Peter Ayers (born 1973) is an American tennis coach and former player. He played college tennis for the Duke Blue Devils. He currently coaches Emma Navarro.
 Ayers in 2024 | |
| Country (sports) |  United States |
|---|---|
| Born | 1973 (age 50–51) |
| Height | 6 ft 2 in (188 cm)[1] |
| Plays | Left-handed |
| College | Duke (1993–1996) |
| Singles | |
| Highest ranking | No. 922 (July 7, 1997) |
| Doubles | |
| Highest ranking | No. 755 (May 5, 1997) |
| Coaching career | |
| Coaching achievements | |
| Coachee singles titles total | 1 |
Playing career
editAyers grew up in Charlotte, North Carolina, and began playing tennis at age eight.[1] He won gold at the U.S. Olympic Festival in 1991 and competed in the boys' singles and doubles events at the 1991 US Open.[2][3] He attended Myers Park High School in Charlotte, where he played high school basketball.[2]
Ayers played college tennis at Duke University from 1993 to 1996, winning Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) championships with the team all four years.[4] He went 103–54 in singles over his college career and was named All-ACC in 1993 and 1994.[4][5] He went 98–50 in doubles, including a 75–40 record partnering Rob Chess, and was named All-American in doubles in 1995.[4][5]
Ayers reached career-high Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP) rankings of No. 922 in singles and No. 755 in doubles, both achieved in 1997.[6]
Coaching career
editAyers has coached Emma Navarro since she was 14 or 15 years old, beginning as an instructor at the LTP Tennis Academy in Charleston, South Carolina, owned by Navarro's father Ben.[7] He continued working with her while she was in college at the University of Virginia, where she won the NCAA championship in singles in 2021.[8][9]
References
edit- ^ a b Creekmore, Allison (February 7, 1994). "Ayers brings talent, love of tennis to Blue Devils". Duke Chronicle. Retrieved March 13, 2024.
- ^ a b Bonnell, Rick (July 28, 1991). "Ayers climbs ladder his way". The Charlotte Observer. pp. 1D, 10D – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Peter Ayers Tennis Profile". International Tennis Federation. Retrieved March 13, 2024.
- ^ a b c "#TBT Duke All-America Selections". Duke Athletics. June 29, 2017. Retrieved March 13, 2024.
- ^ a b "Duke University – 2015 Men's Tennis Media Guide" (PDF). Duke Athletics. 2014–15. Retrieved March 13, 2024.
- ^ "Peter Ayers". Association of Tennis Professionals. Retrieved March 13, 2024.
- ^ Hartsell, Jeff (September 5, 2024). "Team Emma: The squad behind Navarro's US Open run". The Post and Courier. Retrieved September 6, 2024.
- ^ Mansfield, Frankie (August 14, 2019). "Emma Navarro's flip to Virginia a sign of tennis star's maturation". Moultrie News. Archived from the original on March 13, 2024.
- ^ Hartsell, Jeff (November 8, 2023). "Charleston's Emma Navarro rockets through first year on WTA Tour". The Post and Courier. Retrieved March 13, 2024.
