Chambana Sun

Head coach Brad Dancer has announced the addition of Gabriel Debru to the University of Illinois' 2025 signing class. The French tennis player, who signed a Big Ten Athletics Aid Agreement, will join the Fighting Illini program in the fall.

"We are excited to add Gabriel to the Fighting Illini," said Dancer. "We obviously know the family incredibly well and have the utmost respect for how Thomas and Celine have raised their children. Having already been the top-ranked junior player in the world and found success at the Challenger level, Gabriel is a tremendous student and a highly accomplished tennis player, but what we feel sets him apart is his incredible passion. Our fans are going to fall in love with his spirit and zest for competing. We can't wait to get started helping Gabriel on the path to becoming his best."

Debru expressed enthusiasm about joining Illinois: "I chose to join Illinois because I love the way the coaches train the players and the mentality the team has," he said. "After my brother spent three years there, I believe it's going to help me grow a lot — both as a person and as a player. I am really looking forward to becoming part of the Illinois men's tennis program."

Debru hails from Grenoble, France, and holds career-high ATP rankings of No. 233 in singles and No. 273 in doubles. Since winning his first pro singles title in July 2023, he has secured two singles titles at ATP Challenger Tour events in Troyes, France (July 2024), and Como, Italy (August 2024). He also claimed three ITF tour singles titles: M15 Gubbio (Italy) in July 2023, M25 Uriage (France) in July 2024, and M25 Heraklion (Greece) in November 2024.

In doubles play, Debru has won one ATP Challenger title at St. Brieuc, France (October), along with two ITF titles at M15 Antalya (Turkey) and M15 Grenoble (France) in 2023.

At just 19 years old, Debru has competed three times in Roland-Garros singles qualifying rounds on one of four Grand Slam events on the ATP Tour.

Before turning professional, Debru won Roland-Garros Junior Championships' singles title in 2022 and became top-ranked ITF junior player globally by July that year while being runner-up at Wimbledon’s junior doubles bracket.

Currently ranked No. 263 for singles matches globally alongside holding position No .391 among other double participants worldwide; he follows footsteps taken by elder sibling Mathis who graduated earlier this spring after representing Fighting Illini men’s team over past trio seasons too!

Joining him within university ranks includes David Bakonyi , Sasha Colleu , Adam Jilly & Hayden Jones forming fifth member altogether under current intake class arrangements moving forward towards future endeavors alike!