AUBURN, Ala. – Auburn has signed international players Merna Refaat and Emma Tothová, women’s tennis head coach Jordan Szabo announced on Monday. Both players will join the Tigers in August for the 2024-25 season.
“We are thrilled to have Emma and Merna join us at Auburn,” said Szabo. “Both girls can play at a really high level as is evident by their WTA career high rankings and results. What is most exciting is that both want to play at the next level, and they know Auburn can help them get there. We can’t wait to help them develop and create value for their futures. Thanks to Emma, Merna and their families for trusting us. War Eagle!”
Refaat is a native of Giza, Egypt and is the winner of two J5 junior tournaments held in Cairo. She also claimed the doubles title at the ITF 15K in Monastir, Tunisa, alongside rising Auburn junior Angella Okutoyi in May.
International experience will be coming to the Plains this fall 🦅
— Auburn Women's Tennis (@AuburnWTennis) July 22, 2024
Excited to welcome Egypt’s Merna Refaat to the Auburn Family ✍️#WarEagle pic.twitter.com/TBQ2aI0d3m
The 19-year-old also has two additional ITF doubles wins and a singles title from the ITF 15K Monastir in 2022. Refaat, who also was a swimmer in high school, will join the Tigers from the Arab Academy for Science, Technology & Martine Transport.
Refaat holds a career-high WTA singles ranking of No. 706 and doubles ranking of No. 637. She also has represented Egypt in the Billie Jean King Cup international competition for the past three years and won the doubles gold medal at the 2024 African Games.
Tothová will join the team as a freshman from Bratislava, Slovakia. The 18-year-old won two junior ITF doubles titles in 2021 at the J5 Stobrec and the J5 Dakar. Tothová holds a career-high ITF junior ranking of 392nd and her career-high WTA singles ranking is No. 716.
One of the top juniors in Slovakia will be joining the Tigers this fall 🐅
— Auburn Women's Tennis (@AuburnWTennis) July 22, 2024
Excited to announce the signing of Emma Tothovà ✍️#WarEagle pic.twitter.com/6vv7nIITst
Tothová represented the Slovak Republic in juniors and is one of the top junior players in Slovakia.