Northwestern University Athletics
Photo by: Mary Grace Grabill/Northwestern Athletics
Margot Phanthala Named Big Ten Player to Watch
1/5/2026 1:00:00 PM | Women's Tennis
EVANSTON, Ill. - Margot Phanthala has been named a Big Ten Player to Watch, the conference announced on Monday. The first-year is set to begin her first dual season with the 'Cats this winter after an impressive fall of tournament play.
Phanthala, a native of Paris, France, played to a 6-2 singles record across three weekends of competition during the fall tournament season. Her fall was highlighted by a victory over the then-No. 10 ranked singles player in the nation, Michigan's Piper Charney, at the Wolverine Invite in October. She also advanced to the round of 32 at the ITA Midwest Regional before capping off her campaign with a perfect 3-0 singles record at the Notre Dame Invite in November.
The success culminated in the first ITA singles ranking of Phanthala's career, as she was tabbed the No. 39 women's player in the NCAA in the rankings released on Nov. 25.
Phanthala's time at Northwestern follows a successful juniors career, during which she collected four singles titles and a doubles title, ranking as high as No. 63 in the ITF Junior rankings. She notched 10 overall wins during her first collegiate action this fall, finishing with a combined singles and doubles record of 10-6.
Phanthala and the 'Cats are set to open their winter schedule with the Wildcat Duals this weekend, Jan. 9-11, before beginning dual play the following weekend on the east coast. Northwestern's full winter and spring dual schedule will be released in the coming days.
Phanthala, a native of Paris, France, played to a 6-2 singles record across three weekends of competition during the fall tournament season. Her fall was highlighted by a victory over the then-No. 10 ranked singles player in the nation, Michigan's Piper Charney, at the Wolverine Invite in October. She also advanced to the round of 32 at the ITA Midwest Regional before capping off her campaign with a perfect 3-0 singles record at the Notre Dame Invite in November.
The success culminated in the first ITA singles ranking of Phanthala's career, as she was tabbed the No. 39 women's player in the NCAA in the rankings released on Nov. 25.
Phanthala's time at Northwestern follows a successful juniors career, during which she collected four singles titles and a doubles title, ranking as high as No. 63 in the ITF Junior rankings. She notched 10 overall wins during her first collegiate action this fall, finishing with a combined singles and doubles record of 10-6.
Phanthala and the 'Cats are set to open their winter schedule with the Wildcat Duals this weekend, Jan. 9-11, before beginning dual play the following weekend on the east coast. Northwestern's full winter and spring dual schedule will be released in the coming days.
Players Mentioned
/ Women's Tennis
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