On Saturday, February 12, 2024, Jamie Ashworth, the head coach of the Duke women’s tennis team, reached a remarkable milestone in his career: his 600th win. He achieved this feat with a 4-2 victory over Illinois at the Sheffield Indoor Tennis Center in Durham, North Carolina. Ashworth was honored during a timeout at the Duke men’s basketball game later that day, where he received a framed jersey with the number 600 and a standing ovation from the crowd.
A Legendary Coach
Ashworth, who is in his 29th season as the head coach of the Blue Devils, is one of the most successful and respected coaches in college tennis. He has led Duke to 24 consecutive NCAA tournament appearances, seven ACC regular season titles, six ACC tournament championships, and one NCAA national title in 2009. He has also coached 18 All-Americans, 11 ACC Players of the Year, and two NCAA Singles Champions. He has been named the ITA National Coach of the Year twice (2005 and 2009) and the ACC Coach of the Year six times (1998, 2001, 2003, 2005, 2009, and 2014).
A Humble Leader
Despite his impressive resume, Ashworth is known for his humility and his dedication to his players. He credits his success to the hard work and talent of his team, and he always puts their well-being and development first. He is also a strong advocate for women’s tennis and women’s sports in general, and he strives to promote the sport and the university in a positive way. He is beloved by his current and former players, who praise him for his mentorship, his passion, and his kindness.
A Promising Season
Ashworth and his team are looking forward to a promising season in 2024, as they aim to compete for the ACC and NCAA titles. The Blue Devils are currently ranked No. 3 in the nation, and they have a talented and experienced roster that includes five seniors and three freshmen. They have already won their first four matches of the season, and they will host the ITA Kickoff Weekend on January 26-27, where they will face Princeton, Auburn, and Denver. The winner of the event will advance to the National Team Indoors in Seattle, Washington.
