Aug. 11, 2016
AUBURN, Ala. - Ryan Lipman will serve as assistant coach for the Auburn men's tennis program, head coach Bobby Reynolds announced today.
The winningest player in Vanderbilt tennis history, Lipman served as a volunteer assistant coach at his alma mater from 2014-16 while competing on the USTA Pro Circuit.
"I've known Ryan for more than 10 years and, after all those years, I can say only positive things about him as an individual and as a player," Reynolds said. "There's not a more qualified candidate to have by my side to build the Auburn men's tennis program together in the coming years."
During his playing career for the Commodores (2009-14), Lipman captured 174 combined singles and doubles wins. He and doubles partner Gonzales Austin became the first Commodore players to earn ITA All-America honors in doubles, setting the VU season (30) and career (36) records for doubles wins, and were the first to earn both singles and doubles All-America honors in the same season.
"I am honored and humbled to be a part of the Auburn tennis program and everything that goes with being an Auburn Tiger. I want to thank Bobby and the University for this incredible opportunity," Lipman said. "I also want to thank Ian Duvenhage and everybody at Vanderbilt University for everything over the past seven years; those were years I will cherish forever.
"I am excited to get to work with the team when they arrive on campus in the coming weeks. War Eagle!"
The first three-time All-American in Vanderbilt men's tennis history, the Nashville native received the ITA Ohio Valley Arthur Ashe Award for both the 2013 and 2014 seasons, and was the only VU men's tennis player to earn all-SEC honors in all four seasons.
A four-time all-SEC honoree and both the 2010 SEC and Ohio Valley freshman of the year, Lipman's highest career ranking in singles was No. 4. His highest ranking in doubles was No. 1.
A four-year NCAA qualifier, he finished as runner-up to Chase Buchanan at the 2009 USTA Boys' 18 National Championships, the most prestigious junior tournament for U.S. citizens, earning him a spot in the 2009 U.S. Open qualifying draw. He received the Bill Talbert Junior Sportsmanship Award from the United States Tennis Association in 2008.
A member of the SEC academic honor roll, Lipman received a bachelor's degree from Vanderbilt in 2014 in management and entrepreneurship. His mother played tennis for Vanderbilt and his brother Maxx plays tennis at Florida.