| Clemson Tigers men's tennis | |
| Founded: | 1907 |
| University: | Clemson University |
| Conference: | Atlantic Coast Conference |
| Conference Short: | ACC |
| City: | Clemson |
| Stateabb: | SC |
| State: | South Carolina |
| Coach: | Brandon Wagner |
| Tenure: | 1st |
| Stadium: | Hoke Sloan Tennis Center |
| Capacity: | 1,000 |
| Ncaatourneys: | 1979, 1980, 1981, 1982, 1983, 1984, 1985, 1986, 1987, 1988, 1989, 1992, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2013 |
| Ncaaquarterfinals: | 1980, 1981, 1982, 1983, 1985, 1986, 2004 |
| Conference Tournament: | 1969, 1980, 1981, 1983, 1984, 1985, 1986, 1987, 1988, 1989, 1997 |
| Conference Season: | 1969, 1971, 1979, 1980, 1981, 1983, 1984, 1985, 1986, 1987, 1989, 1990 |
The Clemson Tigers men's tennis team represents Clemson University in NCAA Division I tennis competition. Tennis has been played at Clemson since the early 20th century, with the team gaining varsity status in 1907. The Tigers have participated in the NCAA Tournament 23 times since dual match play began in 1977, and has been ranked in the top 25 by the Intercollegiate Tennis Association 19 times. Members of the Atlantic Coast Conference, the Tigers play their home matches at the Hoke Sloan Tennis Center.
Tennis has been played at Clemson since the university's earliest days, but the Clemson Athletic Association first sponsored a team in the 1907 South Carolina state tournament. Brothers James and John Erwin were some of Clemson's earliest stars; James won the state singles tournament in 1912 and 1913 and the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Association singles championship in 1913, and the brothers won the SIAA doubles title in 1913. Allen Haskell and Julian Robertson won the 1917 and 1918 state tournaments in doubles.[1]
The Tigers began competing in dual matches in 1921. The team's first coach was P. B. Holtzendorff in 1927. After not fielding a team in 1928, Hoke Sloan coached the team in 1929, beginning a 30-year run.[2] Chemical engineering professor Duane Bruley, who had previously coached at Tennessee, took over as coach in 1963. Bruley led Clemson to their first ACC championship in 1969, posting a 16–0 record and 7–0 in conference play, and to a second conference regular season title in 1971.[3]
Chuck Kriese was hired as head coach in 1976. In Kriese's 33 seasons, the Tigers won 10 ACC tournament championships, 10 regular season titles, and reached the NCAA Tournament 22 times.[4] [2] Additionally, Lawson Duncan was runner-up in the 1984 NCAA Tournament in singles.[5]