The Georgia Institute of Technology, Georgia Tech, the Yellow Jackets — that which is called a rival by any other name would still be as hated, reviled and despised as the school that inhabits Atlanta’s North Avenue.

Apologies to the students and faculty of Park Hall for butchering “Romeo and Juliet,” but the University’s rivalry with Tech remains of paramount importance, even in men’s tennis.

“It’s definitely grown on me,” said senior tri-captain John Isner of Greensboro, N.C.

“Coach is always talking about how our biggest rival for tennis is not Florida. It’s Georgia Tech.”

The No. 1 Georgia men’s tennis team (3-0) hopes to continue its recent solid play as it faces a Georgia Tech squad ranked 28th in the nation. The Yellow Jackets (2-1) have not beaten the Bulldogs since 1988.”It’s a big match,” Georgia head coach Manuel Diaz said.

“Georgia Tech is definitely one of our toughest rivals, and they have their best team in many years. It’s going to be a tough environment. I hope many of our fans will be able to make the trip.”

Diaz has never lost to Georgia Tech in his nineteen seasons as head coach.

With the USTA/ITA National Indoor Championships this weekend, Isner said that a win against Tech will help the team as it looks to defend last season’s indoor national championship .

“If we can come away with a convincing win like we hope to do, it will give us a lot of confidence for this weekend,” Isner said.

Diaz agrees that the match is one the team cannot afford to overlook.

“We need to keep high focus, high intensity,” Diaz said. “I think we’ll be ready.”

Sophomore Josh Varela, as a Watkinsville native, knows the importance of beating the Yellow Jackets

Varela said, “Obviously, it’s the biggest rival as a Bulldog, and coming from here, it’s always great to beat Tech. It’s big time.”