MONTGOMERY, Ala. - Long before he became a fixture on the professional tennis circuit, Sadio Doumbia's journey in the United States began at Auburn University at Montgomery. At the time, AUM competed under the nickname "Senators," until officially changing to the Warhawks in August of 2011. A native of Toulouse, France, Doumbia arrived in Montgomery with the goal of competing at a high level, and he quickly established himself as one of the most dominant players in program history. During his two seasons with AUM men's tennis, Doumbia helped lead the Senators to national success.
Doumbia's AUM Career
Doumbia competed for Auburn University at Montgomery during the 2009 and 2010 seasons, where he emerged as one of the top players in the NAIA. As a freshman in 2009, he posted an 11–1 singles record, immediately making an impact for the Senators.
His success continued in 2010, when he finished the regular season ranked as high as No. 5 nationally and concluded the year at No. 6 in the NAIA rankings. That season, Doumbia was named the ITA South Region Player to Watch, earned NAIA All-America honors, and helped guide the Senators to the 2010 NAIA Men's Tennis National Championship with a 21–1 singles record.
During the 2010 campaign, Doumbia played a key role in AUM's national title run, as the Senators defeated Fresno Pacific in the 59th NAIA Men's Tennis National Championship to capture the program's ninth national championship. The victory marked the Senators' fourth national title in a five-year span, cementing their place as one of the NAIA's premier programs during that era.
Doumbia's impact at AUM was later recognized with his selection to the program's 2010s All-Decade Team, honoring his achievements and sustained excellence during his time in Montgomery. While wearing orange and black, he helped the Senators compile championship-level success and established himself as one of the most accomplished players in school history.
Doubia at the University of Georgia
Doumbia later continued his collegiate career at the University of Georgia, where he competed for the Bulldogs from 2011–2013. Across two seasons, he recorded 91 total collegiate wins, earned Second Team All-SEC honors in both years, and finished his senior season with a 33–16 record. He concluded the 2012–13 campaign ranked No. 36 nationally by the ITA, advanced to the Round of 32 in the NCAA Singles Tournament, and helped lead Georgia to the NCAA Quarterfinals.
2026 Australian Open Spotlight
Most recently, Doumbia competed at the Australian Open. He teamed up with fellow Frenchman Fabien Reboul for an impressive run in the men's doubles draw. Seeded No. 12 and entering the tournament ranked No. 30 in the world in doubles, the duo advanced through three rounds before reaching the quarterfinals.
Doumbia and Reboul opened play with a gritty three-set win (4-6, 7-5, 7-5) before cruising to a straight-sets victory in round two, 6-3, 6-4. Their third-round match proved to be one of the most thrilling of the tournament, as they survived a marathon battle, 7-6, 6-7, 6-1, to punch their ticket to the quarterfinals. The pair's run came to an end after a hard-fought quarterfinal matchup.
