SMU Athletics

John Ross – Men’s Tennis 1983-1986

John Ross was a three-time All-American from 1983-86. He helped the Mustangs to three Southwest Conference titles (1983, 1985, 1986). SMU finished in the top six nationally each season, including an NCAA runner-up finish in 1983. He advanced to the quarterfinals of the 1985 NCAA singles championship, finishing the season ranked No. 4 nationally in singles and No. 9 in doubles (with Monte Oppenheim). The 1986 SMU Senior Male Athlete of the Year partnered with Richey Reneberg (SMU HOF 2012) to win that season’s SWC No. 2 doubles championship. He finished his career on the Hilltop in the top 10 for singles victories (79) and doubles triumphs (62). In 1982, he reached the Wimbledon boys’ singles quarterfinal and was runner-up in doubles. He made the second round of the U.S Open and Wimbledon in singles in 1988 and made the second round in doubles at the U.S. Open (1981, 1987) and Australian Open (1988).

The Call I'll Never Forget by John Ross
"My time at SMU was a whirlwind of success on and off the court. I was able to play against the best players in the country while also developing relationships and memories that would last a lifetime."


2024 Hall of Fame ceremony - John Ross starts at 1:00:55