The Alabama men’s tennis team is coming off of a D’Novo/ITA All-American Main Draw two weekends ago that saw senior Ricky Doverspike win in the consolation singles draw as well as compete in doubles.

Doverspike, a healthcare management major, said he wants to get a degree in sports management. After he graduates, Doverspike said he wouldn’t count out playing tennis in his future.

“We’ll see how tennis goes,” he said. “I see myself possibly going on tour for doubles.”

Doverspike credits his mom for being the one who got him interested in tennis.

“She was the first to put a racket in my hand,” he said. “I was only 4 years old.”

His mom played tennis at the University of Georgia before playing on tour in the 1970s.

Doverspike visited Penn State, Tennessee and Georgia Tech before finally deciding on Alabama.

“I liked the campus and facilities,” he said. “They had the best facilities and I wanted to stay in the South and play in the Southeastern Conference.”

Since joining the Crimson Tide, Doverspike has had a successful career. He finished his junior year ranked No. 65 nationally for doubles with his partner Jarryd Botha. He was also named to the SEC Academic Honor Roll. He finished his sophomore year with a team-high 23 singles wins and tied for second on the team for 21 doubles wins.

When looking back at his career he believes his biggest highlight would be a tie between his clinching match at Mississippi State and qualifying for indoor nationals his sophomore year. During the indoor Nationals, the Tide defeated Arizona and Duke.

Doverspike and Botha dropped their final match at the 2011 ITA All-American Championships last Friday. Doverspike said the loss was a result of switching up returning sides.

Doverspike is now shifting his focus to his upcoming competition during the Southern Regional Championships. This meet will take place from Nov. 20 through the 24 in Auburn, Ala.

“With practice time, we will have better results,” he said. “We just need to get comfortable with the switched sides.”