Originally from Cape Town, South Africa, senior Tim Dollman has found another hometown here on the Plains.
Dollman came to Auburn in the summer of 2018, transferring from UAB, where he posted a 17-2 singles record and 14-5 doubles mark in 2018 as a sophomore. The 2017 Conference USA freshman of the year and a first-team all-CUSA honoree as a freshman with a 10-5 singles record and an 8-6 mark in doubles, Dollman "really wanted to play for an SEC school so I transferred here. My previous coach Howard Herr played here back in 1983 and was always telling me what a great school it is."
"Tim came to us from UAB at a time when we needed players who would come out and work and then fight on the court and he was that kind of guy," Auburn coach Bobby Reynolds remembers. "What he's brought is absolute work ethic. He comes out, doesn't say a lot, but puts his head down and works hard and gets the most out of every single thing in his power. How I classify him is actions speak louder than words.
"Nobody wants to go backhand to backhand with him and ultimately, as a player, to have that strength when you walk on the court and know you're going to do it over and over and over again, that's why guys don't want to face him, because they know what they're in for.
"He's blue collar and that's a compliment about the way he plays. Every point is the same. People might say the technique isn't that great, but he's had success because he knows who he is as a player. His backhand is one of the best in the country, so matching up in the backhand has allowed him to be successful in singles."
That success on the court has put 52 wins on the scoreboard for Auburn during his career, 32 in singles and 20 in doubles, and earned him ITA national rankings.
In the fall of 2019, Dollman posted seven straight singles wins in the ITA Southern Regional to advance to the regional final, where he finished as runner-up to Gregor Ramskogler of Mississippi State (6-2, 4-6, 6-4), earning him a place in the National Indoors Championship field. At that same regional, he paired with Michael Durham to advance to the regional finals in doubles as well, falling to LSU's Thomas and Moreno 6-2, 7-5 in the championship match.
"Personally, I had a really good regionals here at Auburn," Dollman modestly recalls. "That was my best moment, making the finals in singles and doubles. That's one that stands out."
And his career at Auburn has brought Dollman success off the court as well. He earned his bachelor's degree in business administration and finance from Auburn's Harbert College of Business in August, 2020, graduating with honors as a member of the SEC academic honor roll. Now doing a master's in finance, Dollman would like to stay in the U.S. after graduation, and will continue to embody the Auburn spirit.
"It's definitely something I will take into my next career. I've learned a lot as a person here – definitely the Auburn spirit is being respectful and learning a lot – in my next career, I'll definitely know how to work with others, to listen to others and to be respectful of those above me and around me.
"Auburn has taught me a lot; from when I came in here three years ago to where I am now, I'm a completely different person, a lot more independent, especially from all the people I've met along the way. They've taught me a lot and I'm ready to take the next step."
Dollman has been a big part of the Tigers taking the next step on the court as well. "How much we've grown as a program is what I'm very proud of; from when I came in to where we are now, we've had better results but also in training and being together as a team. We're a lot closer. Being part of this team and all the different players who have been here – I've made friends for life for sure."
Entering his final home match at the Yarbrough Tennis Center Friday, Dollman will be looking to hear War Eagle from the fans, but not for a final time.
"That phrase means a lot; it always will," Dollman says of the quintessential Auburn greeting and salute. "Everywhere I go, I'm going to try and wear as much Auburn gear as I can to let everyone know that I went here and am very proud of it."
