Men's Tennis Signs Jarryd Botha
11/18/2009 12:00:00 AM | Men's Tennis
Nov. 18, 2009
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. - Head coach Billy Pate received a letter of intent from Jarryd Botha to join the Crimson Tide men's tennis team in January of 2010.
"Jarryd will be an outstanding addition to our squad this spring," said Pate. "He is exceptionally athletic and possesses all court skills that will allow him to make an immediate impact on our roster."
Botha is a native of Cape Town, South Africa. He has been ranked as high as No. 161 in the International Tennis Federation world rankings this year. Botha owns a 22-5 singles record on the ITF circuit, claiming back-to-back tournament titles at the Gauteng East Junior ITF in Johannesburg and the South African Airways ITF in Durban. He also has a 15-5 doubles record, including winning one title at an ITF event in Botswana. Botha is coached by his father Dean, who was a former player on the professional tour and competed in Davis Cup for South Africa. Dean also served as the primary coach to current Alabama sophomore Michael Thompson and former Tide great Stephen Mitchell, who played for Alabama from 2001 to 2004.
Botha was named the best individual player for his junior inter-provincial team for the 2009 season, while also participating as a member of the Africa Cup team in 2008. He also competed in rugby, cricket, and squash for Reddam House High School in Cape Town, earning the director's award for sporting honors.
"Jarryd is an ideal fit for the type of player and person we want representing our program," added Pate. "He has been well coached by his father, and it will be exciting to watch his progress during his career. Though he has extensive international experience, he is still young (17) and hasn't come close to reaching his full potential."
