TEMPE, Ariz. – The Southeastern Conference’s all-time leader in wins and former Georgia men’s tennis head coach Manuel Diaz, along with 2005 NCAA doubles champion John Isner, have been named to the ITA Men’s Collegiate Tennis Hall of Fame Class of 2026, the Intercollegiate Tennis Association announced Monday.

“I’m incredibly thrilled for Manny and John on their well-deserved induction into the ITA Tennis Hall of Fame,” said Georgia men’s tennis coach Jamie Hunt. “Their incredible achievements and leadership have made a lasting impact on collegiate tennis. They are two individuals who have brought so much pride to the University of Georgia.”

Diaz, the SEC’s all-time winningest coach and sixth-winningest coach in NCAA men’s tennis history with 781 career victories, served as Georgia’s head coach for 36 seasons. A member of the Georgia Sports Hall of Fame, Georgia Tennis Hall of Fame, Puerto Rican Tennis Hall of Fame, and USTA Southern Tennis Hall of Fame, Diaz made an indelible impact on collegiate tennis. He led Georgia to an unprecedented 29 Southeastern Conference championships, four NCAA national titles (1999, 2001, 2007, and 2008), and two ITA Indoor National Championships. He was named SEC Coach of the Year seven times and ITA National Coach of the Year on three occasions.

During his 46-year association with the Georgia men’s tennis program, Diaz was a two-time All-American from 1972–75 and later served on Coach Dan Magill’s staff as an assistant and associate head coach from 1982–88. He was part of each of Georgia’s national championship teams and captured SEC championships in each of the last five decades.

Isner arrived at the University of Georgia as one of the nation’s top prospects and quickly left his mark. He won the 2005 NCAA doubles title with partner Antonio Ruiz-Rosales, reached the 2007 NCAA singles final, and led Georgia to the 2007 NCAA team championship — the program’s fifth. Isner holds the school record for most career doubles wins and is tied with current ITA Hall of Famer Al Parker for most singles wins in program history. He finished his collegiate career with 276 combined victories.

As a professional, Isner reached a career-high ATP world ranking of No. 8, compiled a 489–317 singles record, and won 16 ATP titles, including the 2018 Miami Open — a Masters 1000 event. The North Carolina native is also remembered for competing in the longest Grand Slam match in history: an 11-hour, 5-minute marathon in the opening round at Wimbledon in 2010.

Diaz and Isner join seven other University of Georgia inductees: Matias Boeker, Allen Miller, Al Parker, and Mikael Pernfors as players; Dan Magill as a coach; and Gordon Smith and Col. John L. “Judge” Beaver as contributors.

Also named to this year’s class is John Frierson, curator of the ITA Men’s Tennis Hall of Fame. In addition to his work as a University of Georgia Athletic Association staff writer, Frierson dedicates his time to researching future inductees and preserving collegiate tennis history.

Rounding out the ITA Hall of Fame Class of 2026 are Keith Anderson of the University of Illinois and Steve Johnson of the University of Southern California. The induction ceremony will take place in May 2026, prior to the NCAA Division I Tennis Championships, which are set to be hosted at the Dan Magill Tennis Complex.