Middle Tennessee State University Athletics
True Blue Testimonials - Senior Men's Tennis - Karim Al-Amin
3/31/2026 9:00:00 AM | General, Men's Tennis, BRAA
MURFREESBORO, Tenn. — Growing up in Germany, Karim Al-Amin's childhood was anything but one-dimensional. He immersed himself in a wide range of sports. Including taekwondo, soccer, swimming, and even gymnastics alongside his mother. Each discipline added something to his athletic foundation, but none captured his heart quite like tennis. That passion didn't emerge in isolation. It was nurtured early on by his father, whose own love for the sport became a guiding force in Karim's life.
As a young boy, Karim would spend hours at his father's tennis club, often hitting balls against a wall for what felt like endless stretches of time. It wasn't glamorous, but it was formative. Those quiet, repetitive moments built not only his technique but also the discipline that would define his approach to the game. His father's work ethic became his own, and his family's unwavering support turned a childhood interest into a lifelong pursuit.
Like many young athletes, Al-Amin also drew inspiration from the professionals he watched on television. Roger Federer, in particular, stood out. It wasn't just Federer's success that captivated him, but it was the energy, the poise, and the intensity he brought to every match. For Karim, Federer represented what tennis could be at its highest level, and that vision stayed with him as he developed his own identity on the court.
But at 16 years old, that trajectory was suddenly threatened. Doctors discovered a benign tumor in his tibia, shockingly, the size of a tennis ball. The diagnosis required surgery and forced him into a grueling 10-month recovery process. For a young athlete whose life revolved around movement and competition, the physical and emotional toll was immense.
During that time, tennis was no longer about improvement or winning - it was about hope. And it was his family who carried him through. Leaning on their support, Al-Amin found the strength to endure the uncertainty and push toward a return. He's candid about the fact that without them, the outcome might have been very different.
When he finally stepped back onto the court, something had changed. The game he once chased with ambition now met him with a deeper sense of gratitude. Free from pain and discomfort, he experienced a renewed joy. One that many athletes spend their entire careers trying to find.
That perspective ultimately guided his decision to join Middle Tennessee State University. Under head coach Jimmy Borendame, Al-Amin saw an opportunity that extended beyond tennis. He was drawn to a program that emphasized character as much as competition. It was a place where becoming a better person mattered just as much as becoming a better player.
At MTSU, he has found exactly that. The structure, support, and intentional care provided to student-athletes aligned perfectly with what he had been searching for. Whether it's the pride he feels competing on courts named after program donors or the sense of belonging fostered through community engagement, Al-Amin has fully embraced the culture around him.
He credits Coach Borendame not just for developing strong teams, but for building meaningful connections. Through free clinics and community events, the program extends beyond campus, allowing players like Karim to form relationships throughout Murfreesboro. For him, those interactions have made the experience richer. It has transformed it from a college career into a shared community journey.
One moment, however, stands above the rest.
He still vividly recalls the instant he clinched match point to secure the program's sixth consecutive Conference USA championship. As the final point ended, he collapsed to the ground, overwhelmed by emotion. His teammates rushed in, surrounding him in celebration. It wasn't just a victory, but a culmination of everything he had endured, everything he had worked for, and everyone who had supported him along the way.
Now, as a senior, Al-Amin carries that experience with him. It's not just as a memory, but as a message.
"No matter where you are, what you think, or what you feel right now… you have to keep going," he says. "Not only for yourself or your coaching staff, but for everybody at MTSU."
To help support athletes like Tyler, please consider giving to the Champions Annual Fund. This fund is designed to help our student-athletes by providing educational and athletic opportunities for student-athletes from scholarships and academic support to housing and nutrition.
As a young boy, Karim would spend hours at his father's tennis club, often hitting balls against a wall for what felt like endless stretches of time. It wasn't glamorous, but it was formative. Those quiet, repetitive moments built not only his technique but also the discipline that would define his approach to the game. His father's work ethic became his own, and his family's unwavering support turned a childhood interest into a lifelong pursuit.
Like many young athletes, Al-Amin also drew inspiration from the professionals he watched on television. Roger Federer, in particular, stood out. It wasn't just Federer's success that captivated him, but it was the energy, the poise, and the intensity he brought to every match. For Karim, Federer represented what tennis could be at its highest level, and that vision stayed with him as he developed his own identity on the court.
But at 16 years old, that trajectory was suddenly threatened. Doctors discovered a benign tumor in his tibia, shockingly, the size of a tennis ball. The diagnosis required surgery and forced him into a grueling 10-month recovery process. For a young athlete whose life revolved around movement and competition, the physical and emotional toll was immense.
During that time, tennis was no longer about improvement or winning - it was about hope. And it was his family who carried him through. Leaning on their support, Al-Amin found the strength to endure the uncertainty and push toward a return. He's candid about the fact that without them, the outcome might have been very different.
When he finally stepped back onto the court, something had changed. The game he once chased with ambition now met him with a deeper sense of gratitude. Free from pain and discomfort, he experienced a renewed joy. One that many athletes spend their entire careers trying to find.
That perspective ultimately guided his decision to join Middle Tennessee State University. Under head coach Jimmy Borendame, Al-Amin saw an opportunity that extended beyond tennis. He was drawn to a program that emphasized character as much as competition. It was a place where becoming a better person mattered just as much as becoming a better player.
At MTSU, he has found exactly that. The structure, support, and intentional care provided to student-athletes aligned perfectly with what he had been searching for. Whether it's the pride he feels competing on courts named after program donors or the sense of belonging fostered through community engagement, Al-Amin has fully embraced the culture around him.
He credits Coach Borendame not just for developing strong teams, but for building meaningful connections. Through free clinics and community events, the program extends beyond campus, allowing players like Karim to form relationships throughout Murfreesboro. For him, those interactions have made the experience richer. It has transformed it from a college career into a shared community journey.
One moment, however, stands above the rest.
He still vividly recalls the instant he clinched match point to secure the program's sixth consecutive Conference USA championship. As the final point ended, he collapsed to the ground, overwhelmed by emotion. His teammates rushed in, surrounding him in celebration. It wasn't just a victory, but a culmination of everything he had endured, everything he had worked for, and everyone who had supported him along the way.
Now, as a senior, Al-Amin carries that experience with him. It's not just as a memory, but as a message.
"No matter where you are, what you think, or what you feel right now… you have to keep going," he says. "Not only for yourself or your coaching staff, but for everybody at MTSU."
To help support athletes like Tyler, please consider giving to the Champions Annual Fund. This fund is designed to help our student-athletes by providing educational and athletic opportunities for student-athletes from scholarships and academic support to housing and nutrition.
Players Mentioned
/ Men's Tennis
True Blue Testimonials - Senior Men's Tennis - Karim Al-Amin
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