Former Tiger volleying his way to the top

MEMPHIS, Tenn. – Walking the hallowed grounds of the All England Lawn & Tennis Club in London does not evoke the same emotions for former University of Memphis standout Joe Salisbury as it might for a first-time visitor.

How could it?

Salisbury grew up 10 minutes from the club, where the sport's premier event, Wimbledon, is played every summer. Known as the sport's mecca -- a place where legends are born and history is made – it also is familiar to Salisbury. He made frequent visits to the tournament in his youth. He attended school in the area.

But walking the grounds, he found, is not same as playing on the courts. Salisbury discovered the difference when he made his Wimbledon debut in July 2017.

"I went, pretty much, every year to watch it and just be around it," he said. "I remember thinking when I was a boy how amazing it would be to play here."

He got the chance two years ago, losing a first-round doubles match and experiencing the venue's intimidating presence.

"I was in awe of the place and didn't play my best match," Salisbury said. "The occasion got the better of me, a bit."

Since then, Salisbury, who turned 27 in April, gradually has become one of the best doubles players in the world, rising to No. 19 in the Association of Tennis Professionals rankings, a career-best for Salisbury. He is one of only two former UofM players to earn a Top 20 world ranking. Chip Hooper rose to No. 17 in singles in the early 1980s.

A member of the first Memphis team to play in the NCAA tournament in 2012, Salisbury has put together remarkable back-to-back years on the pro tour. He won three events in 2018 (Vienna, Austria; Shenzen, China; and Nottingham, Great Britain) and followed his 2017 Wimbledon debut by reaching the semifinals with partner Frederik Nielsen in 2018,

In 2019, he picked up his fourth title, winning the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships in March with partner Rajeev Ram, a 35-year-old American and accomplished doubles player. They also reached the quarterfinals at the French Open.

Last week at London's Queen's Club, Salisbury and Ram reached another ATP World Tour tournament final. They defeated the sport's greatest doubles tandem of all time – Mike and Bob Bryan – in the semifinals before falling to Feliciano Lopez and Andy Murray, the former World No. 1 in singles, in the championship.

The impressive effort allowed Salisbury to crack the Top 20 (Ram is ranked 25^th). He and Ram will enter Wimbledon – held July 1-14 – as the 12^th-seeded team, continuing a magical post-UofM ride for Salisbury.

"It's hard to describe," Salisbury said. "This last year has been incredible. I never thought, even a year ago, I could be where I am now . . . at any point in my career."

Since April 2017, he has risen from No. 200 in the world to his current ranking, an impressive leap of more than 180 spots.

Salisbury enjoyed a memorable, productive career at the UofM, mostly as a No. 2 singles player and part of a highly successful doubles tandem with David O'Hare. Now he's winning significant matches, beating accomplished veterans and participating in post-match, on-court trophy presentations alongside Roger Federer (who won the singles title in Dubai).

"When I was at Memphis, I never thought this is where I could one day be," Salisbury said. "I didn't know where my level (of talent) could get me to. I thought maybe one day I could get a wild card (entry) into Wimbledon, or go through singles qualifying at a Grand Slam tournament. To be where I am now, I'm not sure I ever thought that was an achievable thing."

While Salisbury may have had his doubts, Memphis tennis coach Paul Goebel recognized a special quality in Salisbury. From the moment he met him on a recruiting trip to England, Goebel said Salisbury "had a great mind for the game."

"He's always had this belief he is supposed to be there," Goebel said. "I think he has set himself up to do very well for a long time. "

Assistant coach Chris Doerr, who will be at Wimbledon to watch Salisbury, said Salisbury not only volleys with precision, but he is blessed with the ability "to read the game well."

After beginning his college career slowly – the result of Salisbury needing time to recover from pre-college injuries – he settled into a rhythm for the Tigers' tennis team, playing a huge role in the team's run to the Sweet 16 in 2013.

Upon graduation, he spent time on the pro tour's minor league circuit of Futures and Challengers tournaments, winning his share of matches and titles before emerging as a Tour regular.

"Before I went to college, I wasn't playing too much," Salisbury said. "I had a lot of injuries so I was nowhere near being able to play professionally.

"At Memphis, it was great being able to play a lot again and be injury free during my fours in an amazing environment with a great bunch of guys and for an amazing coach. He was such a great guy who taught us so much on and off the court. I couldn't have asked for anymore from my college experience."

And regardless of how much success he may enjoy in the future as a touring pro, Salisbury doesn't know if any experience will compare to the pure joy of capturing a conference title – and automatic NCAA bid – in 2013 by upsetting Tulsa in the league finals.

"That was amazing," Salisbury said. "And it's something I haven't experienced since. Playing with, and for, your team is something you don't experience (on Tour). The highlight of your college career is when you are playing those (high-level) matches. It's tough to beat that."

University of Memphis Athletics

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