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 and lost to the same opponent in the 1982 Australian Open final, this time in straight sets. 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.

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)

ResultYearChampionshipSurfaceOpponentScore
Loss1981Australian OpenGrassSouth Africa Johan Kriek6–2, 7–6, 6–7, 6–4
Loss1982Australian Open (2)GrassUnited States Johan Kriek6–3, 6–3, 6–2

Doubles (1 championship, 1 runner-up)

ResultYearChampionshipSurfacePartnerOpponentsScore
Win1982US OpenGrassSouth Africa Kevin CurrenUnited States Victor Amaya United States Hank Pfister6–2, 6–7, 5–7, 6–2, 6–4
Loss1983Australian OpenGrassUnited States Sherwood StewartAustralia Mark Edmondson Australia Paul McNamee6–3, 7–6

Mixed doubles (3 runners-up)

ResultYearChampionshipSurfacePartnerOpponentsScore
Loss1983WimbledonGrassUnited States Billie Jean KingUnited Kingdom John Lloyd Australia Wendy Turnbull6–7, 7–6, 7–5
Loss1983US OpenGrassUnited States JoAnne RussellUnited States Anne Smith South Africa Kevin Curren6–4, 7–6
Loss1984Wimbledon (2)GrassUnited States Kathy JordanUnited Kingdom John Lloyd Australia Wendy Turnbull6–3, 6–3

Grand Slam tournament performance timeline

Key
WFSFQF#RRRQ#DNQANH

Singles

Tournament198019811982198319841985198619871988SR
Australian OpenQ3FF3R1R2RNH1RA0 / 6
French OpenAA1RA1RAAAA0 / 2
WimbledonQ21R4R1R1R2RQ2Q2Q20 / 5
US OpenA1R4R3R2R1RAAA0 / 5
Strike rate0 / 00 / 30 / 40 / 30 / 40 / 30 / 00 / 10 / 00 / 18

Career finals

Doubles (18 wins, 23 losses)

ResultW/LDateTournamentSurfacePartnerOpponentsScore
Loss0–1Nov 1979Hong KongCarpetUnited States Mark TurpinUnited States Pat Du Pré United States Robert Lutz3–6, 4–6
Win1–1Feb 1980Denver, U.S.CarpetSouth Africa Kevin CurrenPoland Wojciech Fibak Switzerland Heinz Günthardt7–5, 6–2
Loss1–2Mar 1980Washington-2, U.S.CarpetSouth Africa Kevin CurrenUnited States Ferdi Taygan United States Brian Teacher6–4, 3–6, 6–7
Loss1–3Aug 1980North Conway, U.S.ClaySouth Africa Kevin CurrenUnited States Jimmy Connors United States Brian Gottfried6–7, 2–6
Win2–3Aug 1980Indianapolis, U.S.ClaySouth Africa Kevin CurrenPoland Wojciech Fibak Czechoslovakia Ivan Lendl3–6, 7–6, 6–4
Win3–3Oct 1980Barcelona, SpainClayCzechoslovakia Ivan LendlCzechoslovakia Pavel Složil Hungary Balázs Taróczy6–2, 6–7, 6–3
Win4–3Oct 1980Basel, SwitzerlandHard (i)South Africa Kevin CurrenSouth Africa Bob Hewitt South Africa Frew McMillan6–7, 6–4, 6–4
Loss4–4Nov 1980Bologna, ItalyCarpetAustralia Paul McNameeHungary Balázs Taróczy United States Butch Walts6–2, 3–6, 0–6
Win5–4Jan 1981Monterrey WCT, MexicoCarpetSouth Africa Kevin CurrenSouth Africa Johan Kriek New Zealand Russell Simpson7–6, 6–3
Loss5–5Mar 1981Brussels, BelgiumCarpetSouth Africa Kevin CurrenUnited States Sandy Mayer South Africa Frew McMillan6–4, 3–6, 3–6
Loss5–6Jun 1981London/Queen's Club, UKGrassSouth Africa Kevin CurrenUnited States Pat Du Pré United States Brian Teacher6–3, 6–7, 9–11
Win6–6Aug 1981Indianapolis, U.S.ClaySouth Africa Kevin CurrenMexico Raúl Ramírez United States Van Winitsky6–3, 5–7, 7–5
Win7–6Oct 1981Vienna, AustriaHard (i)United States Tim WilkisonUnited States Sammy Giammalva Jr. United States Fred McNair4–6, 6–3, 6–4
Win8–6Nov 1981Stockholm, SwedenHard (i)South Africa Kevin CurrenUnited States Sherwood Stewart United States Ferdi Taygan6–7, 6–4, 6–0
Loss8–7Jan 1982Masters Doubles WCT, LondonCarpetSouth Africa Kevin CurrenSwitzerland Heinz Günthardt Hungary Balázs Taróczy7–6, 3–6, 5–7, 4–6
Win9–7Feb 1982Denver, U.S.CarpetSouth Africa Kevin CurrenAustralia Phil Dent Australia Kim Warwick6–4, 6–4
Win10–7Feb 1982Memphis, U.S.CarpetSouth Africa Kevin CurrenUnited States Peter Fleming United States John McEnroe7–6, 4–6, 6–2
Loss10–8Mar 1982Munich-2 WCT, GermanyCarpetSouth Africa Kevin CurrenAustralia Mark Edmondson Czechoslovakia Tomáš Šmíd6–4, 5–7, 2–6
Win11–8Apr 1982Frankfurt, GermanyCarpetAustralia Mark EdmondsonUnited States Tony Giammalva United States Tim Mayotte6–7, 6–3, 6–3
Win12–8Apr 1982Houston WCT, U.S.ClaySouth Africa Kevin CurrenAustralia Mark Edmondson Australia Peter McNamara7–5, 6–4
Win13–8Aug 1982Toronto, CanadaHardSouth Africa Kevin CurrenUnited States Peter Fleming United States John McEnroe6–7, 7–5, 6–2
Loss13–9Aug 1982Cincinnati, U.S.HardAustralia Mark EdmondsonUnited States Peter Fleming United States John McEnroe2–6, 3–6
Win14–9Sep 1982US Open, New YorkHardSouth Africa Kevin CurrenUnited States Victor Amaya United States Hank Pfister6–2, 6–7, 5–7, 6–2, 6–4
Loss14–10Oct 1982Sydney Indoor, AustraliaHard (i)Australia Mark EdmondsonUnited States John McEnroe United States Peter Rennert3–6, 6–7
Win15–10Feb 1983Philadelphia, U.S.CarpetSouth Africa Kevin CurrenUnited States Peter Fleming United States John McEnroe6–4, 7–6
Win16–10Mar 1983Munich WCT, GermanyCarpetSouth Africa Kevin CurrenSwitzerland Heinz Günthardt Hungary Balázs Taróczy7–5, 2–6, 6–1
Win17–10Apr 1983Houston WCT, U.S.ClaySouth Africa Kevin CurrenUnited States Mark Dickson Czechoslovakia Tomáš Šmíd7–6, 6–7, 6–1
Win18–10Apr 1983Las Vegas, U.S.HardSouth Africa Kevin CurrenUnited States Tracy Delatte United States Johan Kriek6–3, 7–5
Loss18–11May 1983Forest Hills WCT, U.S.ClaySouth Africa Kevin CurrenUnited States Tracy Delatte United States Johan Kriek7–6, 5–7, 3–6
Loss18–12Jun 1983London/Queen's Club, UKGrassSouth Africa Kevin CurrenUnited States Brian Gottfried Australia Paul McNamee4–6, 3–6
Loss18–13Sep 1983Dallas, U.S.HardUnited States Sherwood StewartNigeria Nduka Odizor United States Van Winitsky3–6, 5–7
Loss18–14Oct 1983Tokyo Indoor, JapanCarpetAustralia John FitzgeraldAustralia Mark Edmondson United States Sherwood Stewart1–6, 4–6
Loss18–15Nov 1983Wembley, UKCarpetUnited States Sherwood StewartUnited States Peter Fleming United States John McEnroe3–6, 4–6
Loss18–16Dec 1983Australian Open, MelbourneGrassUnited States Sherwood StewartAustralia Mark Edmondson Australia Paul McNamee3–6, 6–7
Loss18–17Feb 1984Richmond WCT, U.S.CarpetSouth Africa Kevin CurrenUnited States John McEnroe United States Patrick McEnroe6–7, 2–6
Loss18–18Mar 1984Brussels, BelgiumCarpetSouth Africa Kevin CurrenUnited States Tim Gullikson United States Tom Gullikson4–6, 7–6, 6–7
Loss18–19Mar 1984Milan, ItalyCarpetSouth Africa Kevin CurrenCzechoslovakia Pavel Složil Czechoslovakia Tomáš Šmíd4–6, 3–6
Loss18–20Feb 1985Memphis, U.S.CarpetSouth Africa Kevin CurrenCzechoslovakia Pavel Složil Czechoslovakia Tomáš Šmíd6–1, 3–6, 4–6
Loss18–21Apr 1985Atlanta, U.S.CarpetCzechoslovakia Tomáš ŠmídUnited States Paul Annacone South Africa Christo van Rensburg4–6, 3–6
Loss18–22Aug 1987Cincinnati, U.S.HardAustralia John FitzgeraldUnited States Ken Flach United States Robert Seguso5–7, 3–6
Loss18–23Apr 1988Tokyo Outdoor, JapanHardUnited States David PateAustralia John Fitzgerald United States Johan Kriek4–6, 7–6, 4–6

Singles: 6 (6 losses)

ResultW/LDateTournamentSurfaceOpponentScore
Loss0–1Jan 1982Australian Open, MelbourneGrassSouth Africa Johan Kriek2–6, 6–7, 7–6, 4–6
Loss0–2Mar 1982Metz, FranceHard (i)United States Erick Iskersky4–6, 3–6
Loss0–3Aug 1982Cincinnati, U.S.HardCzechoslovakia Ivan Lendl2–6, 6–7
Loss0–4Dec 1982Australian Open, MelbourneGrassUnited States Johan Kriek3–6, 3–6, 2–6
Loss0–5Feb 1983Richmond WCT, U.S.CarpetArgentina Guillermo Vilas3–6, 5–7, 4–6
Loss0–6Feb 1984Richmond WCT, U.S.CarpetUnited States John McEnroe3–6, 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.

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.

Coaching record

Record table
SeasonTeamOverallConferenceStandingPostseason
Texas A&M–Corpus Christi Islanders (Southland Conference) (2001–2006)
2001–2002Texas A&M–Corpus Christi8–12
2002–2003Texas A&M–Corpus Christi13–9
2003–2004Texas A&M–Corpus Christi14–71st
2004–2005Texas A&M–Corpus Christi19–86–01stNCAA Second Round
2005–2006Texas A&M–Corpus Christi10–125–11st
Texas A&M–Corpus Christi:64–48
Texas A&M Aggies (Big 12 Conference) (2006–present)
2006–2007Texas A&M15–121–57thNCAA Second Round
2007–2008Texas A&M13–122–45thNCAA Second Round
2008–2009Texas A&M17–95–12ndNCAA Sweet Sixteen
2009–2010Texas A&M25–75–12ndNCAA Sweet Sixteen
2010–2011Texas A&M29–65–12ndNCAA Sweet Sixteen
2011–2012Texas A&M14-151-45th
Texas A&M Aggies (Southeastern Conference) (2012–present)
2012–2013Texas A&M19-137-53rdNCAA Sweet Sixteen
2013–2014Texas A&M25-710-22ndNCAA Second Round
2014–2015Texas A&M24-511-11stNCAA Elite Eight
2015–2016Texas A&M27-108-43rdNCAA Second Round
2016–2017Texas A&M21-711-1T-1stNCAA Sweet Sixteen
2017–2018Texas A&M26-612-01stNCAA Final Four
2018–2019Texas A&M21-810-23rdNCAA Second Round
2019–2020Texas A&M12-34-0XCancelled due to Covid19
2020–2021Texas A&M19-97-5T-4thNCAA Elite Eight
2021–2022Texas A&M22-147-56thNCAA Second Round
2022–2023Texas A&M19-127-5T-5thNCAA Second Round
2023–2024Texas A&M20-117-5T-4thNCAA Sweet Sixteen
2024–2025Texas A&M18-119-5T-4thNCAA Sweet Sixteen
Texas A&M:386–177129–56
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

External links