Entering Monday’s NCAA Men’s Singles Championship in Athens, Georgia, UNC freshman phenom William Blumberg had bested University of Virginia senior Thai-Son Kwiatkowski in singles twice in team competition — first in the ACC Tournament semifinals and again in the NCAA Championship. Kwiatkowski would not be denied in the 2017 NCAA Men’s Singles Championship, however, taking home the national title with a 6-4, 7-6 victory over Blumberg.
Yesterday’s achievement caps an outstanding career for Kwiatkowski, who reached the NCAA Singles Championship semifinals in 2014/2015 and the quarterfinals in 2015/2016. He becomes Virginia’s third NCAA Men’s Singles champion, joining two-time winner Somdev Devvarman (2007, 2008) and Ryan Shane (2015). In his final year at Virginia, Kwiatkowski helped the Cavaliers to an Indoor Team Championship as well as ACC and NCAA Outdoor Championships. UVA has won three straight NCAA team titles.
CHAMPION. @UVAMensTennis Thai-Son Kwiatkowski ends his career with a @NCAAtennis singles championship and US Open wildcard!
: Highlights pic.twitter.com/cSaQ2aizMX
— ITA Tennis (@ITA_Tennis) May 29, 2017
Kwiatkowski compiled a 136-24 overall record in singles and a 95-21 record in doubles during his Cavalier career. Accolades include ITA Singles All-American his sophomore and junior seasons as well as Third-Team All-ACC as a freshman, Second-Team All-ACC as a sophomore and junior, and First-Team All-ACC this year. He was named the NCAA Championship Most Outstanding Player in 2015/2016.
Former Hoos Devvarman and Jarmere Jenkins took to Twitter to congratulate Kwiatkowski. As did former pro Patrick McEnroe.
Congrats @thaikwiatkowski
Well done!
— Somdev Devvarman (@SomdevD) May 29, 2017
Way to stamp it @thaikwiatkowski !
— Jarmere Jenkins (@JarmereJenkins) May 29, 2017
Huge. Congrats @thaikwiatkowski on an amazing college career. https://t.co/UGGL4QlfJz
— Patrick McEnroe (@PatrickMcEnroe) May 29, 2017