Steve Denton

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Steve Denton
Country (sports)Flag of the United States.svg United States
Residence College Station, Texas, U.S.
Born (1956-09-05) September 5, 1956 (age 68)
Kingsville, Texas, U.S.
Height1.87 m (6 ft 2 in)
Turned pro1978
Retired1987
PlaysRight-handed (one-handed backhand)
College University of Texas
Prize money $1,084,664
Singles
Career record108–116 (Grand Prix, WCT and Grand Slam level, and Davis Cup)
Career titles0
Highest rankingNo. 12 (April 18, 1983)
Grand Slam singles results
Australian Open F (1981, 1982)
French Open 1R (1982, 1984)
Wimbledon 4R (1982)
US Open 4R (1982)
Other tournaments
Tour Finals 1R (1982)
WCT Finals QF (1983)
Doubles
Career record325–198 (Grand Prix, WCT and Grand Slam level, and Davis Cup)
Career titles18
Highest rankingNo. 2 (August 15, 1983)
Grand Slam doubles results
Australian Open F (1983)
French Open QF (1984)
Wimbledon SF (1982, 1983)
US Open W (1982)
Other doubles tournaments
Tour Finals F (1982)

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.

Contents

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 both the 1981 and 1982 Australian Open, and won the 1982 US Open doubles championship with Kevin Curren, attaining career-high rankings of World No. 12 in singles and World No. 2 in doubles. He won a total of 18 tour level doubles titles and, despite reaching 6 finals, never won a singles title. In 1984, his 138 miles per hour (222 km/h) serve broke the world record, which would not be broken until 13 years later. After retiring from the pros, he moved to Corpus Christi, Texas, coaching several local junior tennis teams. In 2001, he debuted his college coaching career at Texas A&M University–Corpus Christi, where he led his teams to three conference championships and a first-ever NCAA tournament appearance. In 2006, he resigned to become the head coach at Texas A&M University.

For his accomplishments, he is a member of the ITA Hall of Fame, the Texas Tennis Hall of Fame, the Blue-Gray Tennis Class Hall of Fame, and the Longhorn Hall of Honor.

Playing career

High school and college

Denton attended Bishop High School in Bishop, Texas. As a prep, he won four consecutive UIL state 3A singles titles. He then attended the University of Texas at Austin, where he played tennis from 1976–79. He earned all-American honors in 1978. Along with teammate Kevin Curren, he won the U.S. Tennis Association amateur indoor and SWC doubles title in 1979. He completed his college career with an 85–22 singles record, which currently ranks third all-time in school history. He also compiled a 72–18 doubles record, and a 78–27 team record. For his collegiate and professional accomplishments, he was inducted into the Longhorn Hall of Honor in 2006. [1]

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 set a service record of 138 mph (222 km/h) that would stand for 13 years until it was broken in 1997 by Mark Philippoussis who recorded a 142 mph (229 km/h) delivery. The current record of 163 mph (262 km/h) is held by Sam Groth.

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 Flag of South Africa (1928-1982).svg Johan Kriek 6–2, 7–6, 6–7, 6–4
Loss 1982 Australian Open (2)Grass Flag of the United States.svg Johan Kriek6–3, 6–3, 6–2

Doubles (1 championship, 1 runner-up)

ResultYearChampionshipSurfacePartnerOpponentsScore
Win 1982 US Open Grass Flag of South Africa (1928-1982).svg Kevin Curren Flag of the United States.svg Victor Amaya
Flag of the United States.svg Hank Pfister
6–2, 6–7, 5–7, 6–2, 6–4
Loss 1983 Australian Open Grass Flag of the United States.svg Sherwood Stewart Flag of Australia (converted).svg Mark Edmondson
Flag of Australia (converted).svg Paul McNamee
6–3, 7–6

Mixed Doubles (3 runners-up)

ResultYearChampionshipSurfacePartnerOpponentsScore
Loss 1983 Wimbledon Grass Flag of the United States.svg Billie Jean King Flag of the United Kingdom.svg John Lloyd
Flag of Australia (converted).svg Wendy Turnbull
6–7, 7–6, 7–5
Loss 1983 US Open Grass Flag of the United States.svg JoAnne Russell Flag of the United States.svg Anne Smith
Flag of South Africa (1928-1982).svg Kevin Curren
6–4, 7–6
Loss 1984 Wimbledon (2)Grass Flag of the United States.svg Kathy Jordan Flag of the United Kingdom.svg John Lloyd
Flag of Australia (converted).svg Wendy Turnbull
6–3, 6–3

Grand Slam tournament performance timeline

Key
W F SFQF#RRRQ#DNQANH
(W) winner; (F) finalist; (SF) semifinalist; (QF) quarterfinalist; (#R) rounds 4, 3, 2, 1; (RR) round-robin stage; (Q#) qualification round; (DNQ) did not qualify; (A) absent; (NH) not held; (SR) strike rate (events won / competed); (W–L) win–loss record.

Singles

Tournament 1980 1981 1982 1983 1984 1985 1986 1987 1988 SR
Australian Open Q3 F F 3R 1R 2R NH 1R A0 / 6
French Open AA 1R A 1R AAAA0 / 2
Wimbledon Q2 1R 4R 1R 1R 2R Q2 Q2 Q2 0 / 5
US Open A 1R 4R 3R 2R 1R AAA0 / 5
Strike rate0 / 00 / 30 / 40 / 30 / 40 / 30 / 00 / 10 / 00 / 18

Career finals

Doubles (18 wins, 21 losses)

ResultNo.DateTournamentSurfacePartnerOpponentsScore
Loss1.1979 Hong Kong Carpet Flag of the United States.svg Mark Turpin Flag of the United States.svg Pat Du Pré
Flag of the United States.svg Robert Lutz
3–6, 4–6
Win1.1980 Denver, U.S.Carpet Flag of South Africa (1928-1982).svg Kevin Curren Flag of Poland.svg Wojtek Fibak
Flag of Switzerland (Pantone).svg Heinz Günthardt
7–5, 6–2
Loss2.1980 Washington-2, U.S.Carpet Flag of South Africa (1928-1982).svg Kevin Curren Flag of the United States.svg Ferdi Taygan
Flag of the United States.svg Brian Teacher
6–4, 3–6, 6–7
Loss3.1980 North Conway, U.S.Clay Flag of South Africa (1928-1982).svg Kevin Curren Flag of the United States.svg Jimmy Connors
Flag of the United States.svg Brian Gottfried
6–7, 2–6
Win2.1980 Indianapolis, U.S.Clay Flag of South Africa (1928-1982).svg Kevin Curren Flag of Poland.svg Wojtek Fibak
Flag of the Czech Republic.svg Ivan Lendl
3–6, 7–6, 6–4
Win3.1980 Barcelona, SpainClay Flag of the Czech Republic.svg Ivan Lendl Flag of the Czech Republic.svg Pavel Složil
Flag of Hungary.svg Balázs Taróczy
6–2, 6–7, 6–3
Win4.1980 Basel, SwitzerlandHard (i) Flag of South Africa (1928-1982).svg Kevin Curren Flag of South Africa (1928-1982).svg Bob Hewitt
Flag of South Africa (1928-1982).svg Frew McMillan
6–7, 6–4, 6–4
Loss4.1980 Bologna, ItalyCarpet Flag of Australia (converted).svg Paul McNamee Flag of Hungary.svg Balázs Taróczy
Flag of the United States.svg Butch Walts
6–2, 3–6, 0–6
Win5.1981 Monterrey WCT, MexicoCarpet Flag of South Africa (1928-1982).svg Kevin Curren Flag of South Africa (1928-1982).svg Johan Kriek
Flag of New Zealand.svg Russell Simpson
7–6, 6–3
Loss5.1981 Brussels, BelgiumCarpet Flag of South Africa (1928-1982).svg Kevin Curren Flag of the United States.svg Sandy Mayer
Flag of South Africa (1928-1982).svg Frew McMillan
6–4, 3–6, 3–6
Loss6.1981 London/Queen's Club, EnglandGrass Flag of South Africa (1928-1982).svg Kevin Curren Flag of the United States.svg Pat Du Pré
Flag of the United States.svg Brian Teacher
6–3, 6–7, 9–11
Win6.1981 Indianapolis, U.S.Clay Flag of South Africa (1928-1982).svg Kevin Curren Flag of Mexico.svg Raúl Ramírez
Flag of the United States.svg Van Winitsky
6–3, 5–7, 7–5
Win7.1981 Vienna, AustriaHard (i) Flag of the United States.svg Tim Wilkison Flag of the United States.svg Sammy Giammalva Jr.
Flag of the United States.svg Fred McNair
4–6, 6–3, 6–4
Win8.1981 Stockholm, SwedenHard (i) Flag of South Africa (1928-1982).svg Kevin Curren Flag of the United States.svg Sherwood Stewart
Flag of the United States.svg Ferdi Taygan
6–7, 6–4, 6–0
Loss7.1982 Masters Doubles WCT, LondonCarpet Flag of South Africa (1928-1982).svg Kevin Curren Flag of Switzerland (Pantone).svg Heinz Günthardt
Flag of Hungary.svg Balázs Taróczy
7–6, 3–6, 5–7, 4–6
Win9.1982 Denver, U.S.Carpet Flag of South Africa (1928-1982).svg Kevin Curren Flag of Australia (converted).svg Phil Dent
Flag of Australia (converted).svg Kim Warwick
6–4, 6–4
Win10.1982 Memphis, U.S.Carpet Flag of South Africa (1928-1982).svg Kevin Curren Flag of the United States.svg Peter Fleming
Flag of the United States.svg John McEnroe
7–6, 4–6, 6–2
Loss8.1982 Munich-2 WCT, GermanyCarpet Flag of South Africa (1928-1982).svg Kevin Curren Flag of Australia (converted).svg Mark Edmondson
Flag of the Czech Republic.svg Tomáš Šmíd
6–4, 5–7, 2–6
Win11.1982 Frankfurt, Germany Carpet Flag of Australia (converted).svg Mark Edmondson Flag of the United States.svg Tony Giammalva
Flag of the United States.svg Tim Mayotte
6–7, 6–3, 6–3
Win12.1982 Houston, U.S.Clay Flag of South Africa (1928-1982).svg Kevin Curren Flag of Australia (converted).svg Mark Edmondson
Flag of Australia (converted).svg Peter McNamara
7–5, 6–4
Win13.1982 Toronto, CanadaHard Flag of South Africa (1928-1982).svg Kevin Curren Flag of the United States.svg Peter Fleming
Flag of the United States.svg John McEnroe
6–7, 7–5, 6–2
Loss9.1982 Cincinnati, U.S.Hard Flag of Australia (converted).svg Mark Edmondson Flag of the United States.svg Peter Fleming
Flag of the United States.svg John McEnroe
2–6, 3–6
Win14.1982 US Open, New YorkHard Flag of South Africa (1928-1982).svg Kevin Curren Flag of the United States.svg Victor Amaya
Flag of the United States.svg Hank Pfister
6–2, 6–7, 5–7, 6–2, 6–4
Loss10.1982 Sydney Indoor, AustraliaHard (i) Flag of Australia (converted).svg Mark Edmondson Flag of the United States.svg John McEnroe
Flag of the United States.svg Peter Rennert
3–6, 6–7
Win15.1983 Philadelphia, U.S.Carpet Flag of South Africa (1928-1982).svg Kevin Curren Flag of the United States.svg Peter Fleming
Flag of the United States.svg John McEnroe
6–4, 7–6
Win16.1983 Munich WCT, GermanyCarpet Flag of South Africa (1928-1982).svg Kevin Curren Flag of Switzerland (Pantone).svg Heinz Günthardt
Flag of Hungary.svg Balázs Taróczy
7–5, 2–6, 6–1
Win17.1983 Houston WCT, U.S.Clay Flag of South Africa (1928-1982).svg Kevin Curren Flag of the United States.svg Mark Dickson
Flag of the Czech Republic.svg Tomáš Šmíd
7–6, 6–7, 6–1
Win18.1983 Las Vegas, U.S.Hard Flag of South Africa (1928-1982).svg Kevin Curren Flag of the United States.svg Tracy Delatte
Flag of the United States.svg Johan Kriek
6–3, 7–5
Loss11.1983 Forest Hills WCT, U.S.Clay Flag of South Africa (1928-1982).svg Kevin Curren Flag of the United States.svg Tracy Delatte
Flag of the United States.svg Johan Kriek
7–6, 5–7, 3–6
Loss12.1983 London/Queen's Club, EnglandGrass Flag of South Africa (1928-1982).svg Kevin Curren Flag of the United States.svg Brian Gottfried
Flag of Australia (converted).svg Paul McNamee
4–6, 3–6
Loss13.1983 Dallas, U.S.Hard Flag of the United States.svg Sherwood Stewart Flag of Nigeria.svg Nduka Odizor
Flag of the United States.svg Van Winitsky
3–6, 5–7
Loss14.1983 Tokyo Indoor, JapanCarpet Flag of Australia (converted).svg John Fitzgerald Flag of Australia (converted).svg Mark Edmondson
Flag of the United States.svg Sherwood Stewart
1–6, 4–6
Loss15.1983 Wembley, EnglandCarpet Flag of the United States.svg Sherwood Stewart Flag of the United States.svg Peter Fleming
Flag of the United States.svg John McEnroe
3–6, 4–6
Loss16.1983 Australian Open, Melbourne Grass Flag of the United States.svg Sherwood Stewart Flag of Australia (converted).svg Mark Edmondson
Flag of Australia (converted).svg Paul McNamee
3–6, 6–7
Loss17.1984 Richmond WCT, U.S.Carpet Flag of South Africa (1928-1982).svg Kevin Curren Flag of the United States.svg John McEnroe
Flag of the United States.svg Patrick McEnroe
6–7, 2–6
Loss18.1984 Brussels, BelgiumCarpet Flag of South Africa (1928-1982).svg Kevin Curren Flag of the United States.svg Tim Gullikson
Flag of the United States.svg Tom Gullikson
4–6, 7–6, 6–7
Loss19.1984 Milan, ItalyCarpet Flag of South Africa (1928-1982).svg Kevin Curren Flag of the Czech Republic.svg Pavel Složil
Flag of the Czech Republic.svg Tomáš Šmíd
4–6, 3–6
Loss20.1985 Memphis, U.S.Carpet Flag of South Africa (1928-1982).svg Kevin Curren Flag of the Czech Republic.svg Pavel Složil
Flag of the Czech Republic.svg Tomáš Šmíd
6–1, 3–6, 4–6
Loss21.1985 Atlanta, U.S.Carpet Flag of the Czech Republic.svg Tomáš Šmíd Flag of the United States.svg Paul Annacone
Flag of South Africa (1928-1982).svg Christo van Rensburg
4–6, 3–6
Loss22.1987 Cincinnati, U.S.Hard Flag of Australia (converted).svg John Fitzgerald Flag of the United States.svg Ken Flach
Flag of the United States.svg Robert Seguso
5–7, 3–6
Loss23.1988 Tokyo Outdoor, JapanHard Flag of the United States.svg David Pate Flag of Australia (converted).svg John Fitzgerald
Flag of the United States.svg Johan Kriek
4–6, 7–6, 4–6

Singles: 6 (6 losses)

ResultNo.DateTournamentSurfaceOpponentScore
Loss1.1981 Australian Open, Melbourne Grass Flag of South Africa (1928-1982).svg Johan Kriek 2–6, 6–7, 7–6, 4–6
Loss2.1982 Metz, FranceHard (i) Flag of the United States.svg Erick Iskersky 4–6, 3–6
Loss3.1982 Cincinnati, U.S.Hard Flag of the Czech Republic.svg Ivan Lendl 2–6, 6–7
Loss4.1982 Australian Open, Melbourne Grass Flag of the United States.svg Johan Kriek 3–6, 3–6, 2–6
Loss5.1983 Richmond WCT, U.S.Carpet Flag of Argentina.svg Guillermo Vilas 3–6, 5–7, 4–6
Loss6.1984 Richmond WCT, U.S.Carpet Flag of the United States.svg John McEnroe 3–6, 6–7

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. [2]

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. [3]

Coaching record

Statistics overview
SeasonTeamOverallConferenceStandingPostseason
Texas A&M–Corpus Christi Islanders (Southland Conference)(2001–2006)
2001–2002Texas A&M–Corpus Christi 8–12
2002–2003Texas A&M–Corpus Christi 13–9
2003–2004Texas A&M–Corpus Christi 14–71st
2004–2005Texas A&M–Corpus Christi 19–86–01stNCAA Second Round
2005–2006Texas A&M–Corpus Christi 10–125–11st
Texas A&M–Corpus Christi:64–48
Texas A&M Aggies (Big 12 Conference)(2006–present)
2006–2007Texas A&M 15–121–57thNCAA Second Round
2007–2008Texas A&M 13–122–45thNCAA Second Round
2008–2009Texas A&M 17–95–12ndNCAA Sweet Sixteen
2009–2010Texas A&M 25–75–12ndNCAA Sweet Sixteen
2010–2011Texas A&M 29–65–12ndNCAA Sweet Sixteen
Texas A&M:99–4618–12
Total:163–94

      National champion        Postseason invitational champion  
      Conference regular season champion        Conference regular season and conference tournament champion
      Division regular season champion      Division regular season and conference tournament champion
      Conference tournament champion

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References

  1. "Steve Denton". Texas Longhorns Athletics. Archived from the original on May 14, 2008. Retrieved March 22, 2008.
  2. "A&M's Denton Selected to 2008 ITA Hall of Fame Class". Big 12 Sports. Archived from the original on May 11, 2008. Retrieved March 21, 2008.
  3. "Denton, Pollock and Krajicek Earn Big 12 Conference Honors". AggieAthletics.com. Retrieved May 7, 2009.[ permanent dead link ]