Mariana Hurtado is an ASU Cronkite School of Journalism student assigned to cover Notre Dame Prep for AZPrep365.com

The Notre Dame Prep Saints welcomed a new girls tennis coach, mixed doubles Wimbledon winner John Austin, ahead of the 2024 season. 

Austin grew up in Southern California and attended UCLA where he was the NCAA doubles champion in his junior year. After that, he went on to the ATP Tour for almost six years where he was ranked No. 40 in singles.

In 1980, he and his sister Tracy Austin became the first mixed-doubles team to win Wimbledon. Four years later, he retired from the tour and became the director of tennis facilities in the country like the Seth Korey Tennis Academy.

During his career, he had the opportunity to coach many professional tour players like Pete Sampras, Michael Chang, Amy Frazier and Alexandra Stevenson.

“I have a deep passion for tennis and love coaching, teaching, and programming for tennis,” Austin said. “I think tennis is a wonderful life-enhancing sport for all. I want the players to get bit by tennis and fall in love with the sport and play for the rest of their lives no matter what level they achieve.”

Austin is currently semi-retired but wanted to continue his path in the sport, leading him to take the position with the Saints. 

“This is my first time coaching a school team it has been a pleasure working with the team. The players have been delightful, which has made it fun,” he said.

With this being Austin's first season with the Saints his expectations coming in were big.

“Coming into the season not knowing very much about the program, I was coming in with open eyes and taking it as it came. I want all of our players to compete to the best of their ability and if they do that, winning and losing will take care of themselves,” he said.

“His demeanor, personality, and attitude were as important as his tennis qualifications,” athletic director Mike Mahon said. “ It was apparent that he already had a similar philosophy of his own, and that he wanted what is best for the student-athlete.”

Coaches sometimes feel they are playing on the court through their players, especially if they have been in the sports industry like Austin has since college. 

“Being back in competition is fun and it has been so much fun to see our players competing and giving it their all,” Austin added.

Every school has a set of core values that they look for in every new coach they are looking for, and Notre Dame Prep has them set straight.

“The candidate must be knowledgeable in the sport, but just as important, they must also understand our mission and philosophy. Part of our philosophy states, ‘The Notre Dame Prep Athletic Department believes that education comes first. Athletes must remember that the primary reason for attending Notre Dame Prep is to be part of a first-class, Catholic, educational program. Athletics should never take precedence over education,” Mahon said.

Austin has made sure he implements the mission. 

“On day one, I told the players being on this team is not about me but about us. Your priorities are God first, school second, team third, family fourth, and you last.” 

Austin’s first season is off to a hot start as the Saints won their first five matches.

“I want to impress on the team to compete well with integrity and honesty, and learn to give it your all with no excuses.”