ROSEMONT, Ill. – Penn State sophomore Emil Matikainen has been named Player of the Week and Gustavo Albieri of Michigan chosen as Freshman of the Week by the Big Ten Conference for matches played Oct. 1-4.
 
Player of the Week
Emil Matikainen, Penn State
So. – Helsinki, Finland

• Amassed a 9-1 combined record during the team’s home opener – the Penn State Invitational, held Oct. 2-4
• Went unbeaten in five singles matches, not dropping a set; captured 60-of-81 games for a .741 winning percentage
• Teamed with Marcus Schoeman to post a 4-1 ledger in doubles
• Earns his first Big Ten Player of the Week Award
• Last Nittany Lion recognized as player of the week: Loren Byers (March 12, 2025)

Freshman of the Week
Gustavo Albieri, Michigan
Fr. – Campinas, Brazil

• Making his collegiate debut, compiled a 5-2 overall record at the Hope College Racquet Sports Management (RSM) Dual for the Shoe Invitational in Holland, Mich.
• Won his first two singles matches in super tiebreaker fashion
• Joined forces with Nicholas Heng to go 3-1 in doubles, defeating an entry from Wisconsin and posting two wins against Western Michigan
• Becomes first Wolverine to secure a Big Ten weekly award this season
• Last Michigan player chosen freshman of the week: Max Dahlin (Feb. 11, 2026)

 
2026-27 Big Ten Men’s Tennis Weekly Awards
Sept. 23       
P: Jeremy Zhang, Sr., ILL
F: Denis Petak, Fr., OSU
 
Sept. 30       
P: Nikita Filin, Jr., OSU
F: Ilija Palavestra, R-Fr., OSU
 
Oct. 7           
P: Emil Matikainen, So., PSU
F: Gustavo Albieri, Fr., MICH