Former Pilot and all-America tennis star, Travis Parrott is ranked ahead of Andy Roddick and Tim Henman on the ATP tour doubles list. Maybe this doesn't sound too impressive, since Roddick and Henman are mainly known for their singles exploits, but consider that Parrott, currently ranked No. 91, is also ranked ahead of Rick Leach, who is considered by some experts to be one of the greatest doubles players of all time. Parrott also boasts a win over the legend coming this summer in an event in Los Angeles, in which Parrott ended up winning with his partner, Jan-Michael Gambill.
Parrott's rise has been meteoric. Since finishing at UP in 2002, he has climbed over 1,000 ranking spots to his current standing. He has traveled the world from Finland to Saudi Arabia and almost everywhere in between.
“It has been an incredible two years,” said Travis Parrott. “I have seen the world and I have been on the same court with players I used to watch on television. The great thing is that I have a strong belief that I can beat them.”
That belief comes from the fact, that when it comes to doubles, Parrott is a 24-year-old prodigy. He is one of only two former collegiate players to finish college in 2002 and become ranked in the top 100 in either singles or doubles.
“I wasn't aware of that fact,” notes Parrott. “But that is special. Some people thought I was crazy when I transferred from Georgia to UP. I guess that it looks like I made the right decision based on that stat.”
Parrott's goal is to eventually be in the Top-10 worldwide, and have a long and prosperous career on the tour.
“I know that I can move up,” said Parrott. “I have gone through some rough times getting to this point. The circuit isn't all that glamorous when you are coming up through the minor leagues. Now I am in a position that I can play tour events and it has been awesome. You stay in the nicest hotels, people drive you in luxury cars wherever you want to go, you have new balls given to you at every practice session, and you are on the courts with the best players in the world. Believe me, it hasn't necessarily been like that for the last few years."
Parrott still uses Portland as his home base in between tournaments. He estimates he spends 8-10 weeks a year in Portland training with University of Portland men’s head tennis coach Aaron Gross.
“I love Portland, and it is really important for me to have Aaron help me fine-tune my game up from time to time,” comments Parrott. “He knows my game better then anyone. He is the reason I transferred to UP in the first place.
“The year I spent in Portland was so crucial for my development,” notes Parrott. “I worked on developing my game every single day without the fear of losing. I felt that at times when I was playing for Georgia. I really enjoyed the whole University of Portland experience, from the tennis program, to its social activities. Academically, I’ve learned a lot from some great professors.”
At the Louisiana-Pacific Tennis Center there is a banner in honor of Parrott for his 2002 all-American status. Could a Grand Slam banner be the next to hang?
“That is definitely something I have thought about,” chuckled Parrott. “It used to seem like a dream. But more and more it is feeling like a possibility.”
