Former Vol national champion returning to Tennessee as assistant coach

Tennessee women’s tennis head coach Alison Ojeda announced the hiring of Pat Harper as an assistant coach on Wednesday.

Harper, a former tennis player at Tennessee, returns to Knoxville after three years of professional tennis.

“I am very excited that Pat is joining our program as a coach,” Ojeda said. “There’s something special about being a Tennessee Vol, and Pat shares that same joy and commitment to excellence. He knows what it takes to be a national champion in college tennis and he also knows what it takes to be a successful professional tennis player on tour.”

Harper discussed returning to Tennessee.

“I am so excited to be coming back to Rocky Top, and to get to work alongside Alison and Martim (Prata),” he said. “It’s a special feeling coming back to the place where I had so many great memories on and off the tennis court. Now, working with the women’s team, I can share those experiences and that knowledge from the time I spent on the pro tour.

“I am pumped to get going this upcoming year, and to work hard to achieve our goals for this upcoming year and the years to come.”

Harper won a 2021 NCAA doubles national championship with Adam Walton. He was named an All-American in each of his final three full seasons with the Vols. Harper had a 96-38 record in doubles competition and has the 11th most doubles victories in school history.

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