<!hr width=80% size=2 align=center>
Stanford University Tennis
The Benchmark of Success
Stanford University's tennis program is arguably the finest in the collegiate ranks. Coupled with unmatched team records in recent years, individual successes have also flourished under the tutelage of head coaches Dick Gould and Frank Brennan. Scores of former Stanford players abound in the professional ranks, with many currently ranked among the world's top 100 players.
Stanford Tennis History
Stanford University's tennis program has steadily developed into the premier program in the United States. Beginning with Phil Neer's national intercollegiate singles title in 1921, the next two decades saw Stanford amass 10 collegiate individual championships. In addition, Lin Murray, John Doeg and Ted Schroeder each captured the U.S. National Championships. On the women's side, Linda Yeomans and Carol Hanks captured the USTA collegiate doubles crown in 1962 for Stanford's first of 19 collegiate titles.
Since 1975, when Stanford's women's team joined an already successful men's program, no other school has claimed more NCAA team titles. Stanford has held a stranglehold on NCAA and national team trophies from 1973 to the present, capturing 14 men's and nine women's titles. Either of Stanford's tennis teams has won more collegiate titles by itself than all other men's and women's teams combined during that time period.
Men Thrive Under Dick Gould
Under head coach Dick Gould, Stanford's men netters have won NCAA team titles in 1973-74, '77-78, '80-81, '83, '86, '88-90, '92, '95 and '96 to dominate collegiate tennis in that time period. No other collegiate tennis coach has won as many NCAA team titles (14) as Dick Gould. A remarkable note is that any player who played for Stanford during any four year period since 1970 has at least one NCAA championship ring to his credit. Since the NCAA initiated its team championship playoff at Athens, GA, in 1977, Stanford has won 12 of the 20 tournaments held and finished second twice. In those 20 national championship tournaments, the Cardinal has racked up an almost unbelievable 61-6 (.910) dual match record - unrivaled by any other team.
Stanford ranks third on the NCAA all-time list with 14 crowns to its credit. Only UCLA and USC have won more titles (15). The Cardinal's 11 doubles championships since 1921 rank fourth on the all-time list, while their 11 singles titles places them third.
Men's Tennis Since 1972
- Fourteen NCAA titles
- Four NCAA runners-up
- Eight NCAA singles titles
- Four NCAA doubles titles
- 40 All-American selections
- Dual match record of 519-85 (.859)
- 36-27 record vs. USC; 35-30 record vs. UCLA
- Undefeated dual seasons in '78 (24-0) and '95 (27-0)
- Three NCAA Triple Winners (team, singles & doubles in same year) - Alex Mayer ('73), John Whitlinger ('74), - Alex O'Brien ('92)
Women Land 8 of 15 NCAA Crowns
The accomplishments of the Cardinal women netters are just as impressive. Only three years after the first athletic scholarship was awarded to a female player, the Stanford squad won its first national title-the AIAW championship in 1978. In 1982, the Stanford women claimed their first ever NCAA team title. In total, Cardinal women netters have captured nine national championships: 1978, '82, '84, and six straight from 1986-91. Highlights of the women's performance over the last 15 years include its unprecedented streak of six consecutive NCAA titles (1986-91) and three straight NCAA singles titlists.
During the past 15 seasons, the Stanford's women's team has had a remarkable dual-match record of 365-30 (.924). Since 1980, the Cardinal has produced eight team championships-more than any team during that period-as well as seven singles champions, four doubles champions, three singles runners-up, and three doubles runners-up. Stanford women netters have captured a remarkable six of the past 11 NCAA singles titles. The prestigious Broderick Award has been given to four Stanford netters: Linda Gates in 1985, Patty Fendick in 1987, Sandra Birch in 1989 and '91, and Debbie Graham in 1990.
Women's Tennis Since 1975
- Nine National Team Titles
- Three NCAA runners-up
- Nine National Singles Titles - three straight from '89-91
- Ten National Doubles Titles - four straight from '76-79
- Dual match record of 454-54 (.894)
- 76 straight dual wins from '88-90
- 34 different All-Americas, including seven in 1988; six in '84, and five in '89, '90 and '91
- Six undefeated dual seasons: '75 (11-0), '76 (9-0), '82 (20-0), '84 (26-0), '89 (29-0) and '90 (29-0)
Professional Success For Card Alums
The 1990's have been outstanding for ex-Stanford players in the pro ranks. Since 1993, six different Stanford men represented the United States in Davis Cup play - David Wheaton, Jim Grabb, Pat McEnroe, Jared Palmer, Jonathan Stark and Alex O'Brien.
Grand Slam Doubles Finalists include:
- David Wheaton - Runner up: U.S. Open (1990), Australian Open (1991)
- Scott Davis - Champion: Australian Open (1991)
- Patrick McEnroe - Runner-up: Australian Open (1991); Champion: French Open (1989)
- John McEnroe - Champion: Wimbledon (1992); Nine other Grand Slam Doubles titles and World No. 1 rankings in 1980, 1981, 1982, 1983 and 1984
- Jim Grabb - Champion: U.S. Open (1992); Runner up: Wimbledon and French Open (1989); World No. 1 ranking (1989, 1992 and 1993)
- Jonathan Stark - Champion: French Open (1994); Runner up: Australian Open (1994); World No. 1 ranking (1994)
- Jared Palmer - Champion: Australian Open (1995)
- Alex O'Brien - Runner up: U.S. Open (1995), Australian Open (1996 and 1997)
Six past and present Cardinal men achieved highest-ever world singles rankings in 1996: Alex O'Brien (#38), Jeff Tarango, (#42), Jeff Salzenstein (#201), Scott Humphries (#260), Paul Goldstein (#421) and Jim Thomas (#518). In addition, Ryan Wolters (#1027) and Mike Bryan (#1037) both have ATP rankings.
Some interesting statistics achieved in the Open Era (beginning 1968) are as follows:
- In 1982, eight former Stanford players reached at least the round of 32 at Wimbledon. Also, in 1982 10 former Stanford players were ranked among the world's top 100, four of whom were top 10.
- Six former Cards have reached at least the semifinals of Wimbledon, four of whom were in at least the quarterfinals in 1983.
- Nine former Stanford players have reached the world's top 15 in singles, ten have reached the world's top 10 in doubles.
On the women's tour, former Stanford star and two-time NCAA singles champ Patty Fendick was voted by the Women's Tennis Association (WTA) as its 1988 Rookie of the Year. Capping an impressive debut on the pro tour, Fendick was a member of both the U.S. Federation Cup and the U.S. Wightman Cup teams. In 1994, she teamed with ('90 NCAA doubles champ) Meredith McGrath to win the Australian Open Doubles title. McGrath, who had defeated Martina Navratilova at Eastbourne, England, won the coveted WTA Comeback Player of the Year Award in '94. WTA honors also came for Marianne Werdel-Witmeyer ('86 All-American), who received the WTA Service Award and was elected Vice President of the WTA in 1994 and was named president in 1995. Debbie Graham, '90 NCAA singles champ, was honored as 1992 WTA Rookie of the Year. Many former Stanford players have been ranked within the top 100 on the tour. Cardinal standouts in the pros have been Kathy Jordan (who at one time was ranked as high as #5), Kate Gompert (#18), Fendick (#19), Barbara Jordan (#37), Elise Burgin (#22), Marianne Werdel (#21), Lele Forood (#30), Meredith McGrath (#26), Tami Whitlinger (#41), Debbie Graham (#35), Alycia Moulton (#18) and Linda Gates (#58).
Other honors abound on the WTA pro tour. Alycia Moulton was on the U.S. Wightman Cup team in 1985, and Burgin was a member of the U.S. Federation Cup team. In 1986, Burgin was captain of the Wightman Cup team. 1985 also marked the appearance of ten former and current Stanford women in the main draw of the U.S. Open - a feat unmatched by any other collegiate tennis team. In 1986, seven former Stanford women appeared in the main draw of the U.S. Open.
Home of Championship Tennis
Over the years, Stanford has served as the pace-setter for collegiate tennis. The Taube Family Tennis Stadium has played host to a number of successful tournaments and charity events. These include the Macy's Pro-Celebrity Tennis Tournament to benefit the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation and the Stanford Tennis Challenge, featuring the world's top tennis players, as well as the 1991 and 1992 NCAA Women's Championships. Stanford teams have also played indoor matches as many as five times a season before crowds numbering over 7,000 people at Maples Pavilion. Additionally, this facility will be home to the 1997 NCAA Women's Tennis Championship and the WTA's Bank of the West Classic this summer.
One thing which has helped to make Stanford's program unique is the dedication and loyalty of former players towards ensuring the success of future generations of Stanford tennis. Former players have helped the Tennis Program through events such as "Courtside With the Stars" and the Stanford Tennis Stadium Dedication and Auction. Current and former players have also helped contribute to the tremendous growth and continued success of the Stanford Tennis Program. Numerous players are recognized with a personalized chair in Stanford's "Rows of Champions." Their continued support has helped keep Stanford Tennis among the finest programs in the nation.