Mohammad Alkotop: Representing family name

Growing up in Amman, Jordan, Mohammad Alkotop was constantly surrounded by soccer balls and cleats, yet it was always a tennis racket and ball that caught his eye.

“I started playing tennis around 5 years old because of my brother,” Alkotop said. “My dad used to own a shop at the Tennis Federation, and my brother and I began playing.”

Since he began playing, Alkotop has continued to improve his skills alongside his brother. This consistent practice and dedication opened the door for Alkotop to represent his home country of Jordan in various tennis events.

“We just went and put the energy and work in,” Alkotop said. “We saw a racket and a tennis ball, and we played. We played for the national team, and I was enjoying it. It was such a fun sport.”

Once he moved to the United States to further his academic and athletic careers, he was greeted with more opportunities to represent his homeland of Jordan in the Davis Cup.

“I played in the Davis Cup, which is like the World Cup of tennis — being one of the biggest stages to represent your country,” Alkotop said.

According to Alkotop, he had significant interest from various Division I programs but ultimately decided to sign with Utah State University and represent the Aggies on the tennis court. Although he is far from home and his family, Alkotop has grown to love Logan and has seen himself grow into a new man.

“It is all a great adventure,” Alkotop said. “I have become more independent because in Jordan, everything was there for me. When you’re hungry, you ask your mom to make you food, but here, you have to take care of yourself, which I like.”

Although he immensely misses the food, friends and family in Jordan, Alkotop said he is extremely grateful for all the opportunities he has been given at Utah State and in the United States.

“It is awesome to play Division I — traveling with the boys to matches. This is the most fun part about it, and you get to be in school, go to class and then go to practice right after,” Alkotop said. “It’s a lot easier than being in another place in the world.”

Alkotop arrived in Logan as a first-year student and immediately made an impact. In 2024, he won Mountain West Freshman of the Year, was a part of the All-Mountain West team for singles and was selected for the Mountain West tournament team for doubles.

Alkotop’s doubles partner was David Martirosian for the majority of his first year. Together, the duo experienced plenty of success.

“On the tennis court, he has a unique personality,” Martirosian said. “He’s very joyful on the court, but whenever he has to be serious, he is serious. It is good to see him when he comes down in the serious moments and locks in and hits the right shots at the right moments.”

Outside of tennis, Martirosian and Alkotop became good friends.

“As a friend, he’s a good person and very honest,” Martirosian said. “He likes to have fun off the court. He likes having good vibes, so I always enjoy hanging around with him.”

Poised for a huge sophomore season, Alkotop said he came into his second year ready to work. He boasts a 12-2 record in singles, and according to the ATP Tour, he is ranked the No. 966 best doubles player in the world.

This is just the beginning for Alkotop, who has big goals and aspirations for USU tennis.

“Of course, winning the Mountain West and going to nationals is the big goal for us,” Alkotop said. “Hopefully, this year we can achieve it, as last year we won the regular season, which was awesome.”

Although he’s currently focused on helping the USU team, he has aspirations for his tennis career post-graduation.

“My personal goal is to be one of the top players in the world and reach my potential,” Alkotop said. “I want to keep enjoying tennis, enjoying life and working hard wherever life takes me.”

A desire and hunger to be the best is nothing new to Alkotop, as he continually draws motivation from his family and hopes to make them proud.

“I want to change the family name. I want my family name to be on top of the world,” Alkotop said. “When people hear my name, I want them to know exactly who I am and my family. I also was not raised in a very rich family, and I want to change that whole aspect of my family and make it big for them.”

Alkotop and the Aggies will look to continue their season of success when they take on the New Mexico Lobos on April 17 at 11 a.m. in Logan.