Tigran Martirosyan

Tigran Martirosyan studied in University of Kentucky and was a member of university's tennis team.

Martirosyan originally from Yereven, Armenia, was studying at Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles, but because of the competitiveness of the Southeastern Conference and because UK (University of Kentucky) provided a good level of athletics, he later moved to UK.

"I wanted a successful career and to better my tennis skills," he said.

Martirosyan almost went to University of South California, but his coach from Loyola suggested UK because of its facilities, academics and coaches.

"Moving to Kentucky was a culture shock for me. There was an Armenian culture in Los Angeles, so I felt comfortable there," Martirosyan said.

He also mentioned that the move was nothing too big to overcome, and he was glad he came for the experience.

Over the years, UK tennis players have carried the school's reputation across the world. And diversity has become a major contribution to the men's and women's tennis teams' recent success. As for year 2005, there were five international players on the tennis team from all over the world.

UK men's tennis head coach Dennis Emery said past tennis players recommended the international players to him.

And he managed to persuade many to come to Lexington.

"They have filled some holes and made the team deeper," he said.

In the 2005 season , Martirosyan has teamed with doubles partner Jesse Witten, and the two have been ranked as high as No. 6 in the nation by the Intercollegiate Tennis Association. He and Witten knocked off three top-10 opponents in the same week earlier this season.

Sources

• By Jennifer Jones Kentucky Kernel, CollegeSports.com, April 29 2005