Irmak Budak Won Horizon League Tennis Title

Irmak Budak secured the singles championship title after a three-set victory over Duru Kuscu.

Updated on Oct. 5, 2026 in Tennis

Expressive illustration of a tennis player in mid-swing, captured with visible brush strokes and motion blur in bright athletic colors. — Irmak Budak claimed the Horizon League singles tennis championship title after defeating Duru Kuscu in a three-set final match. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

Live Poll

Do you believe university athletics provide significant value to the participating student athletes?

Irmak Budak claimed the singles main draw title at the Horizon League Individual Championships after defeating Duru Kuscu. The victory secured Budak a spot in the upcoming ITA Conference Masters tournament.

Why it matters

The win marks a significant milestone for Budak within the conference, as the championship victory grants her entry into a prestigious national-level qualifying event.

Irmak Budak won her championship final match with a score of 6-2, 3-6, 6-2. She completed a total of five matches during the three-day individual championship event.

The players

Irmak Budak

Irmak Budak is the singles champion of the Horizon League Individual Championships.

Duru Kuscu

Duru Kuscu is the runner-up in the singles final of the Horizon League Individual Championships.

The details

Budak navigated through the tournament field by defeating five opponents, including Oliwia Klimas, Valentina Vallova, Hanna Telzynska, Theodora Kousiou, and finally Duru Kuscu. The event featured athletes representing universities including Cleveland State, Indiana University Indianapolis, Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Oakland, Youngstown State, and NIU.

The Horizon League Individual Championships took place from October 2 to October 4, 2026.
The ITA Conference Masters is scheduled for November 5 to November 8, 2026.

Basketball
Oct. 1
NCAA Will Reduce NIT and WBIT Fields to 24 Teams
Basketball
Sept. 29
Senate Passed Protect College Sports Act
Basketball
Sept. 28
Big Ten Prohibited Pro-Signed Basketball Players

Season Trajectory

This title win elevates Budak's standing within the collegiate tennis hierarchy, positioning her as a primary contender heading into the national qualifying series. The success directly impacts her postseason path by securing a bid to the upcoming ITA Conference Masters event.

Budak's performance secures her a guaranteed spot in the ITA Conference Masters, removing the uncertainty of selection for the next tournament tier. This victory also concludes her participation in the Horizon League individual circuit for the current season.

The takeaway

Success in collegiate individual championships often hinges on maintaining consistency across a condensed three-day tournament schedule. Athletes who demonstrate high-intensity performance in these leagues frequently see their rankings climb ahead of regional and national collegiate events.