William Ward (tennis)

William Ward (born 4 March 1986) is a former New Zealand tennis player. He reached the height of his career on the junior circuit in 2004 with a ranking of 24 in the world, then went to college in USA before retiring from playing at only 23 after finishing his study at the University of Kentucky in 2009. He started coaching in 2013, he coaches players Michael Venus and Finn Tearney.

William Ward
Country (sports) New Zealand
ResidenceAuckland, New Zealand
Born (1986-03-04) 4 March 1986
Auckland, New Zealand
Turned proMarch 2004
Retired2009
PlaysLeft-handed, two handed backhand
Prize moneyUS$3,326
Singles
Career record0-1 (Grand Slam, ATP Tour level, and Davis Cup)
Career titles0
Highest rankingNo. 1029 (23 October 2010)
Doubles
Career record0-0
Career titles0
Highest rankingNo. 997 (12 July 2010)
Team competitions
Davis Cup0–1
Last updated on: 22 May 2021.

Career

Ward started his junior tennis career in 2000 at the age of 14. He played his first grade 1 tournament in March 2003, his first grade B tournament in August 2003, and his first grade A tournament, the highest junior tournament level, in October 2003.[1] In March 2004 he was ranked among the top 30 in the junior circuit and was selected to represent New Zealand in the 2004 Davis Cup,[2] he only competed in one game at the Davis Cup Indonesia at the first round playoffs in April, at the second round playoffs in Pakistan he was promised selection by the Davis Cup captain after playing US Open Juniors where he made the third round, however, once arriving in Pakistan he was not selected to play and this resulted with William Ward and the Davis Cup captain being in disagreement with each other over the selection process. Earlier in the year he competed in the quarterfinals at 2004 Wimbledon boys' singles and was the top ranked New Zealand junior at the end of the year.[3] He retired from tennis in 2009. He started coaching in 2013, coaching players Michael Venus,[4] who won the 2017 French Open men's doubles, and Finn Tearney.[5] He was also a member of the board of directors for Tennis NZ until 2021.[6]

Davis Cup

Legend
Group membership
World Group (0)
Group I (0–1)
Group II (0–0)
Group III (0)
Group IV (0)
Rubber outcome No. Rubber Match type (partner if any) Opponent nation Opponent player(s) Score
Decrease0-5; 9–11 March 2004; Gelora Bung Karno Stadium, Jakarta, Indonesia; Group I Asia/Oceania First round play-offs; Hard surface
Defeat 2. IV Singles (dead rubber) Indonesia Indonesia Febi Widhiyanto 4–6, 3–6

ITF Futures finals

Doubles: 2 (0–2)

Result W–L    Date    Tournament Tier Surface Partner Opponents Score
Loss 0–1 Oct 2009 Thailand F5, Nakhon Ratchasima Futures Hard New Zealand Matt Simpson Finland Harri Heliövaara

Czech Republic Roman Jebavý

2–6, 2–6
Loss 0–2 Nov 2009 Vietnam F1, Bình Dương Futures Hard New Zealand Matt Simpson Thailand Kirati Siributwong

New Zealand Rubin Statham

4–6, 0–6

ITF World Tennis Tour Juniors

Singles: 2 (2 runners-up)

Legend
Category JA (0–0)
Category J1 (0–0)
Category J2 (0–1)
Category J3 (0–0)
Category J4 (0–1)
Category J5 (0–0)
Result W–L    Date    Tournament Category Surface Opponent Score
Loss 0–1 Feb 2003 Sunsmart 18 and Under Canterbury Championships, New Zealand Category G4 Hard New Zealand Kiril Tcherveniachki 3–6, 3–6
Loss 0–2 Oct 2003 Thailand Junior International Tennis Championships, Thailand Category G2 Hard South Korea Yi Chu-huan 3–6, 6–3, 3–6

Doubles: 3 (2 titles, 1 runner-up)

Legend
Category JA (0–0)
Category J1 (0–1)
Category J2 (0–0)
Category J3 (0–0)
Category J4 (2–0)
Category J5 (0–0)
Result W–L    Date    Tournament Category Surface Partner Opponents Score
Win 1–0 Feb 2003 Auckland 18 & Under Summer Championships, New Zealand Category G4 Hard New Zealand Kiril Tcherveniachki Australia Guy Belcher

Australia David Galic

6–2, 6–2
Win 2–0 Feb 2003 Sunsmart 18 and Under Canterbury Championships, New Zealand Category G4 Hard New Zealand Kiril Tcherveniachki Australia Steven Fotakis

Australia Patrick Jozwik

7–5, 6–4
Loss 2–1 Mar 2004 Amata Cup, 24th Thailand International Junior Tennis Championships, Thailand Category G1 Hard India Karan Rastogi South Korea Jun Woong-sun

South Korea Kim Sun-yong

1–6, 3–6

See also

References

  1. "William Ward Juniors Singles Activity". www.itftennis.com. Retrieved 22 May 2021.
  2. "Tennis: Youthful team for Davis Cup". New Zealand Herald. Retrieved 22 May 2021.
  3. "World tennis tour junior rankings". www.itftennis.com. Retrieved 22 May 2021.
  4. "Michael Venus struggling to get to Melbourne for Australian Open". Stuff. 28 January 2021. Retrieved 22 May 2021.
  5. "No financial fair play for Finn Tearney". Stuff. 10 January 2016. Retrieved 22 May 2021.
  6. "Marina Erakovic appointed to Tennis NZ Board". tennis.kiwi. Retrieved 19 June 2022.
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