team's best player, but it is a continual process of gaining experience, IU coach Ken Hydinger said.\n"He's had some big wins, and he is still learning from (playing No. 1)," Hydinger said. "He's stepping up. I was worried about it after losing to (Jeremy) Wurtzman, but he came ready to play the next time out. There are no easy matches, you have to be ready to scrap and claw for everything out there."\nMuch of the experience Praibis has gained from playing at No.1 has come against the nation's best, including No. 1 Wurtzman of Ohio State and No. 8 Jesse Witten of Kentucky, both of whom he took to three sets. \nThough Praibis' game has improved, making him a more versatile player, his mental approach to each match is more noticeable, allowing him to help pace the Hoosiers.\nThis was evident in IU's 6-1 victory over Michigan State, Hoosiers' associate head coach Matt Pledger said.\n"He wasn't 100 percent today, but he stayed in there and gave a good effort because that is what a team player does, and that is what you expect from one of your top players," Pledger said. "Mental toughness is the big difference. Last year he wouldn't have stepped up like that."\nFor the Hoosiers, it is easy to see why Praibis is an integral part of the team. He gives them a strong No. 1 player, which allows everyone on the roster to be pushed down a position and also wins big matches.\nThe Hoosiers feel they are fortunate to have a well-rounded person in Praibis at the top spot, Hydinger said. \n"I firmly believe that his game is better than his self-concept is. I think he can win that match against No. 1 Wurtzman, which tells you what I think of his ability," Hydinger said. "He's not an ego guy, and didn't get the swelled head with being at No. 1 -- he's a good student and hard worker and a good person." \nThough Praibis has his sights set on next season, he still is focusing on this year. He is concentrating on getting healthy and back to the playing form he was at earlier in the season.\nBeing injured provided one of the biggest moments this season, Praibis said. \n"Last week was interesting with the wrist hurting, I came back to win 7-5 in the third set (against Malcom Scatliffe of Penn State)," Praibis said. "It is always nice to win tough matches -- it probably wasn't my best performance, but it was a nice feeling."\nBoth Hydinger and Pledger said they feel Praibis can be a special player during his senior campaign. To do so, he will need to take his strength and conditioning to a different level, gaining more confidence, including the confidence that he can beat one anyone in the country, Hydinger said.\nThere is even the possibility of Praibis gaining All-American status, which has only happened twice in IU history. It would be big for the program not only in terms of recognition and recruiting, but it also allows players to learn from Praibis and step their game up to a different level, Pledger said.\nFor Praibis, his main focus remains to get healthy for this season and try and get to the NCAA tournament, but he is looking to the future as well. \n"It would be great if I could stay healthy throughout the whole season, and have the opportunity to beat great players," Praibis humbly said. "I would also like to get to the NCAA tournament as a team and in singles … and maybe even doubles."\n-- Contact staff writer Dan Click at daaclick@indiana.edu.