Jump to content

Brian Vahaly: Difference between revisions

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Browse history interactively
← Previous edit
Content deleted Content added
VisualWikitext
Tag: possible unreferenced addition to BLP
 
(204 intermediate revisions by more than 100 users not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
{{short description|American tennis player}}
'''Brian Vahaly''' (born [[July 19]] [[1979]] in [[Camden, New Jersey]]) is a former American professional [[tennis]] player and graduate of the Mcintire School of Commerce at the University of Virginia.
{{Multiple issues|
{{external links|date=November 2015}}
{{BLP sources|date=October 2012}}
}}


{{Use mdy dates|date=October 2013}}
==Early career==
He began playing tennis at the age of two with his parents, Barry and Karen. As a junior, Brian Vahaly captured the Easter Bowl 18's title and reached the final of the Coffee Bowl in [[Costa Rica]] (losing to [[Nicolás Massú]]) in [[1997]]. His best junior Grand Slam result was reaching the quarter final at [[Wimbledon Championships|Wimbledon]] that same year, where he finished 17th in the world junior rankings.


{{Infobox tennis biography
Vahaly proceeded to play four years of collegiate tennis at the [[University of Virginia]] from 1998-2001, where he earned All-American honors three years and finished as the school's most successful player. In 2000, he won the [[United States Amateur Championships (Men's Tennis)]].
|country = {{USA}}
|residence = [[Washington DC]]. [[United States]]
|name = Brian Vahaly
|image =
|birth_date = {{birth date and age|1979|7|19}}
|birth_place = [[Camden, New Jersey|Camden]], [[New Jersey]], [[United States]]
|height = {{height|ft=6|in=0}}
|turnedpro = 2001
|retired = 2007
|plays = Right-handed (two-handed backhand)
|careerprizemoney = [[US$|$]]1,975,775
|singlesrecord = 40-43
|singlestitles = 0
|highestsinglesranking = No. 57 (17 March 2003)
|AustralianOpenresult = 2R ([[2003 Australian Open – Men's singles|2003]], [[2004 Australian Open – Men's singles|2004]])
|FrenchOpenresult = 1R ([[2003 French Open – Men's singles|2003]])
|Wimbledonresult = 2R ([[2003 Wimbledon Championships – Men's singles|2003]])
|USOpenresult = 2R ([[2002 US Open – Men's singles|2002]], [[2003 US Open – Men's singles|2003]])
|doublesrecord = 16–17
|doublestitles = 0
|highestdoublesranking = No. 94 (15 September 2003)
|FrenchOpenDoublesresult = 2R ([[2003 French Open – Men's doubles|2003]])
|WimbledonDoublesresult = 1R ([[2004 Wimbledon Championships – Men's doubles|2004]])
|USOpenDoublesresult = Q1 ([[2000 US Open – Men's doubles qualifying|2000]])
|Mixed = yes
|mixedrecord = 0–1
|mixedtitles = 0
|USOpenMixedresult = 1R ([[2003 US Open – Mixed doubles|2003]])
|updated = 29 July 2023
}}


'''Brian Vahaly''' (born July 19, 1979) is an [[Americans|American]] former professional [[tennis player]] and a graduate of [[University of Virginia]].<ref name="Rat">[https://archive.today/20130121084743/http://www2.dailyprogress.com/sports/cdp-sports/2008/mar/30/ratcliffe_on_vahaly_retires_on_his_own_terms-ar-86155/ Vahaly retires on his own terms]</ref> He reached the quarterfinals of the [[2003 Pacific Life Open – Men's singles|2003 Indian Wells Masters]] (defeating world no. 1 [[Juan Carlos Ferrero]] en route) and achieved a career-high of world no. 57 in March 2003.
In [[2001]], Vahaly reached the singles final at the [[National Collegiate Athletic Association|NCAA]] Championships, but lost to Matias Boeker of [[Georgia (U.S. state)|Georgia]], ending a 20-match winning streak. He lost in the doubles semi-final with Huntley Montgomery, but finished as the country's number one player in doubles (34-8) and 5th in singles (40-6).


==Early career==
Vahaly became school's first tennis All-American in [[1999]] and during the previous season was named the [[Atlantic Coast Conference]] Rookie of Year after posting a 21-10 record as a freshman. In his last two seasons, he received ACC Player of Year honors and as a senior was named the University of Virginia Male Athlete of Year.
He began playing tennis at the age of two with his parents Barry and Karen. As a junior, Brian Vahaly captured the Easter Bowl 18s title and reached the final of the Coffee Bowl in [[Costa Rica]] in 1997. His best junior Grand Slam result was reaching the quarterfinal at [[Wimbledon Championships|Wimbledon]] that same year, where he finished 17th in the world junior rankings.


Vahaly proceeded to play four years of collegiate tennis at the University of Virginia from 1998 to 2001, where he was a three-time All-American and finished as the school's most successful player.<ref name="Rat"/> In 2000, he won the [[United States Amateur Championships (Men's Tennis)]]. In 2001, Vahaly reached the singles final at the [[National Collegiate Athletic Association|NCAA]] Championships, and lost in the doubles semifinal with [[Huntley Montgomery]], but finished as the no. 1 player in doubles and no. 5 in singles (40-6).
==Professional career==
In [[2003]], Vahaly enjoyed a breakthrough season on the ATP circuit, advancing to the semifinals of Memphis and the quarterfinals of [[Indian Wells]]. He defeated three top 10 ranked players [[Fernando Gonzalez]], (2003 French Open Champion and former world #1) [[Juan Carlos Ferrero]], and [[Tommy Robredo]] at Indian Wells and later teamed with [[Andy Roddick]] in [[Washington DC]] to defeat the #1 ranked doubles team of [[Bob and Mike Bryan]]. During the year he also posted wins over [[Michael Chang]] and [[Vince Spadea]]. He also debuted at the [[Australian Open]] losing to eventual champion [[Andre Agassi]] and at [[Roland Garros (tennis)|Roland Garros]] losing to [[Lleyton Hewitt]], and made his first appearances at [[Tennis Masters Series]] tournaments. Vahaly was the only college graduate in the top 100 in the world and was recognized by [[People Magazine]] in their 25 Hottest Bachelors issue.


Vahaly became UVA's first tennis All-American in 1999 and during the previous season was named the [[Atlantic Coast Conference]] Rookie of Year. In his last two seasons, he was a two-time ACC Player of Year, and as a senior, he was named the University of Virginia Male Athlete of Year. He graduated with two majors in Finance and Business Management, and finished his career at Virginia as an Academic All-American. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame of University of Virginia Men's Tennis.
In 2003, Vahaly also started the Brian Vahaly Brighter Future Foundation raising over 300,000 dollars for his own local charity within the [[Georgia]] community. It serves to help underprivliged kids with after-school programs by providing academic and tennis opportunities to children in need. Additionally, Vahaly worked with the [[St Vincent de Paul]] society to give back to families in disadvantaged circumstances. Since retiring from the tour, the Foundation has currently partnered with the Georgia Tennis Foundation to continue to assist young children in local [[YMCAs]].


==Professional career==
In [[2004]], Vahaly spent most of the year on the ATP circuit playing events in [[Indianapolis]], [[Los Angeles]], [[Newport]], [[Houston]], [[Indian Wells]], [[San Jose]], [[Adelaide]], and the [[Australian Open]] (losing to finalist [[Marat Safin]]).
In 2002, Vahaly enjoyed a breakthrough season on the ATP circuit, advancing to the semifinals of Memphis (falling to [[Andy Roddick]]) and the quarterfinals of [[Indian Wells Masters|Indian Wells]]. He defeated three top 10 ranked players [[Fernando González]], (2003 French Open Champion and former world no. 1) [[Juan Carlos Ferrero]], and [[Tommy Robredo]] at Indian Wells and later teamed with [[Andy Roddick]] in Washington, D.C., to defeat the no. 1 ranked doubles team of [[Bob and Mike Bryan]]. During the year he also posted wins over [[Michael Chang]] and [[Vince Spadea]]. Vahaly was the only college graduate in the top 100 in the world and was recognized by ''[[People (magazine)|People]]'' magazine in its issue of the 25 Hottest Bachelors. In March 2003, he reached his career high singles ranking of world no. 57.


In 2004-2007, Vahaly spent most of the year on the ATP circuit playing events in Indianapolis, Los Angeles, Newport, Houston, Indian Wells, San Jose, Adelaide, and the [[Australian Open]] (losing to finalist [[Marat Safin]]).
In [[2005]], Vahaly continued to improve his ranking with success at the Challenger level. He won the Tallahassee Challenger in April, posting impressive wins over [[Robert Kendrick]] in the semi-final and [[Justin Gimelstob]] in the final. During the summer, he played [[World Team Tennis]] for the [[New York Buzz]]. In October, he won the Calabasas, California Challenger beating Gimelstob and [[Jeff Morrison]] en route to the title. He also competed at Indian Wells and posted wins in the ATP event in [[Delray Beach]].


Vahaly began [[2006]] strongly, beating [[Sam Querrey]] at the ATP International Series event in Las Vegas. He was unable to play any tournaments after July due to a shoulder injury. Despite the injury, Vahaly played his last tournament at the U.S. Open. After the tournament, Vahaly revealed that the shoulder injury had plagued him for some time. On September 7th, 2006, Brian underwent surgery to repair several tears to his right rotator cuff. At the time, Vahaly understood the seriousness of his injury but hoped to eventually return to tennis. He had two additional surgeries later that year.
Vahaly played his last tournament at the U.S. Open losing to [[Juan Martín del Potro]]. After the tournament, Vahaly revealed that the shoulder injury had plagued him for some time. On September 7, 2007, Brian underwent surgery to repair several tears to his right [[rotator cuff]]. He had two additional surgeries later that year.


==Retirement==
==Retirement==
In November 2007, Vahaly announced his retirement from professional tennis on his website. He had three shoulder surgeries from 2006 to 2007. He moved to Washington, D.C., to work for a private equity fund. In 2013, Vahaly began serving on the USTA board of directors and then became the chief operating officer at two different venture capital firms, Venturehouse Group and NextGen Venture Partners.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Brian Vahaly, NextGen Venture Partners: Profile and Biography|url=https://www.bloomberg.com/profile/person/20314381|access-date=2021-05-06|website=Bloomberg.com|language=en}}</ref> Vahaly has distinguished himself as a respected chief executive with a track record of success in operational turnarounds, driving growth and improving profitability for private equity-backed, early-stage companies in the health and wellness sector. Vahaly has recently elected to serve as the Chairman of the Board and President of the USTA and US Open for the 2025-2026 term.
In November 2007, Vahaly announced his retirement from professional tennis on his website. He had three surgeries in the period between fall 2006 and 2007. Vahaly now works for UBS, a global provider of financial services, in their private wealth management division.

== Personal life ==
Vahaly came out as [[Gay men|gay]] in 2017 in a podcast.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Addicott |first=Adam |date=2021-06-25 |title=EXCLUSIVE: Brian Vahaly on coming to terms with his sexuality, dealing with hate and making tennis inclusive |url=https://www.ubitennis.net/2021/06/exclusive-brian-vahaly-on-coming-to-terms-with-his-sexuality-dealing-with-hate-and-making-tennis-inclusive/ |access-date=2022-12-07 |website=UBITENNIS |language=en-US}}</ref> He is married to Bill Jones, with whom he is raising two twin boys.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Buzinski |first=Jim |date=2017-05-12 |title=Former pro tennis player Brian Vahaly talks about being gay, his husband and being a dad |url=https://www.outsports.com/2017/5/12/15626904/former-pro-tennis-player-brian-vahaly-talks-about-being-gay |access-date=2022-12-07 |website=Outsports |language=en}}</ref> He is one of very few [[Coming out|out]] male professional tennis players, and the first gay man to publicly come out after playing on the ATP Tour.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Brian Vahaly: 'I Don't Want Kids To Fear' {{!}} ATP Tour {{!}} Tennis |url=https://www.atptour.com/en/news/brian-vahaly-feature-june-2020 |access-date=2022-12-07 |website=ATP Tour}}</ref>

==ATP Challenger and ITF Futures finals==

===Singles: 15 (10–5)===
{|
|-valign=top
|
{|class=wikitable style=font-size:97%
!Legend
|-bgcolor=moccasin
|ATP Challenger (5–4)
|-bgcolor=cffcff
|ITF Futures (5–1)
|}
|
{|class=wikitable style=font-size:97%
!Finals by surface
|-
|Hard (9–4)
|-
|Clay (1–1)
|-
|Grass (0–0)
|-
|Carpet (0–0)
|}
|}

{|class="sortable wikitable"
!Result
!class="unsortable"|W–L
!Date
!Tournament
!Tier
!Surface
!Opponent
!class="unsortable"|Score
|-
|style="background:#98fb98;"|Win
|<small>1–0</small>
|{{dts|Jul 2001}}
|style="background:#cffcff;"|USA F17-A, [[Quogue, New York|Quogue]]
|style="background:#cffcff;"|Futures
|Clay
|{{flagicon|GER}} [[Bjorn Jacob]]
|5–7, 6–3, 6–2
|-
|style="background:#ffa07a;"|Loss
|<small>1–1</small>
|{{dts|Jul 2001}}
|style="background:#cffcff;"|USA F17-B, [[Pittsburgh]]
|style="background:#cffcff;"|Futures
|Clay
|{{flagicon|AUS}} [[Jaymon Crabb]]
|3–6, 6–1, 4–6
|-
|style="background:#98fb98;"|Win
|<small>2–1</small>
|{{dts|Oct 2001}}
|style="background:#cffcff;"|Jamaica F1-A, [[Montego Bay]]
|style="background:#cffcff;"|Futures
|Hard
|{{flagicon|FRA}} Julien Cassaigne
|3–6, 6–1, 6–0
|-
|style="background:#98fb98;"|Win
|<small>3–1</small>
|{{dts|Oct 2001}}
|style="background:#cffcff;"|Jamaica F1, [[Negril]]
|style="background:#cffcff;"|Futures
|Hard
|{{flagicon|NZL}} [[Daniel Willman]]
|7–6<sup>(7–4)</sup>, 6–3
|-
|style="background:#98fb98;"|Win
|<small>4–1</small>
|{{dts|Dec 2001}}
|style="background:#cffcff;"|USA F28, [[Laguna Niguel, California|Laguna Niguel]]
|style="background:#cffcff;"|Futures
|Hard
|{{flagicon|IRL}} [[John Doran (tennis)|John Doran]]
|7–6<sup>(7–3)</sup>, 6–2
|-
|style="background:#98fb98;"|Win
|<small>5–1</small>
|{{dts|Feb 2002}}
|style="background:#cffcff;"|USA F4, [[Brownsville, Texas|Brownsville]]
|style="background:#cffcff;"|Futures
|Hard
|{{flagicon|ARG}} [[Nicolas Todero]]
|6–3, 7–6<sup>(7–5)</sup>
|-
|style="background:#98fb98;"|Win
|<small>6–1</small>
|{{dts|Mar 2002}}
|style="background:moccasin;"|[[Hamilton, New Zealand|Hamilton]], New Zealand
|style="background:moccasin;"|Challenger
|Hard
|{{flagicon|RSA}} [[Louis Vosloo]]
|6–2, 5–7, 6–4
|-
|style="background:#ffa07a;"|Loss
|<small>6–2</small>
|{{dts|Apr 2002}}
|style="background:moccasin;"|[[Tarzana, Los Angeles|Tarzana]], United States
|style="background:moccasin;"|Challenger
|Hard
|{{flagicon|PHI}} [[Eric Taino]]
|2–6, 6–7<sup>(6–8)</sup>
|-
|style="background:#98fb98;"|Win
|<small>7–2</small>
|{{dts|Jun 2002}}
|style="background:moccasin;"|[[Tallahassee Tennis Challenger|Tallahassee]], United States
|style="background:moccasin;"|Challenger
|Hard
|{{flagicon|USA}} [[Justin Gimelstob]]
|7–6<sup>(7–5)</sup>, 6–4
|-
|style="background:#98fb98;"|Win
|<small>8–2</small>
|{{dts|Jul 2002}}
|style="background:moccasin;"|[[Nordic Naturals Challenger|Aptos]], United States
|style="background:moccasin;"|Challenger
|Hard
|{{flagicon|ISR}} [[Noam Behr]]
|2–6, 6–3, 6–2
|-
|style="background:#ffa07a;"|Loss
|<small>8–3</small>
|{{dts|Nov 2003}}
|style="background:moccasin;"|[[Champaign–Urbana Challenger|Champaign-Urbana]], United States
|style="background:moccasin;"|Challenger
|Hard
|{{flagicon|USA}} [[Paul Goldstein (tennis)|Paul Goldstein]]
|3–6, 1–6
|-
|style="background:#ffa07a;"|Loss
|<small>8–4</small>
|{{dts|Oct 2004}}
|style="background:moccasin;"|[[College Station, Texas|College Station]], United States
|style="background:moccasin;"|Challenger
|Hard
|{{flagicon|BRA}} [[Andre Sa]]
|3–6, 0–6
|-
|style="background:#98fb98;"|Win
|<small>9–4</small>
|{{dts|Apr 2005}}
|style="background:moccasin;"|[[Tallahassee Tennis Challenger|Tallahassee]], United States
|style="background:moccasin;"|Challenger
|Hard
|{{flagicon|USA}} [[Justin Gimelstob]]
|6–4, 6–0
|-
|style="background:#ffa07a;"|Loss
|<small>9–5</small>
|{{dts|Aug 2005}}
|style="background:moccasin;"|[[GHI Bronx Tennis Classic|Bronx]], United States
|style="background:moccasin;"|Challenger
|Hard
|{{flagicon|FRA}} [[Thierry Ascione]]
|2–6, 3–6
|-
|style="background:#98fb98;"|Win
|<small>10–5</small>
|{{dts|Oct 2005}}
|style="background:moccasin;"|[[Calabasas Pro Tennis Championships|Calabasas]], United States
|style="background:moccasin;"|Challenger
|Hard
|{{flagicon|GER}} [[Denis Gremelmayr]]
|3–6, 6–2, 6–2
|}

===Doubles: 7 (3–4)===
{|
|-valign=top
|
{|class=wikitable style=font-size:97%
!Legend
|-bgcolor=moccasin
|ATP Challenger (3–4)
|-bgcolor=cffcff
|ITF Futures (0–0)
|}
|
{|class=wikitable style=font-size:97%
!Finals by surface
|-
|Hard (3–3)
|-
|Clay (0–1)
|-
|Grass (0–0)
|-
|Carpet (0–0)
|}
|}

{|class="sortable wikitable"
!Result
!class="unsortable"|W–L
!Date
!Tournament
!Tier
!Surface
!Partner
!Opponents
!class="unsortable"|Score
|-
|style="background:#ffa07a;"|Loss
|<small>0–1</small>
|{{dts|Feb 2002}}
|style="background:moccasin;"|[[RBC Tennis Championships of Dallas|Dallas]], United States
|style="background:moccasin;"|Challenger
|Hard
|{{flagicon|USA}} [[Huntley Montgomery]]
|{{flagicon|ITA}} [[Giorgio Galimberti]] <br> {{flagicon|CAN}} [[Frederic Niemeyer]]
|6–7<sup>(1–7)</sup>, 4–6
|-
|style="background:#ffa07a;"|Loss
|<small>0–2</small>
|{{dts|May 2002}}
|style="background:moccasin;"|[[Rocky Mount, North Carolina|Rocky Mount]], United States
|style="background:moccasin;"|Challenger
|Clay
|{{flagicon|USA}} [[Huntley Montgomery]]
|{{flagicon|BAH}} [[Mark Merklein]] <br> {{flagicon|PHI}} [[Eric Taino]]
|3–6, 4–6
|-
|style="background:#ffa07a;"|Loss
|<small>0–3</small>
|{{dts|Jun 2002}}
|style="background:moccasin;"|[[Tallahassee Tennis Challenger|Tallahassee]], United States
|style="background:moccasin;"|Challenger
|Hard
|{{flagicon|USA}} [[Huntley Montgomery]]
|{{flagicon|USA}} [[Levar Harper-Griffith]] <br> {{flagicon|USA}} [[Jeff Williams (tennis)|Jeff Williams]]
|3–6, 6–4, 4–6
|-
|style="background:#98fb98;"|Win
|<small>1–3</small>
|{{dts|Feb 2004}}
|style="background:moccasin;"|[[Hilton Waikoloa Village USTA Challenger|Waikoloa]], United States
|style="background:moccasin;"|Challenger
|Hard
|{{flagicon|USA}} [[Scott Humphries]]
|{{flagicon|USA}} [[Brandon Coupe]] <br> {{flagicon|USA}} [[Travis Parrott]]
|6–3, 7–6<sup>(7–3)</sup>
|-
|style="background:#98fb98;"|Win
|<small>2–3</small>
|{{dts|Oct 2004}}
|style="background:moccasin;"|[[College Station, Texas|College Station]], United States
|style="background:moccasin;"|Challenger
|Hard
|{{flagicon|USA}} [[Paul Goldstein (tennis)|Paul Goldstein]]
|{{flagicon|BRA}} [[Andre Sa]] <br> {{flagicon|BRA}} [[Bruno Soares]]
|7–5, 2–6, 6–4
|-
|style="background:#ffa07a;"|Loss
|<small>2–4</small>
|{{dts|Oct 2004}}
|style="background:moccasin;"|[[Austin, Texas|Austin]], United States
|style="background:moccasin;"|Challenger
|Hard
|{{flagicon|USA}} [[Robert Kendrick]]
|{{flagicon|BRA}} [[Andre Sa]] <br> {{flagicon|BRA}} [[Bruno Soares]]
|3–6, 1–6
|-
|style="background:#98fb98;"|Win
|<small>3–5</small>
|{{dts|Aug 2005}}
|style="background:moccasin;"|[[GHI Bronx Tennis Classic|Bronx]], United States
|style="background:moccasin;"|Challenger
|Hard
|{{flagicon|PHI}} [[Cecil Mamiit]]
|{{flagicon|FRA}} [[Julien Benneteau]] <br> {{flagicon|FRA}} [[Nicolas Mahut]]
|6–4, 6–4
|}


==References==
==References==
{{reflist}}
{{reflist}}


==External links==
[[Category:1979 births|Vahaly, Brian]]
*{{ATP}}
[[Category:Living people|Vahaly, Brian]]
*{{ITF profile}}
[[Category:American tennis players|Vahaly, Brian]]
*[https://www.nytimes.com/2003/08/22/sports/plus-tennis-us-team-picked-for-the-davis-cup.html TENNIS: U.S. Team Picked For the Davis Cup]
[[Category:People from Camden, New Jersey|Vahaly, Brian]]
*[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gSL2fcVObNo Video: Brian Vahaly on CNN International Sport]
[[Category:People from Capital District, New York|Vahaly, Brian]]
*[http://www.asapsports.com/show_interview.php?id=10947 Pacific Life Open - March 13, 2003]
[[fr:Brian Vahaly]]
*[http://www.dailyprogress.com/sports/ratcliffe-on-vahaly-retires-on-his-own-terms/article_525f98e7-1f2c-5a90-965a-3faeed734334.html RATCLIFFE ON: Vahaly retires on his own terms]
*[http://www.cavalierdaily.com/article/1999/10/vahaly-establishes-unprecedented-mark Vahaly establishes unprecedented mark]
*[https://www.si.com/tennis/2017/05/11/tennis-podcast-brian-vahaly]

{{DEFAULTSORT:Vahaly, Brian}}
[[Category:1979 births]]
[[Category:American male tennis players]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Sportspeople from Camden, New Jersey]]
[[Category:Tennis players from New Jersey]]
[[Category:Virginia Cavaliers men's tennis players]]
[[Category:LGBTQ tennis players]]
[[Category:American gay sportsmen]]
[[Category:21st-century American LGBTQ people]]

Latest revision as of 18:04, 18 November 2024

Brian Vahaly
Country (sports) United States
ResidenceWashington DC. United States
Born (1979-07-19) July 19, 1979 (age 45)
Camden, New Jersey, United States
Height6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)
Turned pro2001
Retired2007
PlaysRight-handed (two-handed backhand)
Prize money$1,975,775
Singles
Career record40-43
Career titles0
Highest rankingNo. 57 (17 March 2003)
Grand Slam singles results
Australian Open2R (2003, 2004)
French Open1R (2003)
Wimbledon2R (2003)
US Open2R (2002, 2003)
Doubles
Career record16–17
Career titles0
Highest rankingNo. 94 (15 September 2003)
Grand Slam doubles results
French Open2R (2003)
Wimbledon1R (2004)
US OpenQ1 (2000)
Mixed doubles
Career record0–1
Career titles0
Grand Slam mixed doubles results
US Open1R (2003)
Last updated on: 29 July 2023.

Brian Vahaly (born July 19, 1979) is an American former professional tennis player and a graduate of University of Virginia.[1] He reached the quarterfinals of the 2003 Indian Wells Masters (defeating world no. 1 Juan Carlos Ferrero en route) and achieved a career-high of world no. 57 in March 2003.

Early career

[edit]

He began playing tennis at the age of two with his parents Barry and Karen. As a junior, Brian Vahaly captured the Easter Bowl 18s title and reached the final of the Coffee Bowl in Costa Rica in 1997. His best junior Grand Slam result was reaching the quarterfinal at Wimbledon that same year, where he finished 17th in the world junior rankings.

Vahaly proceeded to play four years of collegiate tennis at the University of Virginia from 1998 to 2001, where he was a three-time All-American and finished as the school's most successful player.[1] In 2000, he won the United States Amateur Championships (Men's Tennis). In 2001, Vahaly reached the singles final at the NCAA Championships, and lost in the doubles semifinal with Huntley Montgomery, but finished as the no. 1 player in doubles and no. 5 in singles (40-6).

Vahaly became UVA's first tennis All-American in 1999 and during the previous season was named the Atlantic Coast Conference Rookie of Year. In his last two seasons, he was a two-time ACC Player of Year, and as a senior, he was named the University of Virginia Male Athlete of Year. He graduated with two majors in Finance and Business Management, and finished his career at Virginia as an Academic All-American. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame of University of Virginia Men's Tennis.

Professional career

[edit]

In 2002, Vahaly enjoyed a breakthrough season on the ATP circuit, advancing to the semifinals of Memphis (falling to Andy Roddick) and the quarterfinals of Indian Wells. He defeated three top 10 ranked players Fernando González, (2003 French Open Champion and former world no. 1) Juan Carlos Ferrero, and Tommy Robredo at Indian Wells and later teamed with Andy Roddick in Washington, D.C., to defeat the no. 1 ranked doubles team of Bob and Mike Bryan. During the year he also posted wins over Michael Chang and Vince Spadea. Vahaly was the only college graduate in the top 100 in the world and was recognized by People magazine in its issue of the 25 Hottest Bachelors. In March 2003, he reached his career high singles ranking of world no. 57.

In 2004-2007, Vahaly spent most of the year on the ATP circuit playing events in Indianapolis, Los Angeles, Newport, Houston, Indian Wells, San Jose, Adelaide, and the Australian Open (losing to finalist Marat Safin).

Vahaly played his last tournament at the U.S. Open losing to Juan Martín del Potro. After the tournament, Vahaly revealed that the shoulder injury had plagued him for some time. On September 7, 2007, Brian underwent surgery to repair several tears to his right rotator cuff. He had two additional surgeries later that year.

Retirement

[edit]

In November 2007, Vahaly announced his retirement from professional tennis on his website. He had three shoulder surgeries from 2006 to 2007. He moved to Washington, D.C., to work for a private equity fund. In 2013, Vahaly began serving on the USTA board of directors and then became the chief operating officer at two different venture capital firms, Venturehouse Group and NextGen Venture Partners.[2] Vahaly has distinguished himself as a respected chief executive with a track record of success in operational turnarounds, driving growth and improving profitability for private equity-backed, early-stage companies in the health and wellness sector. Vahaly has recently elected to serve as the Chairman of the Board and President of the USTA and US Open for the 2025-2026 term.

Personal life

[edit]

Vahaly came out as gay in 2017 in a podcast.[3] He is married to Bill Jones, with whom he is raising two twin boys.[4] He is one of very few out male professional tennis players, and the first gay man to publicly come out after playing on the ATP Tour.[5]

ATP Challenger and ITF Futures finals

[edit]

Singles: 15 (10–5)

[edit]
Legend
ATP Challenger (5–4)
ITF Futures (5–1)
Finals by surface
Hard (9–4)
Clay (1–1)
Grass (0–0)
Carpet (0–0)
Result W–L Date Tournament Tier Surface Opponent Score
Win 1–0 Jul 2001 USA F17-A, Quogue Futures Clay Germany Bjorn Jacob 5–7, 6–3, 6–2
Loss 1–1 Jul 2001 USA F17-B, Pittsburgh Futures Clay Australia Jaymon Crabb 3–6, 6–1, 4–6
Win 2–1 Oct 2001 Jamaica F1-A, Montego Bay Futures Hard France Julien Cassaigne 3–6, 6–1, 6–0
Win 3–1 Oct 2001 Jamaica F1, Negril Futures Hard New Zealand Daniel Willman 7–6(7–4), 6–3
Win 4–1 Dec 2001 USA F28, Laguna Niguel Futures Hard Republic of Ireland John Doran 7–6(7–3), 6–2
Win 5–1 Feb 2002 USA F4, Brownsville Futures Hard Argentina Nicolas Todero 6–3, 7–6(7–5)
Win 6–1 Mar 2002 Hamilton, New Zealand Challenger Hard South Africa Louis Vosloo 6–2, 5–7, 6–4
Loss 6–2 Apr 2002 Tarzana, United States Challenger Hard Philippines Eric Taino 2–6, 6–7(6–8)
Win 7–2 Jun 2002 Tallahassee, United States Challenger Hard United States Justin Gimelstob 7–6(7–5), 6–4
Win 8–2 Jul 2002 Aptos, United States Challenger Hard Israel Noam Behr 2–6, 6–3, 6–2
Loss 8–3 Nov 2003 Champaign-Urbana, United States Challenger Hard United States Paul Goldstein 3–6, 1–6
Loss 8–4 Oct 2004 College Station, United States Challenger Hard Brazil Andre Sa 3–6, 0–6
Win 9–4 Apr 2005 Tallahassee, United States Challenger Hard United States Justin Gimelstob 6–4, 6–0
Loss 9–5 Aug 2005 Bronx, United States Challenger Hard France Thierry Ascione 2–6, 3–6
Win 10–5 Oct 2005 Calabasas, United States Challenger Hard Germany Denis Gremelmayr 3–6, 6–2, 6–2

Doubles: 7 (3–4)

[edit]
Legend
ATP Challenger (3–4)
ITF Futures (0–0)
Finals by surface
Hard (3–3)
Clay (0–1)
Grass (0–0)
Carpet (0–0)
Result W–L Date Tournament Tier Surface Partner Opponents Score
Loss 0–1 Feb 2002 Dallas, United States Challenger Hard United States Huntley Montgomery Italy Giorgio Galimberti
Canada Frederic Niemeyer 		6–7(1–7), 4–6
Loss 0–2 May 2002 Rocky Mount, United States Challenger Clay United States Huntley Montgomery The Bahamas Mark Merklein
Philippines Eric Taino 		3–6, 4–6
Loss 0–3 Jun 2002 Tallahassee, United States Challenger Hard United States Huntley Montgomery United States Levar Harper-Griffith
United States Jeff Williams 		3–6, 6–4, 4–6
Win 1–3 Feb 2004 Waikoloa, United States Challenger Hard United States Scott Humphries United States Brandon Coupe
United States Travis Parrott 		6–3, 7–6(7–3)
Win 2–3 Oct 2004 College Station, United States Challenger Hard United States Paul Goldstein Brazil Andre Sa
Brazil Bruno Soares 		7–5, 2–6, 6–4
Loss 2–4 Oct 2004 Austin, United States Challenger Hard United States Robert Kendrick Brazil Andre Sa
Brazil Bruno Soares 		3–6, 1–6
Win 3–5 Aug 2005 Bronx, United States Challenger Hard Philippines Cecil Mamiit France Julien Benneteau
France Nicolas Mahut 		6–4, 6–4

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b Vahaly retires on his own terms
  2. ^ "Brian Vahaly, NextGen Venture Partners: Profile and Biography". Bloomberg.com. Retrieved May 6, 2021.
  3. ^ Addicott, Adam (June 25, 2021). "EXCLUSIVE: Brian Vahaly on coming to terms with his sexuality, dealing with hate and making tennis inclusive". UBITENNIS. Retrieved December 7, 2022.
  4. ^ Buzinski, Jim (May 12, 2017). "Former pro tennis player Brian Vahaly talks about being gay, his husband and being a dad". Outsports. Retrieved December 7, 2022.
  5. ^ "Brian Vahaly: 'I Don't Want Kids To Fear' | ATP Tour | Tennis". ATP Tour. Retrieved December 7, 2022.
[edit]
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/enwiki/w/index.php?title=Brian_Vahaly&oldid=1258201098"