Luke Jensen Explained

Luke Jensen
Residence:Atlanta, Georgia
Birth Date:1966 6, mf=yes
Birth Place:Grayling, Michigan
Turnedpro:1987
Plays:Ambidextrous (one-handed backhand)
Careerprizemoney:$1,313,255
Singlesrecord:12–43
Singlestitles:0
Highestsinglesranking:No. 168 (July 25, 1988)
Australianopenresult:1R (1995)
Usopenresult:2R (1985, 1986)
Doublesrecord:252–297
Doublestitles:10
Highestdoublesranking:No. 6 (November 1, 1993)
Australianopendoublesresult:3R (1992)
Frenchopendoublesresult:W (1993)
Wimbledondoublesresult:3R (1992)
Usopendoublesresult:QF (1989)
Australianopenmixedresult:F (1996)
Frenchopenmixedresult:F (1996)
Wimbledonmixedresult:QF (1992, 1996)
Usopenmixedresult:SF (1995, 1997)
Medaltemplates-Expand:yes

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.

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

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

Juniors

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

Pro tour

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

10 titles

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

14 runner-ups

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

External links

Notes and References

  1. News: Bailey. Stephen. Jensen resigns as head coach midway through 8th season. The Daily Orange. January 29, 2014.
  2. https://www.usatoday.com/sports/college/other/2006-08-29-syracuse-jensen-tennis_x.htm "Luke Jensen named Syracuse tennis coach"
  3. http://www.newengland.usta.com/News-and-Events-Pages/14191_Luke_Jensen_Biography/ Biography of Luke Jensen on newengland.usta.com