TULSA, Okla. “”mdash; Tobias Clemens knew how he wanted to end
his UCLA career.
And this wasn’t exactly it.
But even though the Bruins failed in yet another bid to win an
NCAA Championship, the lone UCLA senior refuses to dwell on the
numerous disappointments he’s experienced throughout his
years in Westwood.
“I don’t even know what to feel right now,”
Clemens said. “Everything just falls down on me so sudden, so
I just go with the positive feelings. I had an unbelievable time at
UCLA.”
Unbelievable indeed.
Throughout his four years with the Bruins, Clemens has put
together quite a resume. He will leave Westwood as a three-time
All-American, the all-time UCLA wins leader, and one heck of a
student.
“He’s just done a great job for us,” coach
Billy Martin said. “They’re like my children, these
guys. I get to watch them grow up.”
And the growing up Clemens has done from his freshman year to
his senior year has been phenomenal. In UCLA’s match against
Illinois, Clemens defeated Brian Wilson, the No. 1 player in the
country. And then he had to come back the next day to face No.
2-ranked Benedikt Dorsch.
“I would have won my match,” Clemens said. “No
question.”
That’s just the kind of guy Clemens is. When the team has
needed him, he has been there, again and again and again.
But as it was Tuesday, Clemens didn’t get to finish his
match. And as it will be for his Bruin future, there won’t be
another one again.
As of Tuesday night, Clemens was pretty sure he was going to
withdraw from the singles portion of the NCAA Championships, even
though Martin would like to see him give it one more go.
“I just want to go home and do my studies and draw a line
under college tennis,” Clemens said. “I had a great
time.”
But he’s also had some disappointing times. As a freshman,
his team lost in the quarterfinals. During his sophomore and junior
seasons, UCLA lost heartbreaking semifinal matches.
And in this, his last season, the Bruins simply couldn’t
get over the hump. After four tough years, Clemens will never have
another chance to take home an NCAA title. That’s where
Baylor’s German players enter the equation.
“I just hope one of those guys brings that trophy to
Germany just once,” Clemens joked.
But kidding aside, Clemens is very appreciative of all that UCLA
has given him.
“I’m just thankful to all of those guys that I play
with and I used to play with,” Clemens said. “And
especially to Martin and assistant coach Jason Sher. They did great
things for me.
“People were so supportive, and I will always remember
that. It was the best time I had in my life.”
Clemens is eligible for the prestigious NCAA Postgraduate
Scholarship, and he said he hopes to return to UCLA for graduate
school when his tennis-playing days are over.
ALL-TOURNAMENT: Freshman Philipp Gruendler was
named to the All-Tournament team at the No. 6 singles position.
Gruendler won the deciding match against Illinois’ G.D. Jones
on Monday.