Raymond Owen "Ray" Ruffels (born 23 March 1946)[1] is an Australian former professional tennis player and coach.
 AIS Head Tennis Coach Ray Ruffels in 1981 | |
| Full name | Raymond Owen Ruffels |
|---|---|
| Country (sports) |  Australia |
| Born | 23 March 1946 Sydney, Australia |
| Turned pro | 1968 (amateur from 1964) |
| Retired | 1980 |
| Plays | Left-handed (one-handed backhand) |
| Singles | |
| Career record | 452-316 |
| Career titles | 13 |
| Highest ranking | No. 27 (12 December 1976) |
| Grand Slam singles results | |
| Australian Open | SF (1968, 1969, 1976) |
| French Open | 4R (1968) |
| Wimbledon | QF (1967) |
| US Open | 4R (1966) |
| Doubles | |
| Career record | 219–137 |
| Career titles | 16 |
| Grand Slam doubles results | |
| Australian Open | W (1977) |
| Mixed doubles | |
| Grand Slam mixed doubles results | |
| Wimbledon | F (1978) |
| US Open | F (1978) |
Playing career edit
Ruffels was an Australian Open semi-finalist in 1968, 1969 and 1975, and a quarter-finalist in 1970 and 1977. In 1978, partnering with Billie Jean King in mixed doubles competition, Ruffels reached the final at Wimbledon and the US Open.
He was a member of the Australian Davis Cup team in 1968, 1969, 1970, and 1977.[1]
Career finals edit
Doubles (16 titles, 7 runner-ups) edit
| Result | W–L | Date | Tournament | Surface | Partner | Opponents | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Win | 1–0 | 1970 | Merion, US | Hard | Bill Bowrey
|
 Jim McManus Jim Osborne
|
3–6, 6–2, 7–5 |
| Win | 2–0 | 1970 | Phoenix, US | Hard | Dick Crealy
|
 Jan Kodeš Charlie Pasarell
|
7–6, 6–3 |
| Win | 3–0 | 1970 | Buenos Aires, Argentina | Clay | Bob Carmichael
|
 Željko Franulović Jan Kodeš
|
7–5, 6–2, 5–7, 6–7, 6–3 |
| Win | 4–0 | 1971 | Auckland, New Zealand | Grass | Bob Carmichael
|
 Brian Fairlie  Raymond Moore
|
6–3, 6–7, 6–4, 4–6, 6–3 |
| Loss | 4–1 | 1971 | Tehran WCT, Iran | Clay | Bob Carmichael
|
John Newcombe Tony Roche
|
4–6, 7–6, 1–6 |
| Loss | 4–2 | 1971 | Washington WCT, US | Clay | Bob Carmichael
|
 Tom Okker Marty Riessen
|
6–7, 2–6 |
| Win | 5–2 | 1972 | Toronto WCT, Canada | Carpet | Bob Carmichael
|
Roy Emerson Rod Laver
|
6–4, 4–6, 6–4 |
| Win | 6–2 | 1972 | Quebec WCT, Canada | Indoor | Bob Carmichael
|
John Alexander Terry Addison
|
4–6, 6–3, 7–5 |
| Loss | 6–3 | 1974 | Christchurch, New Zealand | Syd Ball
|
 Ismail El Shafei Roscoe Tanner
|
W/O | |
| Win | 7–3 | 1975 | Auckland, New Zealand | Grass | Bob Carmichael
|
Brian Fairlie Onny Parun
|
7–6, RET. |
| Win | 8–3 | 1975 | Baltimore WCT, US | Carpet | Dick Crealy
|
Ismail El Shafei Frew McMillan
|
6–4, 6–3 |
| Win | 9–3 | 1975 | Dayton Indoor, US | Carpet | Allan Stone
|
Paul Gerken Brian Gottfried
|
7–6, 7–5 |
| Loss | 9–4 | 1975 | Orlando WCT, US | Hard | Colin Dibley
|
Brian Gottfried  Raúl Ramírez
|
4–6, 4–6 |
| Win | 10–4 | 1975 | St. Louis, US | Clay | Colin Dibley
|
Ross Case Geoff Masters
|
6–4, 6–4 |
| Win | 11–4 | 1976 | Dayton, US | Carpet | Sherwood Stewart
|
 Jaime Fillol Charlie Pasarell
|
6–2, 3–6, 7–5 |
| Win | 12–4 | 1976 | Little Rock, US | Carpet | Syd Ball
|
 Giuliano Pecci  Haroon Rahim
|
6–3, 6–7, 6–3 |
| Win | 13–4 | 1976 | Boston, US | Clay | Allan Stone
|
Mike Cahill John Whitlinger
|
3–6, 6–3, 7–6 |
| Loss | 13–5 | 1976 | Bermuda | Clay | Dick Crealy
|
Mike Cahill John Whitlinger
|
4–6, 6–4, 6–7 |
| Win | 14–5 | 1976 | Bangalore, India | Clay | Bob Carmichael
|
 Chiradip Mukerjea Bhanu Nunna
|
6–2, 7–6 |
| Loss | 14–6 | 1977 | La Costa WCT, US | Hard | Allan Stone
|
Bob Hewitt Frew McMillan
|
4–6, 2–6 |
| Win | 15–6 | 1977 | Perth, Australia | Hard | Allan Stone
|
Nick Saviano John Whitlinger
|
6–2, 6–1 |
| Loss | 15–7 | 1977 | Sydney Outdoor, Australia | Grass | Allan Stone
|
John Alexander Phil Dent
|
6–7, 6–2, 3–6 |
| Win | 16–7 | 1977 | Australian Open-2, Melbourne | Grass | Allan Stone
|
John Alexander Phil Dent
|
7–6, 7–6 |
Coaching career edit
Ruffels was appointed the inaugural Head Coach of the Australian Institute of Sport (AIS) tennis program in 1981. He held this position until his retirement in January 1990.[2] Whilst at the AIS, Ruffels coached many young players that would have successful professional careers including: Pat Cash, Wally Masur, Darren Cahill, Todd Woodbridge, Richard Fromberg, Simon Youl and Johan Anderson.[3] After leaving the AIS, he coached Todd Woodbridge and Mark Woodforde, who as a doubles team won many major titles including the gold medal at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics.[4]
In 2009, he returned to Australia to work at the AIS after being a national coach for the United States Tennis Association player development program in California.[5]
In November 2016, he was awarded The President's Spirit of Tennis by Tennis Australia.
Personal edit
Ruffels married professional tennis player Anna-Maria Fernandez and they have two children, Ryan and Gabriela; both have taken up golf as a career.[6][7]
References edit
- ^ a b "Ray Ruffels". Tennis Australia. Retrieved 21 January 2023.
- ^ Australian Sports Commission. Annual report 1989-1990 (PDF).
- ^ "Tennis at the Australian Institute of Sport". Australian Web Archive. Archived from the original on 19 January 2000. Retrieved 27 September 2017.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link) - ^ "Ray Ruffels wins The President's Spirit of Tennis Award". Tennis Australia website. Retrieved 27 September 2017.
- ^ "Ruffels returns to coach Aussie youngsters". Australia: ABC News. 24 July 2009. Retrieved 27 September 2017.
- ^ "The Inside Story: Ryan Ruffels". Golf Australia website. Retrieved 27 September 2017.
- ^ "Little sister steals limelight". Golf Australia website. Retrieved 27 September 2017.
