Hemmeler Selected for World University Games

DURHAM, N.C. – Duke recent graduate Raphael Hemmeler was selected to represent his native Switzerland at the World University Games July 3-14 in Gwangju City, South Korea. The tennis competition will take place July 4-12.

Hemmeler will join Blue Devil outside hitter Emily Sklar and sprinter Madeline Kopp as Duke current or former student-athletes at the event. Sklar and Kopp will be part of the United States' contingent.

“I am proud and excited that Rafa has earned this unique honor to represent Switzerland and Duke in the games,” head coach Ramsey Smith said. “This is such a special event and great opportunity for Rafa to compete at the highest international level.”

A product of Zurich, Switzerland, Hemmeler wrapped up his career in 2015. He ended his time at Duke ranked second in program history in combined wins with 231 (116 singles/115 doubles), second in ACC doubles wins (29), tied for third in ACC singles wins (32), fourth in singles victories and doubles wins, tied for sixth in doubles winning percentage (.747) and sixth in singles winning percentage (.753).

Hemmeler had one of his finest seasons as a senior during 2014-15 and was named the 2015 ITA Carolina Region Farnsworth Senior Player of the Year, a second team All-ACC honoree and the team MVP. He earned bids to the NCAA Singles and Doubles Championships and reached a season-high ranking of 57th from the ITA entering the NCAA Team Championship. He became the 14th member of Duke's 100-career singles win club and finished the year with a team-best 35-10 record, tied for the sixth most wins in a year in program history.

The World University Games are an international multi-sport event for university athletics organized by the International University Sports Federation. The games are held every two years in a different city around the world, representing both winter and summer competitions.

The tennis competition will take place at the Jinwol International Tennis Court, which was just completed in April of 2015.

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