Alabama and Filip Planinsek wrote history! The Crimson Tide student-tennis player won what is the first ever title (both men’s and women’s) in program history for Alabama. Planinsek won the exciting challenge after a sensational comeback, beating Michael Zheng of Columbia University.
🏆🏆NCAA Champion🏆🏆
Filip Planinsek storms back to take the NCAA Singles Crown‼️#RollTide pic.twitter.com/vabeYVRl21
— Alabama Men’s Tennis (@AlabamaMTN) May 25, 2024
Planinsek, full of joy at the end of the match, analyzed the moment of glory that he managed to give to himself and to Alabama.
“I felt like I could win the next two sets. I was confident in that, and I broke down pretty early in the second set and then the momentum started to build. I started to build my game. I started to be more aggressive. I mean , all this thanks to the coaches, the staff, just amazing, I mean, I can’t thank them enough, my family, I’m just thrilled,” he told.
History Made 🔥#RollTide #BuiltByBama pic.twitter.com/dlaeJAW0IB
— Alabama Men’s Tennis (@AlabamaMTN) May 28, 2024
Head coach George Husack, reviewing Planinsek’s win, exploded with joy, saying: “I’m so incredibly proud and happy for Filip. What a week and one he took ownership of the moment we got back from Duke. He created his plan for the coaches and support staff to follow and continued to move forward. Filip became a better competitor during this month because of the way he pushed himself in training, how he performed under pressure, how he took advantage of opportunities, how he remained calm in both difficult and frustrating times and, finally, how he never stopped carrying himself. He played for himself, for his family and for the University of Alabama. We are so proud about him and this historic first for our program. There is no mountain high enough and Filip will continue to climb.”
Period. @AlabamaMTN 🏆🎾🐘 pic.twitter.com/nZBf08jgQ8
— George Husack (@UACoachHusack) May 27, 2024