Steve Denton

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Steve Denton
Country (sports)File:Flag of the United States.svg United States
ResidenceCollege Station, Texas, U.S.
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Kingsville, Texas, U.S.
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Turned pro1978
Retired1987
PlaysRight-handed (one-handed backhand)
CollegeUniversity of Texas
Prize money$1,084,664
Singles
Career record108–116 (48.2%)
Career titles0
Highest rankingNo. 12 (April 18, 1983)
Grand Slam singles results
Australian OpenF (1981, 1982)
French Open1R (1982, 1984)
Wimbledon4R (1982)
US Open4R (1982)
Other tournaments
Tour Finals1R (1982)
WCT FinalsQF (1983)
Doubles
Career record325–198 (62.1%)
Career titles18
Highest rankingNo. 2 (August 15, 1983)
Grand Slam doubles results
Australian OpenF (1983)
French OpenQF (1984)
WimbledonSF (1982, 1983)
US OpenW (1982)
Other doubles tournaments
Tour FinalsF (1982)

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Steve Denton (born September 5, 1956) is a former professional tennis player. He is currently the head men's tennis coach at Texas A&M University.

After becoming an all-American at the University of Texas in 1978, Denton spent nine seasons playing for the ATP Tour. He reached the final of the 1981 Australian Open, losing in four sets to Johan Kriek[1] and lost to the same opponent in the 1982 Australian Open final, this time in straight sets.[1] He won the 1982 US Open doubles championship with Kevin Curren, attaining career-high rankings of World No. 12 in singles and World No. 2 in doubles. He won a total of 18 tour level doubles titles and, despite reaching 6 finals, never won a singles title. In 1984, he served a 138 miles per hour (222 km/h) serve. After retiring from the pros, he moved to Corpus Christi, Texas, coaching several local junior tennis teams. In 2001, he debuted his college coaching career at Texas A&M University–Corpus Christi, where he led his teams to three conference championships and a first-ever NCAA tournament appearance. In 2006, he resigned to become the head coach at Texas A&M University.

For his accomplishments, he is a member of the ITA Hall of Fame, the Texas Tennis Hall of Fame, the Blue-Gray Tennis Class Hall of Fame, and the Longhorn Hall of Honor.

Playing career

High school and college

Denton attended Bishop High School in Bishop, Texas. As a prep, he won four consecutive UIL state 3A singles titles. He then attended the University of Texas at Austin, where he played tennis from 1976 to 1979. He earned all-American honors in 1978. Along with teammate Kevin Curren, he won the U.S. Tennis Association amateur indoor and SWC doubles title in 1979. He completed his college career with an 85–22 singles record, which currently ranks third all-time in school history. He also compiled a 72–18 doubles record, and a 78–27 team record. For his collegiate and professional accomplishments, he was inducted into the Longhorn Hall of Honor in 2006.[2]

Professional

Denton was ranked as high as world No. 12 on the ATP rankings in singles and No. 2 in doubles, both in 1983. Denton was known for his big serve and employed an unusual service motion which involved taking two steps forward prior to striking the ball. Current ATP rules prohibit such a motion (or any service motion involving a running or walking start). In 1984, Denton served a 138 mph (222 km/h) serve.

He reached six singles finals, most notably the Australian Open (in 1981 and 1982) and the Cincinnati Masters (in 1982). He also won 18 doubles titles (including the US Open and the Canada Masters) in 1982, and reaching 23 additional doubles finals.

Grand Slam finals

Singles (2 runners-up)

Result Year Championship Surface Opponent Score
Loss 1981 Australian Open Grass Template:Flagicon Johan Kriek 6–2, 7–6, 6–7, 6–4
Loss 1982 Australian Open (2) Grass Template:Flagicon Johan Kriek 6–3, 6–3, 6–2

Doubles (1 championship, 1 runner-up)

Result Year Championship Surface Partner Opponents Score
Win 1982 US Open Grass Template:Flagicon Kevin Curren Template:Flagicon Victor Amaya
Template:Flagicon Hank Pfister		 6–2, 6–7, 5–7, 6–2, 6–4
Loss 1983 Australian Open Grass Template:Flagicon Sherwood Stewart Template:Flagicon Mark Edmondson
Template:Flagicon Paul McNamee		 6–3, 7–6

Mixed doubles (3 runners-up)

Result Year Championship Surface Partner Opponents Score
Loss 1983 Wimbledon Grass Template:Flagicon Billie Jean King Template:Flagicon John Lloyd
Template:Flagicon Wendy Turnbull		 6–7, 7–6, 7–5
Loss 1983 US Open Grass Template:Flagicon JoAnne Russell Template:Flagicon Anne Smith
Template:Flagicon Kevin Curren		 6–4, 7–6
Loss 1984 Wimbledon (2) Grass Template:Flagicon Kathy Jordan Template:Flagicon John Lloyd
Template:Flagicon Wendy Turnbull		 6–3, 6–3

Grand Slam tournament performance timeline

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Key
W  F  SF QF #R RR Q# DNQ A NH

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(W) winner; (F) finalist; (SF) semifinalist; (QF) quarterfinalist; (#R) rounds 4, 3, 2, 1; (RR) round-robin stage; (Q#) qualification round; (DNQ) did not qualify; (A) absent; (NH) not held; (SR) strike rate (events won / competed); (W–L) win–loss record.

Singles

Tournament 1980 1981 1982 1983 1984 1985 1986 1987 1988 Page Template:Tooltip/styles.css has no content.Template:Encodefirst
Australian Open Q3 F F 3R 1R 2R NH 1R A 0 / 6
French Open A A 1R A 1R A A A A 0 / 2
Wimbledon Q2 1R 4R 1R 1R 2R Q2 Q2 Q2 0 / 5
US Open A 1R 4R 3R 2R 1R A A A 0 / 5
Strike rate 0 / 0 0 / 3 0 / 4 0 / 3 0 / 4 0 / 3 0 / 0 0 / 1 0 / 0 0 / 18

Career finals

Doubles (18 wins, 23 losses)

Result W/L Date Tournament Surface Partner Opponents Score
Loss 0–1 Nov 1979 Hong Kong Carpet Template:Flagicon Mark Turpin Template:Flagicon Pat Du Pré
Template:Flagicon Robert Lutz 		3–6, 4–6
Win 1–1 Feb 1980 Denver, U.S. Carpet Template:Flagicon Kevin Curren Template:Flagicon Wojciech Fibak
Template:Flagicon Heinz Günthardt 		7–5, 6–2
Loss 1–2 Mar 1980 Washington-2, U.S. Carpet Template:Flagicon Kevin Curren Template:Flagicon Ferdi Taygan
Template:Flagicon Brian Teacher 		6–4, 3–6, 6–7
Loss 1–3 Aug 1980 North Conway, U.S. Clay Template:Flagicon Kevin Curren Template:Flagicon Jimmy Connors
Template:Flagicon Brian Gottfried 		6–7, 2–6
Win 2–3 Aug 1980 Indianapolis, U.S. Clay Template:Flagicon Kevin Curren Template:Flagicon Wojciech Fibak
Template:Flagicon Ivan Lendl 		3–6, 7–6, 6–4
Win 3–3 Oct 1980 Barcelona, Spain Clay Template:Flagicon Ivan Lendl Template:Flagicon Pavel Složil
Template:Flagicon Balázs Taróczy 		6–2, 6–7, 6–3
Win 4–3 Oct 1980 Basel, Switzerland Hard (i) Template:Flagicon Kevin Curren Template:Flagicon Bob Hewitt
Template:Flagicon Frew McMillan 		6–7, 6–4, 6–4
Loss 4–4 Nov 1980 Bologna, Italy Carpet Template:Flagicon Paul McNamee Template:Flagicon Balázs Taróczy
Template:Flagicon Butch Walts 		6–2, 3–6, 0–6
Win 5–4 Jan 1981 Monterrey WCT, Mexico Carpet Template:Flagicon Kevin Curren Template:Flagicon Johan Kriek
Template:Flagicon Russell Simpson 		7–6, 6–3
Loss 5–5 Mar 1981 Brussels, Belgium Carpet Template:Flagicon Kevin Curren Template:Flagicon Sandy Mayer
Template:Flagicon Frew McMillan 		6–4, 3–6, 3–6
Loss 5–6 Jun 1981 London/Queen's Club, UK Grass Template:Flagicon Kevin Curren Template:Flagicon Pat Du Pré
Template:Flagicon Brian Teacher 		6–3, 6–7, 9–11
Win 6–6 Aug 1981 Indianapolis, U.S. Clay Template:Flagicon Kevin Curren Template:Flagicon Raúl Ramírez
Template:Flagicon Van Winitsky 		6–3, 5–7, 7–5
Win 7–6 Oct 1981 Vienna, Austria Hard (i) Template:Flagicon Tim Wilkison Template:Flagicon Sammy Giammalva Jr.
Template:Flagicon Fred McNair 		4–6, 6–3, 6–4
Win 8–6 Nov 1981 Stockholm, Sweden Hard (i) Template:Flagicon Kevin Curren Template:Flagicon Sherwood Stewart
Template:Flagicon Ferdi Taygan 		6–7, 6–4, 6–0
Loss 8–7 Jan 1982 Masters Doubles WCT, London Carpet Template:Flagicon Kevin Curren Template:Flagicon Heinz Günthardt
Template:Flagicon Balázs Taróczy 		7–6, 3–6, 5–7, 4–6
Win 9–7 Feb 1982 Denver, U.S. Carpet Template:Flagicon Kevin Curren Template:Flagicon Phil Dent
Template:Flagicon Kim Warwick 		6–4, 6–4
Win 10–7 Feb 1982 Memphis, U.S. Carpet Template:Flagicon Kevin Curren Template:Flagicon Peter Fleming
Template:Flagicon John McEnroe 		7–6, 4–6, 6–2
Loss 10–8 Mar 1982 Munich-2 WCT, Germany Carpet Template:Flagicon Kevin Curren Template:Flagicon Mark Edmondson
Template:Flagicon Tomáš Šmíd 		6–4, 5–7, 2–6
Win 11–8 Apr 1982 Frankfurt, Germany Carpet Template:Flagicon Mark Edmondson Template:Flagicon Tony Giammalva
Template:Flagicon Tim Mayotte 		6–7, 6–3, 6–3
Win 12–8 Apr 1982 Houston WCT, U.S. Clay Template:Flagicon Kevin Curren Template:Flagicon Mark Edmondson
Template:Flagicon Peter McNamara 		7–5, 6–4
Win 13–8 Aug 1982 Toronto, Canada Hard Template:Flagicon Kevin Curren Template:Flagicon Peter Fleming
Template:Flagicon John McEnroe 		6–7, 7–5, 6–2
Loss 13–9 Aug 1982 Cincinnati, U.S. Hard Template:Flagicon Mark Edmondson Template:Flagicon Peter Fleming
Template:Flagicon John McEnroe 		2–6, 3–6
Win 14–9 Sep 1982 US Open, New York Hard Template:Flagicon Kevin Curren Template:Flagicon Victor Amaya
Template:Flagicon Hank Pfister 		6–2, 6–7, 5–7, 6–2, 6–4
Loss 14–10 Oct 1982 Sydney Indoor, Australia Hard (i) Template:Flagicon Mark Edmondson Template:Flagicon John McEnroe
Template:Flagicon Peter Rennert 		3–6, 6–7
Win 15–10 Feb 1983 Philadelphia, U.S. Carpet Template:Flagicon Kevin Curren Template:Flagicon Peter Fleming
Template:Flagicon John McEnroe 		6–4, 7–6
Win 16–10 Mar 1983 Munich WCT, Germany Carpet Template:Flagicon Kevin Curren Template:Flagicon Heinz Günthardt
Template:Flagicon Balázs Taróczy 		7–5, 2–6, 6–1
Win 17–10 Apr 1983 Houston WCT, U.S. Clay Template:Flagicon Kevin Curren Template:Flagicon Mark Dickson
Template:Flagicon Tomáš Šmíd 		7–6, 6–7, 6–1
Win 18–10 Apr 1983 Las Vegas, U.S. Hard Template:Flagicon Kevin Curren Template:Flagicon Tracy Delatte
Template:Flagicon Johan Kriek 		6–3, 7–5
Loss 18–11 May 1983 Forest Hills WCT, U.S. Clay Template:Flagicon Kevin Curren Template:Flagicon Tracy Delatte
Template:Flagicon Johan Kriek 		7–6, 5–7, 3–6
Loss 18–12 Jun 1983 London/Queen's Club, UK Grass Template:Flagicon Kevin Curren Template:Flagicon Brian Gottfried
Template:Flagicon Paul McNamee 		4–6, 3–6
Loss 18–13 Sep 1983 Dallas, U.S. Hard Template:Flagicon Sherwood Stewart Template:Flagicon Nduka Odizor
Template:Flagicon Van Winitsky 		3–6, 5–7
Loss 18–14 Oct 1983 Tokyo Indoor, Japan Carpet Template:Flagicon John Fitzgerald Template:Flagicon Mark Edmondson
Template:Flagicon Sherwood Stewart 		1–6, 4–6
Loss 18–15 Nov 1983 Wembley, UK Carpet Template:Flagicon Sherwood Stewart Template:Flagicon Peter Fleming
Template:Flagicon John McEnroe 		3–6, 4–6
Loss 18–16 Dec 1983 Australian Open, Melbourne Grass Template:Flagicon Sherwood Stewart Template:Flagicon Mark Edmondson
Template:Flagicon Paul McNamee 		3–6, 6–7
Loss 18–17 Feb 1984 Richmond WCT, U.S. Carpet Template:Flagicon Kevin Curren Template:Flagicon John McEnroe
Template:Flagicon Patrick McEnroe 		6–7, 2–6
Loss 18–18 Mar 1984 Brussels, Belgium Carpet Template:Flagicon Kevin Curren Template:Flagicon Tim Gullikson
Template:Flagicon Tom Gullikson 		4–6, 7–6, 6–7
Loss 18–19 Mar 1984 Milan, Italy Carpet Template:Flagicon Kevin Curren Template:Flagicon Pavel Složil
Template:Flagicon Tomáš Šmíd 		4–6, 3–6
Loss 18–20 Feb 1985 Memphis, U.S. Carpet Template:Flagicon Kevin Curren Template:Flagicon Pavel Složil
Template:Flagicon Tomáš Šmíd 		6–1, 3–6, 4–6
Loss 18–21 Apr 1985 Atlanta, U.S. Carpet Template:Flagicon Tomáš Šmíd Template:Flagicon Paul Annacone
Template:Flagicon Christo van Rensburg 		4–6, 3–6
Loss 18–22 Aug 1987 Cincinnati, U.S. Hard Template:Flagicon John Fitzgerald Template:Flagicon Ken Flach
Template:Flagicon Robert Seguso 		5–7, 3–6
Loss 18–23 Apr 1988 Tokyo Outdoor, Japan Hard Template:Flagicon David Pate Template:Flagicon John Fitzgerald
Template:Flagicon Johan Kriek 		4–6, 7–6, 4–6

Singles: 6 (6 losses)

Result W/L Date Tournament Surface Opponent Score
Loss 0–1 Jan 1982 Australian Open, Melbourne Grass Template:Flagicon Johan Kriek 2–6, 6–7, 7–6, 4–6
Loss 0–2 Mar 1982 Metz, France Hard (i) Template:Flagicon Erick Iskersky 4–6, 3–6
Loss 0–3 Aug 1982 Cincinnati, U.S. Hard Template:Flagicon Ivan Lendl 2–6, 6–7
Loss 0–4 Dec 1982 Australian Open, Melbourne Grass Template:Flagicon Johan Kriek 3–6, 3–6, 2–6
Loss 0–5 Feb 1983 Richmond WCT, U.S. Carpet Template:Flagicon Guillermo Vilas 3–6, 5–7, 4–6
Loss 0–6 Feb 1984 Richmond WCT, U.S. Carpet Template:Flagicon John McEnroe 3–6, 6–7(7–9)

Coaching career

Denton made his first head coaching debut at Texas A&M–Corpus Christi in 2001. In his five seasons there, he led the Islanders to three Southland Conference regular-season championships, two tournament championships, and the team's first-ever NCAA Tournament appearance. He was named Southland Conference Coach of the Year twice, in 2004 and 2005. He finished with a 64–48 overall record.[3]

On August 8, 2006, Denton became the head men's tennis coach at Texas A&M University. After struggling for two years in Big 12 Conference play, Denton led the Aggies to a 5-1 conference record and 2nd-place finish in his third year, earning Big 12 Coach of the Year honors.[4]

Coaching record

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Season Team Overall Conference Standing Postseason
Texas A&M–Corpus Christi Islanders (Southland Conference) (2001–2006)
2001–2002 Texas A&M–Corpus Christi 8–12
2002–2003 Texas A&M–Corpus Christi 13–9
2003–2004 Texas A&M–Corpus Christi 14–7 1st
2004–2005 Texas A&M–Corpus Christi 19–8 6–0 1st NCAA Second Round
2005–2006 Texas A&M–Corpus Christi 10–12 5–1 1st
Texas A&M–Corpus Christi: 64–48
Texas A&M Aggies (Big 12 Conference) (2006–present)
2006–2007 Texas A&M 15–12 1–5 7th NCAA Second Round
2007–2008 Texas A&M 13–12 2–4 5th NCAA Second Round
2008–2009 Texas A&M 17–9 5–1 2nd NCAA Sweet Sixteen
2009–2010 Texas A&M 25–7 5–1 2nd NCAA Sweet Sixteen
2010–2011 Texas A&M 29–6 5–1 2nd NCAA Sweet Sixteen
2011–2012 Texas A&M 14-15 1-4 5th
Texas A&M Aggies (Southeastern Conference) (2012–present)
2012–2013 Texas A&M 19-13 7-5 3rd NCAA Sweet Sixteen
2013–2014 Texas A&M 25-7 10-2 2nd NCAA Second Round
2014–2015 Texas A&M 24-5 11-1 1st NCAA Elite Eight
2015–2016 Texas A&M 27-10 8-4 3rd NCAA Second Round
2016–2017 Texas A&M 21-7 11-1 T-1st NCAA Sweet Sixteen
2017–2018 Texas A&M 26-6 12-0 1st NCAA Final Four
2018–2019 Texas A&M 21-8 10-2 3rd NCAA Second Round
2019–2020 Texas A&M 12-3 4-0 X Cancelled due to Covid19
2020–2021 Texas A&M 19-9 7-5 T-4th NCAA Elite Eight
2021–2022 Texas A&M 22-14 7-5 6th NCAA Second Round
2022–2023 Texas A&M 19-12 7-5 T-5th NCAA Second Round
2023–2024 Texas A&M 20-11 7-5 T-4th NCAA Sweet Sixteen
2024–2025 Texas A&M 18-11 9-5 T-4th NCAA Sweet Sixteen
Texas A&M: 386–177 129–56
Total: 450–225

      National champion         Postseason invitational champion  
      Conference regular season champion         Conference regular season and conference tournament champion
      Division regular season champion       Division regular season and conference tournament champion
      Conference tournament champion

References

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  1. ^ a b Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content."Johan Kriek wins Australian Open". Gainesville Sun. December 14, 1982. Retrieved August 24, 2025.
  2. ^ Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content."Steve Denton". Texas Longhorns Athletics. Archived from the original on May 14, 2008. Retrieved March 22, 2008.
  3. ^ Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content."A&M's Denton Selected to 2008 ITA Hall of Fame Class". Big 12 Sports. Archived from the original on May 11, 2008. Retrieved March 21, 2008.
  4. ^ Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content."Denton, Pollock and Krajicek Earn Big 12 Conference Honors". AggieAthletics.com. Retrieved May 7, 2009.[permanent dead link]

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