The Crimson Racket Club held a championship ceremony for Alabama tennis player Filip Planinsek on Friday, honoring his 2024 NCAA singles championship win.
Planinsek made history with his championship, as he recorded the first NCAA title in Crimson Tide tennis history, men’s or women’s.
“I’ve worked my whole life for this,” Planinsek said of his singles win. “I dreamed of winning titles and that was certainly one I always dreamed of.”
It wasn’t an easy road for then-No. 29 Planinsek, as five out of the six players he matched up with in the tournament were ranked higher than him, including No. 5-ranked Micah Braswell from Texas in the round of 16.
The championship and ring ceremony occurred at the Roberta Alison Baumgardner Tennis Facility, and teammates, coaches, fans and loved ones gathered to support Planinsek.
“It’s just rewarding to see a player like him have this moment,” head coach George Husack said before the ceremony. “He’s been great every step of the way and we’re lucky to have him.”
Athletic Director Greg Byrne, Tuscaloosa Mayor Walt Maddox, Crimson Racket Club president Bob Singleton and PA announcer Alan Cunningham all spoke during the ceremony.
“The difference [Planinsek] made at Alabama coming all the way from Slovenia is remarkable,” Maddox said. “The entire city is proud of him.”
Planinsek’s career at Alabama has been filled with accolades in addition to his record-setting championship win, as he was SEC Freshman of the Year in 2022, second-team All-SEC in 2022 and 2023, and All-American and first-team All-SEC in 2024.
“Filip’s done what nobody else in the history of our program has been able to do,” Byrne said.
During the event, teammate Zach Foster expressed his gratitude to Planinsek, stating how much he has meant to the team over the past three seasons.
“He’s been a great teammate and even better friend over the years,” Foster said. “We wouldn’t be where we are without him.”
After presenting Planinsek and the coaching staff with the 2024 rings, Husack revealed that Planinsek was committed to the University of Minnesota for a few months but the school dropped its tennis team, which led Planinsek to commit to Alabama a few months later.
After being introduced by Cunningham at the ceremony, Planinsek took the opportunity to thank Husack for recruiting him to Tuscaloosa.
“[Husack] took a chance on me three years ago,” Planinsek said. “I’ll never forget that day when I committed to Alabama.”
Planinsek will look to continue his success into his senior season as he aims to achieve even higher goals.
“I know there’s a long way to go, but I have full faith in myself,” Planinsek said after the event. “I’m not stopping here.”
