Tennis
- Title:
- Head Coach
- Email:
- lbjensen@syr.edu
- Phone:
- 3552
Luke Jensen served as the head women's tennis coach from August 2006 through January 2014.
Jensen at Syracuse
Stepping down three matches into his eighth season as head coach at Syracuse, Jensen owned a 106-57 overall record and ranked first all-time among SU head coaches with a .650 winning percentage.
With Jensen at the helm, the Orange posted its fifth consecutive winning record, and sixth in seven years. The 2013 squad finished 15-9 overall with a 7-1 record in the BIG EAST. SU earned victories in its last seven regular-season conference amtches and went 3-1 iat the BIG EAST Championship to claim fifth place at the event for the third straight year. His squad also received the distinction for the highest team grade point average for the second year in a row.
The 2013 season was another highly productive season as Jensen's club posted a 15-8 overall record and an impressive 7-1 mark in conference play. His team also earned the Cuse Award for the highest academic GPA at Syracuse in 2013. In 2012, he led the team to an overall record of 19-7. Jensen also helped junior Emily Harman become the 28th player in program history to enter the century club, along with senior Alessondra Parra.
Three seasons ago, Jensen directed his team to its most successful season in program history. The 2009-10 Orange squad compiled a 20-3 season, the first time the Syracuse tennis team has recorded a 20-win season. The team also advanced to the semifinal round of the BIG EAST Tournament for the second year in a row. Additionally, Jensen guided the team to undefeated records at home (9-0) and against conference opponents during the regular season (7-0).
Under Jensen’s guidance, the Orange has experienced success off the court, as well. Jensen has produced 28 BIG EAST All-Academic Team members and overseen 36 of his pupils to the Athletic Director’s Honor Roll. The Honor Roll is a list of Syracuse student-athletes who achieve a 3.0 or better grade point average in a semester. In 2009-10, every member of Jensen’s squad was named to each academic honor.
Jensen and the Community
Jensen also gave back to the Syracuse community. During the summer months, both Jensen and associate head coach Shelley George participated in "Orange Block," free clinics given in the Syracuse City School District. The "Orange Blocks" – part of the Orange tennis initiative – teach fundamentals, develop skills, and offer prizes to students in the community.
Jensen’s Playing Career
Jensen’s resume includes 10 ATP Tour doubles titles and singles victories against Andre Agassi, Pete Sampras, Ivan Lendl, John McEnroe, Bjorn Borg, Jimmy Connors, Boris Becker, Stefan Edberg and Jim Courier. Jensen and his brother, Murphy, won the 1993 French Open doubles title. He was also a member of the 1991 and 1992 Davis Cup Teams. His ambidextrous play, including his ability to serve the ball with either hand at 130 miles per hour, earned him the nickname “Dual Hand Luke.”
“We are looking for impact people – Arthur Ashe, Billie Jean King – to better this world through the game of tennis and to better the people around them,” Jensen said. “That is why I am here. We will be champions on and off the court. I want to make this world a better place. We will think like champions, practice like champions and play like champions. When student-athletes leave here they will be ready for life’s challenges because of their education here – in the classroom and in tennis. They will have life skills.”
Jensen’s Personal File
Born in Grayling, Mich., Jensen conducts more than 70 charity, seminar and tennis clinics around the world each year, in addition to his involvement with the Jensen-Schmidt Tennis Academy for Down Syndrome.
“Luke is world-renowned in the tennis community,” said Syracuse Director of Athletics Dr. Daryl Gross. “His network includes all the top players, all the past top players and announcers. What he has done for the tennis community is unmatched. To have Luke be part of our program shows the commitment we have made to be extraordinary and outstanding in all of our sports.”
A 1985 graduate of East Grand Rapids High School, Jensen reached the second round of the US Open just before enrolling at the University of Southern California, where he earned All-America honors in 1987 and 1988. Jensen won the 1983 Michigan High School State Singles Championship and earned high school All-America recognition. The following year, Jensen was the top-ranked junior singles and doubles player in the world, teaming with Patrick McEnroe in doubles.
