Miķelis Lībietis (born 9 July 1992 in Sigulda) is a Latvian tennis player that competes on the ATP Challenger Tour and the ITF Men's Circuit. On 28 November 2016, he reached his highest ATP singles ranking of 352, and his highest doubles ranking of 141 was achieved on 28 August 2023. He has also been a regular member of the Latvian Davis Cup team since 2014.

Miķelis Lībietis
Country (sports) Latvia
ResidenceCēsis, Latvia
Born (1992-07-09) 9 July 1992 (age 32)
Sigulda, Latvia
Height1.88 m (6 ft 2 in)
PlaysRight Handed (Double Handed Backhand)
Prize money$ 74,844
Singles
Career record1–7 (at ATP Tour level, Grand Slam level, and in Davis Cup)
Career titles0
0 Challenger, 6 Futures
Highest rankingNo. 352 (28 November 2016)
Doubles
Career record6–2 (at ATP Tour level, Grand Slam level, and in Davis Cup)
Career titles0
2 Challenger, 9 Futures
Highest rankingNo. 141 (28 August 2023)
Current rankingNo. 148 (15 January 2024)
Last updated on: 19 January 2024.

He played NCAA college tennis at the University of Tennessee, graduating with a degree in Sociology – Criminal Justice in May 2015.

College career

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Libietis arrived at Tennessee before the 2011–12 season and was one of four newcomers on the team, so he immediately found a role at the top of the lineup, a spot he has held for a majority of his All-American career.

As a sophomore in 2012–13, he earned the Intercollegiate Tennis Association national No. 1 ranking in singles and doubles with fellow sophomore Hunter Reese. He was the first Tennessee player in program history to hold both rankings simultaneously.[1] He joined Andy Kohlberg, Paul Annacone, Chris Woodruff, John-Patrick Smith, and Rhyne Williams as Tennessee players to hold the No. 1 ranking.

In 2013–14, Libietis and Reese backed up their top national ranking by winning two major national titles. They won the ITA All-American Championships in October 2013.[2] In May, they became the first Tennessee doubles team since 1980 to win the NCAA Doubles Championship, beating Ohio State's Peter Kobelt and Kevin Metka 7–6 (4), 6–7 (3), 7–6 (6).[3]

During his final college season, Libietis and Reese became the first team to win back-to-back doubles titles at the ITA All-American Championships. They also won the 2014 Knoxville Challenger.[4]

Challenger finals

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Legend
Grand Slam (0–0)
ATP Masters Series (0–0)
ATP Tour (0–0)
Challengers (4–5)

Doubles (4–5)

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Outcome W–L Date Tournament Surface Partner Opponents Score
Win 1–0 Nov 2014 Knoxville, USA Hard (i)   Hunter Reese   Gastão Elias
  Sean Thornley
6–3, 6–4
Win 2–0 Sep 2016 Columbus, USA Hard (i)   Dennis Novikov   Philip Bester
  Peter Polansky
7–5, 7–6(7–4)
Loss 2–1 Sep 2017 Cary, USA Hard   Dennis Novikov   Marcelo Arévalo
  Miguel Ángel Reyes-Varela
7–6(8–6), 6–7(1–7), [6–10]
Loss 2–2 Oct 2017 Stockton, USA Hard   Denis Kudla   Brydan Klein
  Joe Salisbury
2–6, 4–6
Loss 2–3 Nov 2017 Charlottesville, USA Hard (i)   Jarryd Chaplin   Denis Kudla
  Danny Thomas
7–6(7–4), 4–1 ret.
Loss 2–4 May 2023 Prague, Czech Republic Clay   Hunter Reese   Dan Added
  Albano Olivetti
4–6, 3–6
Win 3–4 Jul 2023 Chicago, United States Hard   Skander Mansouri   Chung Yun-seong
  Andrew Harris
7–6(7–5), 6–3
Win 4–4 Jul 2023 Granby, Canada Hard   Christian Harrison   Tristan Schoolkate
  Adam Walton
6–4, 6–3
Loss 4–5 Jul 2023 Cary, United States Hard   Adam Walton   Evan King
  Reese Stalder
3–6, 6–7(4–7)

References

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  1. ^ University of Tennessee. "Libietis Takes Over No. 1 Ranking". utsports.com. University of Tennessee. Retrieved 18 July 2022.
  2. ^ University of Tennessee. "Libietis, Reese Capture ITA All-American Title". utsports.com. University of Tennessee.
  3. ^ "Handshake & History". Retrieved 18 July 2022.
  4. ^ "Libietis, Reese Win Knoxville Challenger". Retrieved 18 July 2022.
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