University of Alabama - Birmingham Women's Tennis

Mark Tjia, a veteran tennis coach with 26 years of coaching experience at multiple levels, was named UAB's head women's tennis coach on Jan. 17, 2014.   Tjia has had great success in at UAB along with the team, receiving notable recognition in Conference USA and from the NCAA and the ITA. Before Tjias first season, the team had not won over a ranked opponent in seven years until they defeated No. 67 Northwestern State. Later that year, the Blazers defeated UTEP in the first round of the Conference USA Championship, which was the first time in nine years that they have won a match at the conference tournament.   In 2015, the Blazers returned the same squad, but avenged three losses from the previous year with wins over ULM, UTSA and Southern Miss.   Under Tjias leadership, Pardis Kianoush became the first Blazer to earn All-Conference USA First Team honors since 2001. During his fourth year at UAB, the team produced a Second Team All-Conference player in Marlene Herrmann, and last season Jana Hecking became the 2nd First Team All-Conference Player in singles under his tutelage, while Adela Wasserbauerova was first Blazer to be voted to the All-Freshman Team.   Throughout Tjias seasons as head coach, the team has also been widely recognized for their academic achievements and community service, winning the ITA Community Service Award for the Southern Region in 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021 and 2022.   UAB has also been named an ITA All-Academic Team ever season since 2015. The team has also consistently produced numerous ITA Scholar-Athletes since 2014.   Tjia joined the Blazers after spending three and a half seasons as the assistant men's tennis coach at his alma mater, TCU. He was actively involved in all areas of the program at TCU, including recruiting, budgeting and travel, individual and team instruction and marketing. He played an instrumental role in helping rebuild a Horned Frog men's program that was ranked No. 52 when he arrived in the Fall of 2010, but finished the 2015 season as the No. 4 team in the country along with a Final Four showing. Tjia was named the 2012-13 ITA Texas Region Assistant Coach of the Year.   Tjia joined TCU after serving as an assistant coach for the Florida women's tennis team that reached the final round at the NCAA Team Championship, won the SEC, and finished No. 2 in the nation. During his time in Gainesville, he also worked as the Head Tennis Professional at the 300 Swim & Tennis Club in Gainesville beginning in 1997.   After receiving his bachelor's degree in business administration from TCU in 1992, Tjia participated for several years on the ATP pro circuit. He achieved a high world ranking of No. 589 in singles in November 1994.   After his playing days, Tjia served as a coach on the WTA Tour where he coached, practiced, and traveled with WTA #60 Shaun Stafford during a time period where she recorded two  top 40 wins and made the quarterfinals of the Italian Open and the 3rd round at Wimbledon.    He has written and published the book ["Loving the Battle!" - Tips to Improve Your Tennis Performance](https://www.amazon.com/Loving-Battle-Second-Improve-Performance-ebook/dp/B00EJXAY32).