Steve Denton

Steve Denton (born September 5, 1956) is a former professional tennis player. He is currently the head men's tennis coach at Texas A&M University.

After becoming an all-American at the University of Texas in 1978, Denton spent nine seasons playing for the ATP Tour. He reached the final of the 1981 Australian Open, losing in four sets to Johan Kriek and lost to the same opponent in the 1982 Australian Open final, this time in straight sets.

Professional Denton was ranked as high as world No. 12 on the ATP rankings in singles and No. 2 in doubles, both in 1983. Denton was known for his big serve and employed an unusual service motion which involved taking two steps forward prior to striking the ball. Current ATP rules prohibit such a motion (or any service motion involving a running or walking start). In 1984, Denton served a serve.

He reached six singles finals, most notably the Australian Open (in 1981 and 1982) and the Cincinnati Masters (in 1982). He also won 18 doubles titles (including the US Open and the Canada Masters) in 1982, and reaching 23 additional doubles finals.

Grand Slam finals

Singles (2 runners-up) ResultYearChampionshipSurfaceOpponentScore Loss 1981 Australian Open Grass Johan Kriek 6–2, 7–6, 6–7, 6–4 Loss 1982 Australian Open (2) Grass Johan Kriek 6–3, 6–3, 6–2

Doubles (1 championship, 1 runner-up) ResultYearChampionshipSurfacePartnerOpponentsScore Win 1982 US Open Grass Kevin Curren Victor Amaya Hank Pfister 6–2, 6–7, 5–7, 6–2, 6–4 Loss 1983 Australian Open Grass Sherwood Stewart Mark Edmondson Paul McNamee 6–3, 7–6

Mixed doubles (3 runners-up) ResultYearChampionshipSurfacePartnerOpponentsScore Loss 1983 Wimbledon Grass Billie Jean King John Lloyd Wendy Turnbull 6–7, 7–6, 7–5 Loss 1983 US Open Grass JoAnne Russell Anne Smith Kevin Curren 6–4, 7–6 Loss 1984 Wimbledon (2) Grass Kathy Jordan John Lloyd Wendy Turnbull 6–3, 6–3

Grand Slam tournament performance timeline

Singles

Career finals

Doubles (18 wins, 23 losses)

Singles: 6 (6 losses)

Coaching career Denton made his first head coaching debut at Texas A&M–Corpus Christi in 2001. In his five seasons there, he led the Islanders to three Southland Conference regular-season championships, two tournament championships, and the team's first-ever NCAA Tournament appearance. He was named Southland Conference Coach of the Year twice, in 2004 and 2005. He finished with a 64–48 overall record.

On August 8, 2006, Denton became the head men's tennis coach at Texas A&M University. After struggling for two years in Big 12 Conference play, Denton led the Aggies to a 5-1 conference record and 2nd-place finish in his third year, earning Big 12 Coach of the Year honors.

Coaching record