All-American Monday - Octavio "Tavo" Martinez

Octavio “Tavo” Martinez (1976)

Coral Gables, Fla. – Born in Mexico City, Mexico, Octavio “Tavo” Martinez was the 1970 National Junior Champion of Mexico, a member of Mexico’s Davis Cup team, a doubles semi-finalist in the 1971 US Junior Championships, a single’s semi-finalist in the 1972 Mexican National men’s tournament and reached the fourth round in singles play and the quarterfinals in doubles competition on the 1971 Orange Bowl tournament before becoming a Miami Hurricane. 

Coming into his freshman season as a Cane, Martinez ranked sixth in the Mexican men’s division. As a freshman, Martinez posted an overall record of 16-3 in singles competition while advancing to the fourth round by defeating veterans Daryl Hess (Big Eight Conference Champ), Bill Matyastik (Trinity), and Tom Gullickson (Northern Illinois) in the 1973 NCAA tournament. In doubles competition, Martinez posted an 8-3 overall mark.

Going into his sophomore season, Martinez was considered one of the outstanding young collegiate netman in the nation and he didn’t disappoint. Posting an overall singles record of 12-4, Martinez shined in doubles competition as he went 13-2 in the regular season and advanced to the quarterfinals of the 1974 NCAA tournament while teamed with All-American Joaquim Rasgado. His appearance in the quarters improved his overall doubles record to 16-3.

Building upon his freshman and sophomore seasons, Martinez put together an overall singles record of 21-4 and an overall record of 18-6 in doubles competition. For the third straight year, Martinez represented the Hurricanes in the NCAA tournament. In singles play, Martinez advanced to the fourth round while in doubles competition he advanced to the Round of 16. At the 1975 National Amateur Clay Court Championship, Martinez advanced to the semi-finals to face the famed Butch Walts after defeating the 1975 NCAA runner-up George Hardee in the quarterfinals.

In his final season on the Coral Gables campus, Martinez did not disappoint. In singles play, Martinez posted an 18-4 overall record while posting a 17-3 regular season doubles mark and advancing to the semi-finals of the 1976 NCAA tournament. For his success on the court, Martinez was selected to the 1976 All-American team.

In his four years as a Hurricane, Martinez posted a regular singles season record of 60-13 (.822) and a doubles record of 53-13 (.803). In addition to his .800+ winning percentage in both singles and doubles, Martinez represented the Hurricanes in the NCAA tournament in each of his four years on the Coral Gables campus.