Sara Kastakova, a top-ranked junior tennis player from Slovakia, has signed with the Arkansas State University women’s tennis team, head coach Sujay Lama announced on April 27.
Kastakova’s signing is seen as a significant addition to the Red Wolves program. She currently holds a career-high International Tennis Federation Juniors ranking of No. 295 and an ITF Women’s ranking of No. 413. She is also ranked No. 6 among Slovak national juniors, reflecting her consistent performance in both junior and senior competitions.
“We are thrilled to have Sara join our Red Wolf family,” Lama said. “She checks all the boxes – outstanding student, great talent and athleticism, world class work ethic but most importantly a high character person who will make an impact right away both on and off the court.”
Kastakova said she was drawn to Arkansas State by the team’s atmosphere and values. “I chose Arkansas State because from the very first moment I felt a strong connection with the team, the girls, coaches, and the overall environment,” she said. “The family atmosphere, combined with a competitive mindset, made me feel that this is the right place for me to grow both as a player and as a person.
Tennis has always been a huge part of my life, and I am excited to take the next step with the Red Wolves and represent the scarlet and black colors with pride. I am looking forward to working hard every day, improving my game, and contributing to the team’s success.”
Kastakova’s recent achievements include winning her second Slovak U18 Doubles Championship title in 2025 and finishing as singles finalist at that year’s Slovak U18 Championships. She contributed to two Slovak U18 Team Championship titles in 2024 and 2025 while also earning second place in Slovakia’s Women’s Extraliga during those years.
Her international results feature victories such as winning doubles at J100 Cyprus Juniors (2025), reaching doubles finals at J200 Pieštany Juniors (2025), capturing singles titles at J60 Tallinn (2024), doubles titles at J60 Široki Brijeg (2024) and Rabat (2023), along with earlier singles wins at J30 Stobrec (2023) and Maria Lanzendorf in Austria (2023).
With these accomplishments behind her, Kastakova joins Arkansas State looking ahead to further growth both on court competition and within her new collegiate environment.
