Indeed, the match marked the first time the team has played outside since October.

“The really dangerous point in the season for us is [the first time] going outdoors,” Fish said. “With the Harvard schedule, there’s usually no way to be able to hit outside for even a day before you’re playing someone that’s been playing outside all the time.”

This year was different, though. According to Lingman, the players put much effort into preparing for the change in weather. They wore long sleeves indoors to simulate the warmer conditions and sometimes employed older, scuffed tennis balls to reproduce the longer, slower points which are more typically played outside.

“We went down on Friday, and we had two practices on Saturday to try to get used to the conditions,” Chu said. “It was really windy, it was about eighty degrees, and the sun was pretty hot and taxing.”

Braving the heat were many Harvard fans, among them “honorary coach” and Dean of the College Benedict H. Gross ‘71.

“I joined the team at Bollettieri’s academy…on Saturday for their practice (although hitting with me is no practice for them),” Gross said.

While his rallying skills might have not have tested the Crimson, Gross did “lead” a fourth doubles team to victory in an exhibition match.

“I now plan to retire,” Gross said, “as the only undefeated coach in Harvard’s history.”