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The North Carolina men's tennis staff welcomes an outstanding new additionin in 2006-07 with the hiring of 2000 Patterson Medal winner Tripp Phillips as the new full-time assistant coach for the coach Sam Paul's program. Phillips replaces long-time assistant coach Don Johnson, who relocated to Boston, Mass., with his family following the 2005-06 record-setting Tar Heel season. Since his graduation from Carolina in 2000, Phillips has been a highly successful professional player, launching his career in 2001. On October, 6, 2006, the talented right-hander achieved his careeer high Stanford ATP Doubles Ranking at No. 29. In December of 2006, he had a current ranking of No. 32. Phillips has been coached in the professional ranks by both UNC head mentor Sam Paul and by Calvin Davis. His career high INDESIT ATP singles ranking came on May 19, 2003 when he achieved the No. 343 rating in the world. Phillips had a magnificent year in doubles in 2006, going 22-17 overall and earning over $120,000 in prize money. He had his greatest success this past year while playing with Australia's Ashley Fisher. The duo reached the semifinals of the U.S. Open in September, marking an amazing accomplishment for the unseeded team. In other ATP events, he and Fisher won the 2006 championship in Tokyo and they reached the semifinals at the event in Thailand. Teaming with Australia's Stephen Hess, Phillips advanced to the semifinals at Casablanca. On the 2006 Challenger series, Phillips won the title at Mexico City with Rogier Wassen of The Netherlands; reached the finals at Tallahassee with Bobby Reynolds of the U.S.; and was a semifinalist at Sunrise with Fisher. Phillips also played in the semifinals of the U.S.A. F3 event as part of the Future series with the U.S.'s Rob Haywood. Phillips' success on the professional tour should come to no surprise to anyone who saw him play at North Carolina from 1996-2000. At 6-1, 170 pounds, Phillips was a tireless and intense competitor and valued team leader. Phillips, who came to UNC from Charlotte, N.C., earned All-America status his senior season when he played as a fifth-year senior. After returning from a medical redshirt campaign, Phillips had an outstanding senior season, posting a stellar 25-6 singles record at the No.1 singles position. Phillips collected impressive victories over nationally No.1-ranked Daniel Anderson and No. 3-rated Shuon Madden that season. Phillips' vigorous leadership carried the Tar Heels to a second-place ACC finish and a No. 16 national ranking. Phillips' dominating 12-2 record against ACC competetion earned him runnerup honors at No. 1 singles in league competition. Phillips saved his best performance of his career for last as he advanced to the quarterfinals of the NCAA Championships in singles. Phillips' performance elevated him in the ITA rankings as he finished 2000 ranked No. 12 nationally in singles. Phillips' career and character were honored as he received the prestigious Patterson Medal from Carolina and the John Van Nostrand Award from the ITA. He and UNC soccer player Lorrie Fair won the 2000 Patterson Medals. He was the first tennis player so honored since Vic Seixas in 1950. Phillips was born August 26, 1977 in Newport News, Va. He grew up in Charlotte, N.C. and now maintains his permanent residence in Chapel Hill, N.C. Phillips was married to Laura Zuger on November 4, 2006. |
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