George Washington University Athletics
GW Names David Macpherson Men's Tennis Head Coach
8/24/2016 12:00:00 AM | Men's Tennis
WASHINGTON - George Washington Director of Athletics and Recreation Patrick Nero announced today that David Macpherson has been hired as the head coach of the men's tennis program.
"We're thrilled to announce David as our men's tennis head coach," said Nero. "His success at the highest level of the sport, both as a player and as a coach, will give our student-athletes an unparalleled environment for growth. We look forward to seeing David take the program to new heights."
"GW is a tremendous school and everyone I've met in the administration has been wonderful," said Macpherson. "After visits to the campus, I really just fell in love with it. I can't wait to be a part of it - it's a very exciting time in my life."
Since 2005, Macpherson has served as coach of American duo Bob and Mike Bryan - more widely known as the Bryan Brothers - guiding the famed tandem to an Olympic gold medal, 10 year-end world No. 1 rankings, 15 grand slam titles and 87 career titles. In 2014, Macpherson coached Roger Federer and Stanislas Wawrinka to the 2014 Davis Cup title and was named World Team Tennis Coach of the Year in 2014.
Macpherson posted a stellar professional career on the ATP tour from 1984-2003 that saw the Tasmania, Australia, native reach a career-high ATP individual doubles ranking of No. 11 and a doubles team ranking of No. 8. Macpherson tallied 16 ATP tour titles - including the 1992 Masters Series Indian Wells crown - and amassed 288 career ATP tour victories.
In 2004, Macpherson founded the David Macpherson Tennis Academy in Sarasota, Florida, where he worked with high level junior players.
"I think working with student-athletes will be wonderful," said Macpherson. "I'll be able to talk to the players and coach them from the perspective of the game played at the highest level, so I think that will be a nice advantage for them to have that wisdom and get the best out of themselves. Of course, they have to balance their studies as well, so that's a challenge that the professionals don't have - that is the challenge of the college athlete - but I'm sure it'll be, as always, something that the student-athletes handle well."
Macpherson will inherit a strong GW squad that has won Atlantic 10 titles the last three consecutive seasons.
"When I heard that the GW position was available, I was very excited," said Macpherson. "I have a lot of close friends here in D.C., and of course I knew what an incredible school GW is, so I just felt like it was the right time in my life to make a change into coaching the college team."
