Completed Event: Men's Tennis versus #21 University of Southern California on May 1, 2026 , Loss , 2, to, 4
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Final
Men's Tennis
2
vs #21 University of Southern California
4
Pura Rejoins Duke Men's Tennis Staff
5/24/2024 1:41:00 PM | Men's Tennis
DURHAM – Former Blue Devil TJ Pura is set to rejoin the Duke men's tennis staff, Duke head coach Ramsey Smith announced Friday.
Pura, who served as Duke's volunteer assistant coach for the 2022-23 season, will return as the Blue Devils' first assistant coach. He comes back to Durham after spending one season (2023-24) as the first assistant coach at Vanderbilt University. While in Nashville, Pura helped the Commodores to their first NCAA Tournament appearance since 2019 and mentored 2024 SEC Freshman of the Year and at-large NCAA Singles participant, Danil Panarin. Vanderbilt jumped from No. 72 in the national rankings the year before Pura arrived to a final 2024 ranking of No. 42. Additionally, Pura helped recruit nine players to the program and aided in execution of the Commodores' NIL strategy.
"I am thrilled to welcome TJ back home to Duke," Smith said. "This is a historic day for Duke Men's Tennis. TJ occupies a very special place in my heart, and he is undoubtedly a one-of-a-kind coach and mentor to our student-athletes. I recruited TJ, coached him through his four years at Duke, and remember encouraging him just a couple years ago to leave his corporate career and pursue his calling as a college tennis coach. I think TJ is the most impressive under-30 coach, mentor, motivator, energizer, and leader in the country. He holds a deep passion for life, people, development, growth, and he is committed to lifelong education in these areas. TJ has an endless motor and tirelessly invests in the student-athletes he works with. I am so excited to collaborate with TJ at Duke and build on the positive momentum within our men's tennis program."
Pura was a member of the Duke program from 2013-17 and earned Third Team All-ACC honors in 2017. The two-time team captain graduated sixth in program history with 30 career ACC singles wins and tied for seventh in most career ACC singles matches played with 41. Pura also ended his career tied for first in single-season ACC singles wins (11) and singles winning percentage (1.000; 11-0) during his senior year. In addition, he compiled the longest single-season ACC winning streak in program history when he went 11-0 during a stretch in 2016-17.
For those efforts, Pura was named the 2017 Intercollegiate Tennis Association's Carolina Region Most Improved Senior and recipient of the team's first annual Robert C. Taylor Leadership Award.
Pura also found his way into Duke's record book his freshman year when he finished tied for first in highest ACC singles winning percentage as a rookie with a mark of 6-0 (1.000) and fourth in highest doubles winning percentage with a record of 12-2 (.857). During his Blue Devil tenure, Pura helped lead Duke to an overall record of 71-39 and three NCAA team championship appearances (2014-15-17), including a showing in the round of 16 in 2015. He owned one singles title (Winthrop Invitational - 2A, 2013) for his career and captured one doubles title (Duke Fab Four Invitational - White Bracket, 2013).
"I feel very lucky to be rejoining the Duke Tennis family and broader Duke community. To have the opportunity to join forces with Ramsey, someone who has played an integral role in my development as a person, player and coach is incredibly meaningful. Ramsey's passion and dedication for Duke Tennis is infectious and he has built tremendous positive momentum within the program on numerous levels. I truly believe this is a special time for Duke Tennis and feel honored to be a part of it. This university means so much to me and I look forward to representing Duke with the utmost dedication, passion and integrity. Vamos!"
Pura graduated from Duke in 2017 with a degree in computer science and history with a certification in innovation and entrepreneurship. After graduation Pura became a professional tennis player on the ITF Futures Tour. Since retiring from the professional circuit, Pura spent three years in investment banking and corporate finance before recognizing that his true passion was coaching and peak performance. He has become a mentor and mental coach for numerous athletes, including Tommy Paul who is a top-15 ATP player.
To stay up to date with Blue Devils men's tennis, follow the team on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook by searching "DukeMTEN".
Duke Centennial
In 2024, Duke celebrates its Centennial, marking one hundred years since Trinity College became Duke University. Duke will use this historic milestone to deepen the understanding of its history, inspire pride and strengthen bonds and partnerships, and prepare for a second century of continued excellence and impactful leadership. To learn more, please visit 100.duke.edu
#GoDuke
Pura, who served as Duke's volunteer assistant coach for the 2022-23 season, will return as the Blue Devils' first assistant coach. He comes back to Durham after spending one season (2023-24) as the first assistant coach at Vanderbilt University. While in Nashville, Pura helped the Commodores to their first NCAA Tournament appearance since 2019 and mentored 2024 SEC Freshman of the Year and at-large NCAA Singles participant, Danil Panarin. Vanderbilt jumped from No. 72 in the national rankings the year before Pura arrived to a final 2024 ranking of No. 42. Additionally, Pura helped recruit nine players to the program and aided in execution of the Commodores' NIL strategy.
"I am thrilled to welcome TJ back home to Duke," Smith said. "This is a historic day for Duke Men's Tennis. TJ occupies a very special place in my heart, and he is undoubtedly a one-of-a-kind coach and mentor to our student-athletes. I recruited TJ, coached him through his four years at Duke, and remember encouraging him just a couple years ago to leave his corporate career and pursue his calling as a college tennis coach. I think TJ is the most impressive under-30 coach, mentor, motivator, energizer, and leader in the country. He holds a deep passion for life, people, development, growth, and he is committed to lifelong education in these areas. TJ has an endless motor and tirelessly invests in the student-athletes he works with. I am so excited to collaborate with TJ at Duke and build on the positive momentum within our men's tennis program."
Pura was a member of the Duke program from 2013-17 and earned Third Team All-ACC honors in 2017. The two-time team captain graduated sixth in program history with 30 career ACC singles wins and tied for seventh in most career ACC singles matches played with 41. Pura also ended his career tied for first in single-season ACC singles wins (11) and singles winning percentage (1.000; 11-0) during his senior year. In addition, he compiled the longest single-season ACC winning streak in program history when he went 11-0 during a stretch in 2016-17.
For those efforts, Pura was named the 2017 Intercollegiate Tennis Association's Carolina Region Most Improved Senior and recipient of the team's first annual Robert C. Taylor Leadership Award.
Pura also found his way into Duke's record book his freshman year when he finished tied for first in highest ACC singles winning percentage as a rookie with a mark of 6-0 (1.000) and fourth in highest doubles winning percentage with a record of 12-2 (.857). During his Blue Devil tenure, Pura helped lead Duke to an overall record of 71-39 and three NCAA team championship appearances (2014-15-17), including a showing in the round of 16 in 2015. He owned one singles title (Winthrop Invitational - 2A, 2013) for his career and captured one doubles title (Duke Fab Four Invitational - White Bracket, 2013).
"I feel very lucky to be rejoining the Duke Tennis family and broader Duke community. To have the opportunity to join forces with Ramsey, someone who has played an integral role in my development as a person, player and coach is incredibly meaningful. Ramsey's passion and dedication for Duke Tennis is infectious and he has built tremendous positive momentum within the program on numerous levels. I truly believe this is a special time for Duke Tennis and feel honored to be a part of it. This university means so much to me and I look forward to representing Duke with the utmost dedication, passion and integrity. Vamos!"
Pura graduated from Duke in 2017 with a degree in computer science and history with a certification in innovation and entrepreneurship. After graduation Pura became a professional tennis player on the ITF Futures Tour. Since retiring from the professional circuit, Pura spent three years in investment banking and corporate finance before recognizing that his true passion was coaching and peak performance. He has become a mentor and mental coach for numerous athletes, including Tommy Paul who is a top-15 ATP player.
To stay up to date with Blue Devils men's tennis, follow the team on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook by searching "DukeMTEN".
Duke Centennial
In 2024, Duke celebrates its Centennial, marking one hundred years since Trinity College became Duke University. Duke will use this historic milestone to deepen the understanding of its history, inspire pride and strengthen bonds and partnerships, and prepare for a second century of continued excellence and impactful leadership. To learn more, please visit 100.duke.edu
#GoDuke
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