ITA Rookie of the Year
Fangran Tian from the UCLA has been named the 2023 ITA Rookie of the Year.
This spring Tian has had an outstanding freshman campaign, caped off with a NCAA Singles Championship this May in Lake Nona.
Posting a 30-7 overall record this season, Tian went 16-2 from the No. 1 singles position in dual-matches for the Bruins. She was a perfect 9-0 in Pac-12 play and finished 17-6 against ranked opponents this season. Both her singles and doubles win totals were team highs.
Tian was voted the Pac-12 Freshman of the Year and was named First Team All-Pac-12 for her play this season.
She entered the 2023 NCAA Singles Championship as a 9-16 seed, earning her ITA All-American status. Winning six matches en route to the Championship, Tian didn't drop a single set over the entire tournament. She is just the second Bruin to win the NCAA Singles Championship joining Keri Phebus who won in 1995.
A Letter From Head Coach Stella Sampras Webster
Tian,
What an honor it has been to coach you this past year. All of us at UCLA women’s tennis – myself, Coach Rance and Coach Errol, along with all your teammates – are so proud of what you have been able to accomplish. From leaving China to come to Los Angeles and settle in the way you did has been remarkable. Your outgoing, fun and sunny personality has been a pleasure to have on the team, in the locker room, on the road when we traveled to tournaments and on court. You have been so willing to listen to the coaches and work with us, which is an absolute joy. I know your teammates feel the same way.
Looking back at your season, to go undefeated in dual-match play during the regular season is extremely hard to do, but you accomplished that feat in your freshman year! Then, to rebound after your matches during NCAA play and come to Orlando with a clear vision, plan and strategy of playing one match at a time, all the while enjoying the whole process and new experience with a great attitude and competitive spirit – I truly believe those traits along with your tennis talent helped you win this year’s NCAA singles title. All of us are so excited for you that you have now been named the ITA National Rookie of the Year and can’t wait for September when we are back on campus and you can begin your sophomore season. You exemplify what it means to be a BRUIN and your passion for the school, other UCLA teams, your own team and embracing the UCLA experience is exactly why we recruited you and we are so happy you said YES!
Congratulations again, Tian, from all of us at UCLA women’s tennis! GO BRUINS!