The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
Hall of Honor
- Induction:
- 2006
Steve Denton of Driscoll, Texas was a member of the Texas Longhorns tennis team from 1976-1979. A hard-serving doubles specialist who also developed into one of the nation's top singles players as a pro, Denton earned All-American honors in 1978 by reaching the NCAA round of eight in singles play. At UT he played behind the shadows cast by Kevin Curren and Gary Plock after winning the UIL state Class 3A four straight years for Bishop High School. Denton compiled an impressive 85-22 singles record at UT, which ranks 3rd on the winningest percentage list kept since 1972. He won the U.S. Tennis Association amateur indoor and SWC doubles title with Kevin Curren in 1979 and teamed with Curren to win the U.S. Open doubles in 1982. He won twenty doubles pro titles in all. He was a finalist in both the 1981 and 1982 Australian Open singles and reached the round of 16 at Wimbledon and the U.S. Open in 1982. He was a member of the U.S. Davis Cup teams in 1982 and 1983 and earned world rankings of No. 2 in doubles and No. 11 in singles. He made the Guinness Book of Records with his 139 mph serve. He was inducted into the Texas Tennis Hall of Fame in the 1990s. Among Denton's professional victories were wins over Boris Becker, John McEnroe and Kevin Curren as he advanced to the finals of the Australian Open, and the rounds of 16 at Wimbledon and the U.S. Open. In 2006, he was Denton was inducted to the Texas Athletics Hall of Honor. Denton is currently the Head Tennis Coach of Texas A&M University, a position he has held since 2006.