Net News, Volume 1
1/13/2025 3:05:00 PM | Men's Tennis
Happy New Year Bama Tennis Fans,
The men's team completed a successful fall season, competing in seven tournaments from September to November. We welcomed two new players in transfers Carlos Gimenez Perez (Alicante, Spain) and Damien Nezar (Eden, South Africa), who transferred to Alabama from UAB and Campbell, respectively. They joined seniors Enzo Aguiard, Zach Foster and Filip Planinsek, juniors Roan Jones and Matias Ponce De Leon, and sophomore Andrii Zimnokh to round out our squad of eight. The fall also saw a return to Tuscaloosa for Ezequiel Gils (and his wife Hannah). He rejoined our staff following the departure of assistant coach Dimi Kutrovsky, who was named head coach at VCU last summer. "Eze" and Sebastian "Sebo" Vile are tremendously dedicated coaches, who together with me, will form what we jokingly refer to as the "3-Headed Monster".Â
We were a smaller group of just six players this fall as Enzo and Filip were not enrolled and spent the semester competing in professional tournaments (an allowable option per NCAA rules and their academic progress towards graduation). Enzo competed in several ITF Futures events in his home country of Australia, while Filip spent his time in Slovenia and other European countries playing in Futures and ATP Challengers. They both got a good taste of the pro life and achieved world rankings. This invaluable experience not only prepared them for the demands of the upcoming spring season, but will also help to get them ready for their return to the tour following graduation later this year.Â
Several notable things happened this fall, highlighted by Roan Jones' qualification to the NCAA Singles Championships. Yes, the NCAAs which Filip Planinsek captured back in May. A two-year pilot program began this fall where the individual championships (singles & doubles) were separated from the team championships and played out in late November (instead of the traditional end of May). Roan captured the ITA Sectional Championship title at Florida State, defeating several ranked players, and clinched a spot in the inaugural fall championship field. While he fell in a very tight three-set battle against the No. 4-ranked Carl Overbeck of Cal, 6-2, 4-6, 6-7, our junior from Shrewsbury, England, led the team in total wins during the fall term and made a strong statement that he's ready to challenge opponents near the top of the lineup this spring.Â
Recruiting always goes hand-in-hand with player development. The coaching staff worked very hard in this area to fill the shoes of our seniors that are set to graduate in May. Vit Kalina (Prague, Czech Republic), Matic Kriznik (Ljubljana, Slovenia) and Brendan Loh (Adelaide, Australia) signed with the Crimson Tide. The trio will make an immediate impact to the team. Vit will join us next August, while you'll see Matic and Brendan this January. The pair will redshirt and only train with the team, as well as learn the ins and outs of our program, school and our incredible tennis town. This onboarding process will give them a leg up on transitioning to college next fall.Â
Lastly, our player lounge received a much-needed facelift. New carpet, paint, furniture and graphics. I invite you to look at the number of featured players and teams on the lounge walls as they now recognize NCAA and SEC Champions, All-Americans, NCAA teams and players, All-SEC performers and All-Academic student-athletes. It truly is a "Legends Lounge" as the letters read in the room. Many thanks to our graphic designer Brent Hollingsworth, UA Printing and the UA Woodshop who produced and installed the items and the Crimson Racket Club for helping fund the project. It was necessary to highlight such great accomplishments made by many Alabama men's and women's tennis players over the years and the support of the CRC and others was instrumental.Â
Our schedule has been released. We have a challenging and exciting campaign ahead of us. Join us at home, or on the road, starting January 18. We look forward to seeing you in the stands, cheering us on and celebrating another season with you.Â
Roll Tide,
GeorgeÂ
Players Mentioned
