Chan Cited as 2026 ITA Most Improved Player
6/16/2026 10:00:00 AM | Men's Tennis
Becomes the third Horned Frog to win a year-end national award
FORT WORTH – Duncan Chan's star ascended faster than any player in college tennis in 2025-26, and the recently-minted All-American accordingly padded his resume with one final accolade.
Chan was named the 2026 ITA Division I Most Improved Player, becoming the third player in program history to garner a year-end national award. From Markham, Ontario, Canada, Chan joins Alex Rybakov and Jake Fearnley, who were honored as ITA Rookie of the Year and ITA Most Improved Senior in 2016 and 2024, respectively, in exclusive company.
The rising senior is also the second collegian to receive the recognition. The ITA Most Improved Player award was incepted in 2025.
Chan's rapid development from a fringe member of TCU's singles lineup into a top-10 player and dual discipline All-American was one of the leading stories of the season. He entered his junior year having primarily played on court six as a freshman and sophomore.
After garnering the preseason ITA No. 106 singles ranking, Chan peaked as high as No. 5 in the national rankings in November and was tabbed No. 7 at the conclusion of the season. He also achieved the ITA No. 1 doubles ranking in March and maintained the top billing in three subsequent polls.
Chan was the toast of college tennis during the first month of the 2025-26 campaign. He defeated 10 ranked players in a two-week span in September. Chan swept the Battle in the Bay Classic singles and doubles titles, then came through the qualifying draw at the ITA All-American Championships to qualify for the NCAA Singles Championships.
The breakthrough fall saw Chan looked upon to lead a youthful Horned Frogs squad during the dual season. The lone returning upperclassmen letter winner in TCU's lineup, Chan anchored the 1-lines in both singles and doubles. He produced a 50-13 combined overall record (23-9 singles, 27-4 doubles), with 32 of his wins coming in dual matches. Chan posted a 17-7 singles record in ranked matches, with seven of the victories coming against players who featured in the top-40 of the final ITA rankings. He led TCU in total wins, singles wins, doubles wins and doubles winning percentage (.870).
Chan went unbeaten in singles play vs. Big 12 opposition en route to being named Conference Player of the Year and an All-Big 12 first team selection in both disciplines. He was one of only two players ranked in the top 10 nationally in singles and doubles at season's end alongside ITA National Player of the Year Dylan Dietrich (Virginia). Chan secured the ITA year-end No. 3 doubles ranking with Cosme Rolland De Ravel, his primary doubles partner, with whom he competed to a 22-2 record.
By virtue of his final ITA singles ranking, Chan was one of 23 athletes to qualify for the PIF ATP Next Gen Accelerator Program. Now in its fourth year, the joint initiative between the ATP and ITA affords Chan direct entry into ATP Challenger Tour events as means of increasing the development pathway for top players in the American college system.
Following a summer on tour, Chan is likely to begin the 2026-27 season in the top five of the ITA singles rankings. He is set to headline a Horned Frogs squad that will be among the leading contenders for the ITA and NCAA championships. Chan is one of five returning players from the Frogs' most common singles lineup in a 2026 season that culminated with an NCAA semifinal appearance, Big 12 Tournament title and a 25-6 overall record.
