Luke Jensen (born June 18, 1966) is an American former professional tennis player and Grand Slam doubles champion. Jensen won the 1993 French Open Doubles title with his younger brother Murphy Jensen.

Luke Jensen
Jensen in 2009
Country (sports) United States
ResidenceAtlanta, Georgia
Born (1966-06-18) June 18, 1966 (age 58)
Grayling, Michigan
Height6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)
Turned pro1987
PlaysAmbidextrous (one-handed backhand)
Prize money$1,313,255
Singles
Career record12–43
Career titles0
Highest rankingNo. 168 (July 25, 1988)
Grand Slam singles results
Australian Open1R (1995)
US Open2R (1985, 1986)
Doubles
Career record252–297
Career titles10
Highest rankingNo. 6 (November 1, 1993)
Grand Slam doubles results
Australian Open3R (1992)
French OpenW (1993)
Wimbledon3R (1992)
US OpenQF (1989)
Grand Slam mixed doubles results
Australian OpenF (1996)
French OpenF (1996)
WimbledonQF (1992, 1996)
US OpenSF (1995, 1997)
Medal record
Representing  United States
Tennis
Pan American Games
Gold medal – first place 1987 Indianapolis Men's doubles
Bronze medal – third place 1987 Indianapolis Men's singles

He attended the University of Southern California from 1986–87 and earned singles All-American honors both years (doubles in 1987). He began working for ESPN as a tennis analyst in 1994. Jensen compiled a 106-57 record in seven and a half seasons as the head coach of the Syracuse Orange women's tennis team.[1] Jensen worked with his brother as the touring pro, tennis director and tennis pro emeritus at the Sea Island Resort until 2016.

Tennis career

edit

Jensen attended East Grand Rapids High School, winning the Michigan state singles championship in 1983, and graduating in 1985.[2]

Juniors

edit

As a junior Jensen reached the No. 1 junior world ranking in both singles and doubles in 1984.

Pro tour

edit

Jensen turned professional in 1987. Jensen gained the nickname of "Dual Hand Luke" because he was an ambidextrous player able to serve at 130 mph with either hand.[3] He now does on-court analysis for ESPN for their tennis coverage. He also travels the world as an instructor, motivational speaker, and ambassador for the game.

He reached his career-high doubles ranking of world No. 6 in November 1993. In that year, he won the men's doubles title at the French Open playing with his younger brother, Murphy Jensen. Jensen's career-high singles ranking was world No. 168, achieved in July 1988.

Career doubles finals

edit

10 titles

edit
Legend
Grand Slam (1)
ATP Masters Series (1)
ATP Championship Series (1)
ATP Tour (7)
Titles by surface
Hard (5)
Clay (4)
Grass (1)
Carpet (0)
No. Date Tournament Surface Partner Opponents Score
1. February 1, 1988 Guarujá, Brazil Hard   Ricardo Acuña   Javier Frana
  Diego Pérez
6–1, 6–4
2. November 20, 1989 Johannesburg, South Africa Hard (i)   Richey Reneberg   Kelly Jones
  Joey Rive
6–0, 6–4
3. April 8, 1991 Orlando, U.S. Hard   Scott Melville   Nicolás Pereira
  Pete Sampras
6–7, 7–6, 6–3
4. April 29, 1991 Monte Carlo, Monaco Clay   Laurie Warder   Paul Haarhuis
  Mark Koevermans
5–7, 7–6, 6–4
5. May 27, 1991 Bologna, Italy Clay   Laurie Warder   Luiz Mattar
  Jaime Oncins
6–4, 7–6
6. May 25, 1992 Bologna, Italy Clay   Laurie Warder   Javier Frana
  Javier Sánchez
6–2, 6–3
7. June 7, 1993 French Open, Paris Clay   Murphy Jensen   Marc-Kevin Goellner
  David Prinosil
6–4, 6–7, 6–4
8. June 26, 1995 Nottingham, England Grass   Murphy Jensen   Patrick Galbraith
  Danie Visser
6–3, 5–7, 6–4
9. August 26, 1996 Long Island, U.S. Hard   Murphy Jensen   Hendrik Dreekmann
  Alexander Volkov
6–3, 7–6
10. July 21, 1997 Washington, D.C., U.S. Hard   Murphy Jensen   Neville Godwin
  Fernon Wibier
6–4, 6–4

14 runner-ups

edit
No. Date Tournament Surface Partner Opponents Score
1. May 20, 1991 Rome, Italy Clay   Laurie Warder   Omar Camporese
  Goran Ivanišević
2–6, 3–6
2. October 7, 1991 Sydney Indoor, Australia Hard (i)   Laurie Warder   Jim Grabb
  Richey Reneberg
4–6, 4–6
3. April 6, 1992 Estoril, Portugal Clay   Laurie Warder   Hendrik Jan Davids
  Libor Pimek
6–3, 3–6, 5–7
4. January 18, 1993 Sydney Outdoor, Australia Hard   Murphy Jensen   Sandon Stolle
  Jason Stoltenberg
3–6, 4–6
5. March 1, 1993 Scottsdale, U.S. Hard   Sandon Stolle   Mark Keil
  Dave Randall
5–7, 4–6
6. March 8, 1993 Indian Wells, U.S. Hard   Scott Melville   Guy Forget
  Henri Leconte
4–6, 5–7
7. May 3, 1993 Madrid, Spain Clay   Scott Melville   Tomás Carbonell
  Carlos Costa
6–7, 2–6
8. May 24, 1993 Bologna, Italy Clay   Murphy Jensen   Danie Visser
  Laurie Warder
6–4, 4–6, 4–6
9. October 18, 1993 Tokyo Indoor, Japan Carpet (i)   Murphy Jensen   Grant Connell
  Patrick Galbraith
3–6, 4–6
10. February 28, 1994 Mexico City, Mexico Clay   Murphy Jensen   Francisco Montana
  Bryan Shelton
3–6, 4–6
11. September 19, 1994 Bogotá, Colombia Clay   Murphy Jensen   Mark Knowles
  Daniel Nestor
4–6, 6–7
12. April 24, 1995 Nice, France Clay   David Wheaton   Cyril Suk
  Daniel Vacek
6–3, 6–7, 6–7
13. May 12, 1997 Coral Springs, U.S. Clay   Murphy Jensen   Dave Randall
  Greg Van Emburgh
7–6, 2–6, 6–7
14. May 26, 1997 St. Poelten, Austria Clay   Murphy Jensen   Kelly Jones
  Scott Melville
2–6, 6–7

References

edit
  1. ^ Bailey, Stephen (January 29, 2014). "Jensen resigns as head coach midway through 8th season". The Daily Orange.
  2. ^ "Luke Jensen named Syracuse tennis coach", USA Today, August 29, 2006. Accessed December 26, 2007. "A 1985 graduate of East Grand Rapids High School in Michigan, 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."
  3. ^ Biography of Luke Jensen on newengland.usta.com
edit