Inglot focused on elusive NCAA title

This afternoon, if you stumble upon a bare-chested Englishman at the Snyder Tennis Center wearing bright orange spandex with blue short shorts, a Mexican wrestling mask and a cape, don’t be alarmed.

That’s just Alex Inglot, the older brother of Virginia senior co-captain Dom Inglot. For the second year in a row, the 28-year-old lawyer has made the trip across the pond with his parents to support the Wahoos in the NCAA tournament.

Undefeated Virginia (29-0), the No. 1 seed, begins its quest for a national title when it hosts Navy in a first-round match at 1 p.m. The victor plays the North Carolina-South Carolina winner on Saturday. The Tar Heels and Gamecocks meet at 10 a.m. today.

“[He’s] one of the best Wahoo fans I’ve ever seen,” said Virginia coach Brian Boland, chuckling. “Although we have some great ones, he’s got to rank right up there as certainly one of the most dynamic and charismatic…he’s certainly one of the most interesting.”

Last season, the older Inglot was on hand in Tulsa, Okla., when Virginia was upset in the NCAA semifinals.

Now, baby brother with his college career winding down, is focused on one thing and one thing only — getting to College Station, Texas, the site of this year’s Final Four.

“There’s still a national championship to win,” Dom Inglot said. “It’s been a fantastic time here and I’ve had so much fun. All the guys on the team are like my brothers. It’s just such a great place to be. I love it. I want to win a national championship with [them].”

This season, Inglot has performed admirably in the No. 1 singles spot. With giant shoes to fill in the form of two-time NCAA individual champion Somdev Devvarman, the London, England native, nicknamed “The Dominator,” has gone 15-8.

“Dom’s meant everything to our program,” Boland said. “He’s not only been a great player for us, but he’s been an even better leader. He’s really developed his leadership skills as well as his tennis skills throughout his time here. It’s been a total joy to coach him. It’s certainly been a fun journey.”

One of Inglot’s best attributes is that he never takes himself too seriously. Inglot, just like his older brother, has a goofy side, and that has endeared him to teammates and fans alike.

“What makes ‘The Dominator’ ‘The Dominator’?” asked junior co-captain Houston Barrick, rhetorically. “His uncanny ability to win.”

“He’s had a fantastic year,” added sophomore Michael Shabaz, Inglot’s doubles partner. “This year has been his most consistent year and I think he’s been really happy about it. Hopefully he can continue it in the tournament because we’re really going to need him.”

Navy, which received an automatic win to the tournament after winning the Patriot League, hasn’t fared well against ACC competition this season. The Midshipmen (18-7) have lost to Maryland, North Carolina and Clemson by a combined score of 20-1.

Don’t, however, expect any letdown by Virginia. Boland poo-poohed any chance of that happening.

“This team has an unbelievable amount of discipline,” he said. “They know how to play and prepare for a tournament. I have no doubt we’re ready to go. We’ll take it one match at a time and I have no doubt our best tennis is in front of us.”

Inglot, who actually appeared in the 2004 movie “Wimbledon” as actor Paul Bettany’s stunt double, can’t wait to get going — and to see his brother’s latest outfit.

“I just don’t know myself what he’s going to do,” said Inglot, smiling. “He’s going to surprise me. He won’t tell me. My mom won’t tell me. My dad won’t tell me. He just said that in comparison to last season’s outfit, it’s better.

“He told me he has four different outfits, but that the big shebang was going to be in Texas. He’s saving it for Texas.”