Completed Event: Men's Tennis versus #21 University of Southern California on May 1, 2026 , Loss , 2, to, 4
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Final
Men's Tennis
2
vs #21 University of Southern California
4
Photo by: Duke Athletics
Pura Promoted to Associate Head Men’s Tennis Coach
7/20/2026 9:49:00 AM | Men's Tennis
DURHAM, N.C. – Duke men's tennis head coach Ramsey Smith announced Monday the promotion of assistant coach TJ Pura to associate head coach effective immediately.
"It is a tremendous honor to receive this promotion to associate head coach," Pura said. "Being part of Duke men's tennis as a player and coach has been the privilege of a lifetime. I relish, and take immense pride, in giving 100 percent to our student-athletes so they can unlock their full potential as tennis players, students and human beings. I will do anything to see Duke succeed and am very excited about our program's trajectory."
Entering his fourth season (2022-23, 2024-25 & 2025-26) on the Blue Devil staff, Pura has helped lead Duke to three NCAA Championship trips, an ACC Championship final, quarterfinal and semifinal appearance, 56 victories, 26 ACC wins and 30 triumphs against ranked opponents.
"I am very happy for TJ to receive this well-deserved promotion," Smith said. "TJ's energy, passion and relentless drive set him apart. I feel fortunate to work alongside him every day and witness firsthand the impact he has on everyone around him. TJ has a remarkable ability to bring out the best in our student-athletes. I appreciate his genuine investment in each player's growth and his constant willingness to go the extra mile."
Pura has played a key role in helping the doubles pair of Cooper Williams and Theo Winegar to All-America accolades in 2025, while Williams and Pedro Rodenas were First Team All-ACC selections in doubles in 2026. As a volunteer assistant during the 2022-23 campaign, Pura worked with Rodenas as he earned ACC Rookie of the Year, ITA Carolina Region Rookie of the Year and doubles and singles All-America accolades. Pura's assistance that season also helped Garrett Johns to First Team All-ACC and All-America honors in doubles and singles. In addition, Duke has earned 21 All-ACC Academic Team selections with Pura on staff.
"TJ plays a critical role in every aspect of our program," Smith added. "He has been particularly exceptional on the recruiting front. Momentum is building and the future is very bright for TJ and our program."
"I want to thank head coach Ramsey Smith for the opportunity, continued guidance and strong leadership," Pura said. "He is a joy to work with. I'd also like to thank the players I've been fortunate enough to work with. They make me better every day. We are more committed than ever to seeing this program reach new heights by providing our student-athletes with the best experience and holistic development possible. Go Duke!"
Pura was a member of the Duke program from 2013-17 and earned Third Team All-ACC honors in 2017. The two-time team captain graduated sixth in program history with 30 career ACC singles wins and tied for seventh in most career ACC singles matches played with 41. Pura also ended his career tied for first in single-season ACC singles wins (11) and singles winning percentage (1.000; 11-0) during his senior year. In addition, he compiled the longest single-season ACC winning streak in program history when he went 11-0 during a stretch in 2016-17. For those efforts, Pura was named the 2017 Intercollegiate Tennis Association's Carolina Region Most Improved Senior and recipient of the team's first annual Robert C. Taylor Leadership Award.
Pura graduated from Duke in 2017 with a degree in computer science and history with a certification in innovation and entrepreneurship.
#GoDuke
"It is a tremendous honor to receive this promotion to associate head coach," Pura said. "Being part of Duke men's tennis as a player and coach has been the privilege of a lifetime. I relish, and take immense pride, in giving 100 percent to our student-athletes so they can unlock their full potential as tennis players, students and human beings. I will do anything to see Duke succeed and am very excited about our program's trajectory."
Entering his fourth season (2022-23, 2024-25 & 2025-26) on the Blue Devil staff, Pura has helped lead Duke to three NCAA Championship trips, an ACC Championship final, quarterfinal and semifinal appearance, 56 victories, 26 ACC wins and 30 triumphs against ranked opponents.
"I am very happy for TJ to receive this well-deserved promotion," Smith said. "TJ's energy, passion and relentless drive set him apart. I feel fortunate to work alongside him every day and witness firsthand the impact he has on everyone around him. TJ has a remarkable ability to bring out the best in our student-athletes. I appreciate his genuine investment in each player's growth and his constant willingness to go the extra mile."
Pura has played a key role in helping the doubles pair of Cooper Williams and Theo Winegar to All-America accolades in 2025, while Williams and Pedro Rodenas were First Team All-ACC selections in doubles in 2026. As a volunteer assistant during the 2022-23 campaign, Pura worked with Rodenas as he earned ACC Rookie of the Year, ITA Carolina Region Rookie of the Year and doubles and singles All-America accolades. Pura's assistance that season also helped Garrett Johns to First Team All-ACC and All-America honors in doubles and singles. In addition, Duke has earned 21 All-ACC Academic Team selections with Pura on staff.
"TJ plays a critical role in every aspect of our program," Smith added. "He has been particularly exceptional on the recruiting front. Momentum is building and the future is very bright for TJ and our program."
"I want to thank head coach Ramsey Smith for the opportunity, continued guidance and strong leadership," Pura said. "He is a joy to work with. I'd also like to thank the players I've been fortunate enough to work with. They make me better every day. We are more committed than ever to seeing this program reach new heights by providing our student-athletes with the best experience and holistic development possible. Go Duke!"
Pura was a member of the Duke program from 2013-17 and earned Third Team All-ACC honors in 2017. The two-time team captain graduated sixth in program history with 30 career ACC singles wins and tied for seventh in most career ACC singles matches played with 41. Pura also ended his career tied for first in single-season ACC singles wins (11) and singles winning percentage (1.000; 11-0) during his senior year. In addition, he compiled the longest single-season ACC winning streak in program history when he went 11-0 during a stretch in 2016-17. For those efforts, Pura was named the 2017 Intercollegiate Tennis Association's Carolina Region Most Improved Senior and recipient of the team's first annual Robert C. Taylor Leadership Award.
Pura graduated from Duke in 2017 with a degree in computer science and history with a certification in innovation and entrepreneurship.
#GoDuke
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