SKYHAWK TENNIS ALUM TOM WRIDE RANKED 18TH IN “40 AND OVER” WORLD RANKINGS
2/14/2019 10:29:00 AM | Tennis
MARTIN, Tenn. – After starring for the University of Tennessee at Martin from 1997-2001, Tom Wride is still finding much success in the competitive tennis world as he recently moved into the top-20 in the International Tennis Federation world rankings for males ages 40 and over.
Currently residing in his hometown of Birmingham, England, Wride has tallied 435 points to rank 18th on the list of world rankings. He has accomplished that despite playing in only three events this season, which is the fewest total of any player ranked in the top-20 in the world.
Wride won the British Nationals tournament last week and also captained England at the World Championships held in Miami, Fla. last October. Based off his recent success, he jumped 18 spots in the world rankings when the ITF announced its poll on Jan. 28.
"Tom is one of the most gifted players that I have coached over the years," Skyhawk head coach Dennis Taylor said. "He is a lefty with a wicked crosscourt forehand. But more importantly, Tom is a great person. He was one of the most popular and well-liked students on campus by both students and faculty."
Taylor's first-ever left-handed player at UT Martin, Wride was an All-Ohio Valley Conference honoree as a freshman in 1998 and once again won all-conference accolades as a senior in 2001. He registered 75 career victories while playing a majority of his matches in the No. 1 slot in both singles and doubles. A four-time OVC Commissioner's Honor Roll recipient, he was inducted into the UT Martin Athletics Hall of Fame in 2012.
After graduating from UT Martin, Wride earned his Master's degree from the University of Memphis in 2005. He worked in the city of Memphis for 17 years, including 11 at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital – where he was the lead clinical research associate.
The 40 year-old Wride now works at Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Birmingham, 23 years after he was ranked amongst the top 25 players in all of England as a high schooler. He touts UT Martin as an influential success in his life both on and off the tennis court.
"UT Martin gave me the opportunity to develop as a young tennis player and student," Wride said. "The positive support of my teammates and the welcoming UT Martin community have been instrumental in my career and tennis achievements."
To follow Wride's progress through the ITF world rankings, click here.
Currently residing in his hometown of Birmingham, England, Wride has tallied 435 points to rank 18th on the list of world rankings. He has accomplished that despite playing in only three events this season, which is the fewest total of any player ranked in the top-20 in the world.
Wride won the British Nationals tournament last week and also captained England at the World Championships held in Miami, Fla. last October. Based off his recent success, he jumped 18 spots in the world rankings when the ITF announced its poll on Jan. 28.
"Tom is one of the most gifted players that I have coached over the years," Skyhawk head coach Dennis Taylor said. "He is a lefty with a wicked crosscourt forehand. But more importantly, Tom is a great person. He was one of the most popular and well-liked students on campus by both students and faculty."
Taylor's first-ever left-handed player at UT Martin, Wride was an All-Ohio Valley Conference honoree as a freshman in 1998 and once again won all-conference accolades as a senior in 2001. He registered 75 career victories while playing a majority of his matches in the No. 1 slot in both singles and doubles. A four-time OVC Commissioner's Honor Roll recipient, he was inducted into the UT Martin Athletics Hall of Fame in 2012.
After graduating from UT Martin, Wride earned his Master's degree from the University of Memphis in 2005. He worked in the city of Memphis for 17 years, including 11 at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital – where he was the lead clinical research associate.
The 40 year-old Wride now works at Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Birmingham, 23 years after he was ranked amongst the top 25 players in all of England as a high schooler. He touts UT Martin as an influential success in his life both on and off the tennis court.
"UT Martin gave me the opportunity to develop as a young tennis player and student," Wride said. "The positive support of my teammates and the welcoming UT Martin community have been instrumental in my career and tennis achievements."
To follow Wride's progress through the ITF world rankings, click here.
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