On The Plains with Thomas Kennedy: "Those memories are irreplaceable"

For Thomas Kennedy, tennis has always been more than a sport; it’s a family legacy. With a mother who played at Georgia Tech, a father who played at Emory, and an uncle who competed professionally, he grew up surrounded by the game. One childhood memory stands out vividly: walking through the U.S. Open player lounge with his uncle and meeting players like Novak Djokovic. That passion eventually led him to Auburn after transferring from Furman.

“My uncle being the coach obviously drew me to Auburn a lot,” Kennedy said. “I felt like this gave me a much better opportunity for my tennis to improve. Being in the SEC at a bigger school allowed me to grow as a tennis player and as a person. And being under my coach, who is my uncle, was a really cool opportunity that not a lot of people have.”

After being selected to the Southern Conference All-Freshman Team in 2023 and earning second-team All-SoCon honors in 2024, Kennedy made the decision to make a change. Transferring to Auburn wasn’t just about tennis, it was about maturing, finding direction and discovering who he wanted to become.

“Coming from Furman, I was still a child,” said the Auburn senior. “I didn’t know what I wanted to do. Thanks to the team, coaches and everybody here, I’ve been able to accomplish those goals and figure out where I want to go.”

The Harbert College of Business played a major role in that growth. As a finance major, he found mentors and opportunities that helped confirm his career path. After graduation, he plans to work in wealth management at UBS. Kennedy said he still plans to play tennis for a while and return to the Plains often.

If there’s one thing he emphasizes, it’s the closeness of the team.

“We try to eat together for almost every meal,” Kennedy said. “We spend a lot of time together on weekends and when we’re traveling. I would say we probably have one of the closest teams I’ve ever been a part of.”

Those relationships are what he will remember most.

“I will remember the team and the guys,” Kennedy said. “Those memories are irreplaceable, and you won’t get that anywhere else. They have made my time here very special.”

Some of his favorite memories are the little things, like the team taking over the student center’s gaming room. Outside of tennis, he also enjoyed following Auburn basketball.

“I really enjoyed going to the basketball games last year,” Kennedy said. “I followed basketball very closely, and it was exciting to watch and cheer on.”

What truly defines Auburn for Kennedy is the people.

“The Auburn Family is the support you get from your team, coaches, staff, media members and everybody,” Kennedy said. “Even the fans who come out to every home match. You see the same faces, people come up to you and say hi and shake your hand. If you reciprocate that back, that’s what Auburn Family is.”

Tennis has shaped him in ways that extend far beyond the court.

“Hard work, for sure,” he said. “Tennis has really taught me how to put my head down and go to work, and how to apply that to the real world. You have to be ready every time you step out on that court. If you’re not ready, you will not win. It’s cutthroat.”

During his collegiate career, Kennedy has recorded more than 45 singles victories and over 80 combined career wins. His message to future student-athletes is simple: stay on top of academics.

“When you first get here, get on top of your schoolwork,” said the first-time SEC Academic Honor Roll selection. “Take it a little at a time, and everything else comes after. If you’re on top of that, life is very easy. If you’re not, life is very, very hard.”