Photo by: Crimson Tide Photos / UA Athletics
Matic Kriznik Earns ITA Regional Award Recognition
6/9/2026 6:33:00 PM | Men's Tennis
The sophomore was named Southern Regional ITA Player to Watch
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – Alabama men's tennis Matic Kriznik was named Southern Regional ITA Player to Watch, the Intercollegiate Tennis Association announced Tuesday. The Slovenia native is the first UA player to earn the award since 2018 and fourth overall in program history.
Kriznik, a NCAA singles qualifier, finished the 2025-26 season leading the Crimson Tide with 21 singles wins and held the third most doubles wins with 19. The sophomore defeated a total of six opponents in both singles and doubles play.
Matic Kriznik Notes
- Named Southern Regional ITA Player to Watch
- NCAA Singles Qualifier
- Led Alabama in singles wins with 21
- Ranks third on the team in doubles wins with 19
- Holds a national ranking of No. 92 in singles
- Reached the ITA South Sectional Championships semifinals (tournament concluded in semifinals after qualifiers were announced), securing a berth to the NCAA Championships
- Concluded the fall with a team-leading 9-4 record
- Clinched the team's win over Arkansas and Tennessee State as his win against the Razorbacks was a three-set come-from-behind victory to secure the overall team win for the Tide
- Reached the Round of 32 in doubles at the ITA All-American Championships
- Advanced to the third-place match at the ITA Fall Regional Championships in singles
- Defeated ranked singles players No. 59 Henry Jefferson (Florida), No. 81 Santiago Giamichelle (Georgia), No. 105 Paul Barbier Gazeu (South Carolina), No. 109 Stefano D'Agostino (Ole Miss)
- Captured ranked doubles wins over No. 30 Arda Azkara/William Jansen (Georgia), No. 51 Hamza El Amine/Walid Ahouda (Louisville)
Players Mentioned
/ Men's Tennis
Saturday, May 25
Friday, May 24
Thursday, May 23
Wednesday, May 22
