2024 ITA Scholar-Athlete
2021, 2023-24 SEC Academic Honor Roll
SEC Freshman of the Week (2/19/20)
As a Fifth-Year Senior (2023-24)
Singles Record: 14-9 dual // 5-6 SEC
Doubles Record: 12-8 dual // 5-3 SEC
Manuel opened his final season as a Razorback with an 8-2 record headed into conference play. Manuel recorded ranked victories over No. 105 Horak (MTSU) and No. 80 Pau Fanlo (Memphis) during the stretch and claimed the winning point in Arkansas’ match against Drake. Manuel posted an 18-10 overall singles record and primarily competed at the No. 3 position in dual matches, registering a 13-8 record which tied for the most wins by a Razorback on a single court during the spring. During SEC contests, Manuel finished with a 5-6 record and picked up his third ranked victory of the season after a three-set win over No. 106 Ganesan (Florida). Manuel clinched Arkansas’ victories over No. 52 Vanderbilt and No. 35 Georgia in the second round of the SEC Tournament and secured a point for the Hogs in wins against No. 25 Auburn and No. 8 Texas A&M. In doubles, Manuel competed on all three courts throughout the year while partnering with Jared Horwood and Alan Sau Franco for a majority of the season. At the start of non-conference play, Manuel and Horwood won their first three matches and achieved another three-match winning streak in February, including a standout victory over No. 10 Bouchelaghem/Zharyn (Washington). Manuel began competing with Sau Franco at the start of SEC play, where the duo won their first four matches. The tandem clinched the doubles point for the Razorbacks in all of their initial three matches, including in Arkansas’s victory over No. 52 Vanderbilt. The pair additionally helped the Hogs take the doubles point in matches against No. 24 South Carolina and No. 53 Ole Miss. The team earned a 6-3 win in the second round of the SEC Tournament over Mahjoob/Perez Peña (Georgia).
As a Senior (2022-23)
Singles Record: 9-11 dual // 1-9 SEC
Doubles Record: 12-10 dual // 0-8 SEC
In his senior season, Manuel opened dual play with a seven-match win streak in non-conference play. Manuel posted a 10-12 overall singles record, including a ranked win over Texas A&M’s No. 66 Raphael Perot. In doubles play, Manuel started the season playing primarily on court one with partner Stefanos Savva where the duo posted a 4-3 record. During conference play, Manuel teamed back up with Adrien Burdet in doubles to hold a 5-7 record. The duo had a ranked win over Tulsa’s No. 51 Kody Pearson and Connor Di Marco.
As a Junior (2021-22)
Singles Record: 16-5 dual // 3-1 SEC
Doubles Record: 14-9 dual // 6-7 SEC
Opened the season winning seven of his first eight singles matches… Downed Mark Wallner at the No. 6 spot in straight sets, 6-2, 7-5, to help upset No. 3 Tennessee… Teamed with Adrien Burdet to beat No. 48 Billy Rowe/Blake Croyder of UGA, 7-6 (7-5)… The doubles duo of Manuel and Burdet earned three-straight wins in SEC matches against No. 20 Kentucky, LSU, and No. 12 Texas A&M.
As a Sophomore (2020-21)
Singles Record: 8-10 dual // 3-6 SEC
Doubles Record: 7-5 dual // 2-3 SEC
In his second season as a Razorback, Manuel registered a 8-9 dual record in singles play and a 7-5 record in doubles play. Manuel began the dual season on a five-match win streak to help the Razorbacks start the season out 5-0. In the upset over No. 3 Tennessee, Manuel defeated Volunteer Mark Wallner, 6-2, 7-5, to help lead the Hogs to the 4-3 victory.
As a Freshman (2019-20)
*Season Ended Early Due To COVID-19*
Singles Record: 6-6 dual // 0-2 SEC
Doubles Record: 7-3 dual // 1-1 SEC
Held a 3-1 singles record at the No. 4 spot … Earned a win over Reid Jarvis (Drake), 6-0, 6-3, in his first appearance as a Razorback … Defeated Rahul Dhokia in straight sets to help the Razorbacks upset No. 5 Baylor (Feb. 1), 4-3 … Ended his singles season with a pair of 6-0, 6-0 straight set wins against Pine-Bluff … Teamed with Jose Dominguez Alonso to lead the Razorbacks in doubles play with a 7-3 record … Finished the season in doubles play with a win over the pairing of Wilson/Slavic from No. 14 Ole Miss.
In high school
Won the region title with club team T.C. Plaisin and was coached by former Mississippi State All-American Christophe Damiens (1991). Melvin is majoring in Finance with an emphasis in Financial Investment and Management.
