ATHENS, Ga. --- Georgia senior Nate Schnugg underwent knee surgery Tuesday in Athens and is scheduled to return to action when the dual match season begins in January. Schnugg injured his right knee on Saturday in the ITA Southeast Regional round of 16. He led Georgia Tech’s Miguel Muguruza 5-2 at the time of his injury.

“We wanted to do what was best for Nate long-term,” Georgia head coach Manuel Diaz said. “We were willing to give up the four to six months to repair Nate’s knee if that’s what he needed. For his benefit later in life, we wanted to make sure he was well taken care of. Nate will start rehab and will be on the road to recovery. He is excited about the prospects of coming back for the spring and is looking forward to making a speedy recovery. In a way our prayers have been answered.”

A native of Medford, Ore., Schnugg is currently ranked No. 4 nationally in singles and is ranked No. 2 with doubles partner Jamie Hunt. He is among the all-time winningest singles and doubles players in Georgia tennis history with a 116-29 singles record and a 95-32 doubles mark. 

Schnugg earned All-America honors in 2008 and 2009 and is a three-time All-SEC selection. He helped guide the Bulldogs to NCAA titles in 2007 and 2008.

Schnugg and the Bulldogs will play in the SEC Indoor Tournament Jan. 15-18. The dual match season begins in Athens against USC-Upstate on Jan. 23.