ESPN analyst and Luke Jensen, who won the 1993 French Open Doubles title, will lead the Orange tennis program.
Gross Appoints ESPN Analyst Luke Jensen Head Tennis Coach
8/29/2006 6:56:05 AM | Tennis
Director of Athletics Dr. Daryl Gross announced the hiring of Luke B. Jensen as the women’s tennis coach. A highly successful professional player, Jensen is currently a tennis analyst for ESPN in addition to directing the Jensen-Schmidt Tennis Academy with his brother, Murphy and local St. Louis pro Vince Schmidt. Jensen, who was the only player in professional tennis to play with either hand, was a member of the 1991 and 1992 United States Davis Cup teams.
“This is an unbelievable announcement for us to have someone with the experience and the knowledge of tennis like Luke Jensen,” Gross said. “To bring him to the Syracuse community is incredible. We are so excited about what he can do for not only Syracuse University, but for the Syracuse community, in terms of tennis. He truly believes he can help the United States improve our tennis credibility in the world and starting with a base of the Syracuse team.
“Luke is world renowned in the tennis community. His network includes all the top players, all the past top players and announcers. What he has done for the tennis community is unmatched. This is an incredible day for Syracuse athletics and the Syracuse community. To have Luke be part of our program shows the commitment we have made to be extraordinary and outstanding in all of our sports. This is one of the most incredible announcements in the history of college tennis.”
Jensen will be a guest tonight on Orange All Access Radio on ESPN 1260AM (click here to listen at 6:05 p.m.). Current Syracuse coach Mac Gifford, who has been part of the Orange program as an assistant coach and head coach for the past 13 years, will serve as the associate head coach and director of tennis operations.
Jensen’s resume includes 10 ATP Tour doubles titles and singles victories against Andre Agassi, whom he defeated in the 1986 Memphis ATP, 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. 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, Billy 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 who want to be part of something special. I want to make this world a better place. We will define winning in different ways. 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.”
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.
“When I need a tennis spokesperson for a company or brand, the first person I think of is Luke Jensen,” said Justin Edelman of Edelman Sports. “Having worked with him through the years, Luke never fails to show enthusiasm, deliver key messages and go above and beyond to publicize a product or event. I think he will be a perfect role model for the student-athletes as he teaches life lessons both on and off the court.”
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.
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