Hubbry Logo
Wayne BlackWayne BlackMain
Open search
Wayne Black
Community hub
Wayne Black
logo
7 pages, 0 posts
0 subscribers
Be the first to start a discussion here.
Be the first to start a discussion here.
Wayne Black
Wayne Black
from Wikipedia

Wayne Hamilton Black (born 17 November 1973) is a tennis coach and a former professional player from Zimbabwe. Black turned professional in 1994 and reached his highest singles ranking of No. 69 on 30 March 1998. He is the son of former player Don Black, the younger brother of fellow ATP Tour player Byron Black, with the pair forming the mainstay of the Zimbabwe Davis Cup team for over a decade. He is coaching Estonian player Mark Lajal since 2024.[1]

Key Information

Black struggled for consistency in his singles game and by the new millennium had converted to a doubles specialist, in which he experienced greater success. He won two men's doubles Grand Slam titles at the 2001 U.S. Open and 2005 Australian Open with compatriot Kevin Ullyett,[2] as well as two Grand Slam mixed doubles titles at the 2002 French Open and 2004 Wimbledon with sister Cara Black.

He reached his career-high doubles ranking of 4 on 31 January 2005, following his second Grand Slam title win, and retired from professional play in 2005.[2]

Early life and education

[edit]

Black and his siblings Byron and Cara were drilled in tennis from a young age by their father; they frequently played at least an hour of tennis before the school day began, another hour after school, followed by a third hour once homework had been completed.

He was educated at St. John's College in Harare and the University of Southern California, but left before completing his degree to go professional.[3]

Personal life

[edit]

Black married Kazakhstani tennis player Irina Selyutina and settled in the United Kingdom following retirement, where both of his children were born.[3] He competed in club tennis for Sutton Tennis & Squash Club for a period of time alongside his former coach Miles Maclagan.[4] Citing a failure to get used to the colder climate of London, he later moved back to his home country and ran a tourist lodge with his wife.[3]

Career finals

[edit]

Doubles (18 titles, 15 runner-ups)

[edit]
Legend
Grand Slam (2–1)
Tennis Masters Cup (0–1)
ATP Masters Series (5–6)
ATP International Series Gold (1–2)
ATP Tour (10–5)
Titles by surface
Hard (14–11)
Clay (2–2)
Grass (1–0)
Carpet (1–2)
Result No. Date Tournament Surface Partner Opponents Score
Loss 1. 25 May 1998 St. Poelten, Austria Clay South Africa David Adams United States Jim Grabb
Australia David Macpherson
4–6, 4–6
Win 1. 15 February 1999 Dubai, UAE Hard Australia Sandon Stolle South Africa David Adams
South Africa John-Laffnie de Jager
4–6, 6–1, 6–4
Win 2. 15 March 1999 Indian Wells, United States Hard Australia Sandon Stolle South Africa Ellis Ferreira
United States Rick Leach
7–6(7–4), 6–3
Win 3. 29 March 1999 Miami, United States Hard Australia Sandon Stolle Germany Boris Becker
United States Jan-Michael Gambill
6–1, 6–1
Loss 2. 12 April 1999 Chennai, India Hard South Africa Neville Godwin India Mahesh Bhupathi
India Leander Paes
6–4, 5–7, 4–6
Loss 3. 19 April 1999 Tokyo, Japan Hard United States Brian MacPhie United States Jeff Tarango
Czech Republic Daniel Vacek
3–4, RET.
Loss 4. 31 January 2000 Australian Open, Melbourne Hard Australia Andrew Kratzmann South Africa Ellis Ferreira
United States Rick Leach
4–6, 6–3, 3–6, 6–3, 16–18
Win 4. 9 October 2000 Hong Kong Hard Zimbabwe Kevin Ullyett Slovakia Dominik Hrbatý
Germany David Prinosil
6–1, 6–2
Win 5. 8 January 2001 Chennai, India Hard Zimbabwe Byron Black United Kingdom Barry Cowan
Italy Mosé Navarra
6–4, 6–3
Win 6. 19 February 2001 Copenhagen, Denmark Hard (i) Zimbabwe Kevin Ullyett Czech Republic Jiří Novák
Czech Republic David Rikl
6–3, 6–3
Win 7. 9 October 2001 U.S. Open, New York City Hard Zimbabwe Kevin Ullyett United States Donald Johnson
United States Jared Palmer
7–6(11–9), 2–6, 6–3
Win 8. 7 January 2002 Adelaide, Australia Hard Zimbabwe Kevin Ullyett United States Bob Bryan
United States Mike Bryan
7–5, 6–2
Win 9. 4 March 2002 San Jose, United States Hard (i) Zimbabwe Kevin Ullyett South Africa John-Laffnie de Jager
South Africa Robbie Koenig
6–3, 4–6, [10–5]
Loss 5. 13 May 2002 Rome, Italy Clay Zimbabwe Kevin Ullyett Czech Republic Martin Damm
Czech Republic Cyril Suk
5–7, 5–7
Win 10. 17 June 2002 London/Queen's Club, England Grass Zimbabwe Kevin Ullyett India Mahesh Bhupathi
Belarus Max Mirnyi
7–5, 6–3
Win 11. 19 August 2002 Washington, D.C., United States Hard Zimbabwe Kevin Ullyett United States Bob Bryan
United States Mike Bryan
3–6, 6–3, 7–5
Win 12. 14 October 2002 Lyon, France Carpet Zimbabwe Kevin Ullyett The Bahamas Mark Knowles
Canada Daniel Nestor
6–4, 3–6, 7–6(7–3)
Win 13. 28 October 2002 Stockholm, Sweden Hard (i) Zimbabwe Kevin Ullyett Australia Wayne Arthurs
Australia Paul Hanley
6–4, 2–6, 7–6(7–4)
Loss 6. 3 March 2003 Dubai, UAE Hard Zimbabwe Kevin Ullyett India Leander Paes
Czech Republic David Rikl
3–6, 0–6
Win 14. 5 May 2003 Munich, Germany Clay Zimbabwe Kevin Ullyett Australia Joshua Eagle
United States Jared Palmer
6–3, 7–5
Loss 7. 6 October 2003 Moscow, Russia Carpet Zimbabwe Kevin Ullyett India Mahesh Bhupathi
Belarus Max Mirnyi
3–6, 5–7
Loss 8. 20 October 2003 Madrid, Spain Hard (i) Zimbabwe Kevin Ullyett India Mahesh Bhupathi
Belarus Max Mirnyi
2–6, 6–2, 3–6
Loss 9. 22 March 2004 Indian Wells, United States Hard Zimbabwe Kevin Ullyett France Arnaud Clément
France Sébastien Grosjean
3–6, 6–4, 5–7
Win 15. 5 April 2004 Miami, United States Hard Zimbabwe Kevin Ullyett Sweden Jonas Björkman
Australia Todd Woodbridge
6–2, 7–6(14–12)
Win 16. 17 May 2004 Hamburg, Germany Clay Zimbabwe Kevin Ullyett United States Bob Bryan
United States Mike Bryan
6–4, 6–2
Loss 10. 26 July 2004 Indianapolis, United States Hard Zimbabwe Kevin Ullyett Australia Jordan Kerr
United States Jim Thomas
7–6(9–7), 6–7(3–7), 3–6
Loss 11. 8 November 2004 Paris, France Carpet Zimbabwe Kevin Ullyett Sweden Jonas Björkman
Australia Todd Woodbridge
3–6, 4–6
Loss 12. 22 November 2004 Tennis Masters Cup, Houston Hard Zimbabwe Kevin Ullyett United States Bob Bryan
United States Mike Bryan
6–4, 5–7, 4–6, 2–6
Win 17. 31 January 2005 Australian Open, Melbourne Hard Zimbabwe Kevin Ullyett United States Bob Bryan
United States Mike Bryan
6–4, 6–4
Loss 13. 4 April 2005 Miami, United States Hard Zimbabwe Kevin Ullyett Sweden Jonas Björkman
Belarus Max Mirnyi
1–6, 2–6
Loss 14. 8 August 2005 Washington, D.C., United States Hard Zimbabwe Kevin Ullyett United States Bob Bryan
United States Mike Bryan
4–6, 2–6
Win 18. 15 August 2005 Montreal, Canada Hard Zimbabwe Kevin Ullyett Israel Jonathan Erlich
Israel Andy Ram
6–7(5–7), 6–3, 6–0
Loss 15. 22 August 2005 Cincinnati, United States Hard Zimbabwe Kevin Ullyett Sweden Jonas Björkman
Belarus Max Mirnyi
6–7(3–7), 2–6

Doubles performance timeline

[edit]
Key
W  F  SF QF #R RR Q# DNQ A NH
(W) winner; (F) finalist; (SF) semifinalist; (QF) quarterfinalist; (#R) rounds 4, 3, 2, 1; (RR) round-robin stage; (Q#) qualification round; (DNQ) did not qualify; (A) absent; (NH) not held; (SR) strike rate (events won / competed); (W–L) win–loss record.
Tournament 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 Career SR Career win–loss
Grand Slam tournaments
Australian Open A A A A 1R A 2R 3R F QF QF 3R QF W A 1 / 9 25–8
French Open A A A A 1R 3R 3R 3R 2R 3R 3R 2R QF 1R A 0 / 10 15–10
Wimbledon A A A A 1R SF SF QF 1R 1R 2R 3R QF SF 1R 0 / 11 21–11
U.S. Open A A A A A SF 1R QF 1R W QF 3R QF SF A 1 / 9 25–8
Grand Slam SR 0 / 0 0 / 0 0 / 0 0 / 0 0 / 3 0 / 3 0 / 4 0 / 4 0 / 4 1 / 4 0 / 4 0 / 4 0 / 4 1 / 4 0 / 1 2 / 39 N/A
Annual win–loss 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–3 10–3 7–4 10–4 6–4 11–3 9–4 7–4 12–4 14–3 0–1 0–0 86–37
Masters Series
Indian Wells A A 1R A A A 1R W 2R 1R QF A F QF A 1 / 8 14–7
Miami A A A A A A 3R W 2R 3R 3R 2R W F A 2 / 8 18–6
Monte Carlo A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A 0 / 0 0–0
Rome A A A A A A A 1R 1R 1R F 2R QF 2R A 0 / 7 5–7
Hamburg A A A A A A A A 1R 2R 1R 2R W 2R A 1 / 6 5–5
Canada A A A A A A QF 2R A 2R 2R 1R 2R W A 1 / 7 8–6
Cincinnati A A A 2R A A QF QF 1R 1R 2R 1R 2R F A 0 / 9 8–9
Madrid (Stuttgart) A A A A A 2R A A A 2R 2R F A SF A 0 / 5 6–5
Paris A A A 1R A 1R 1R 2R A SF 2R QF F SF A 0 / 9 8–9
Masters Series SR 0 / 0 0 / 0 0 / 1 0 / 2 0 / 0 0 / 2 0 / 5 2 / 6 0 / 5 0 / 8 0 / 8 0 / 7 2 / 7 1 / 8 0 / 0 5 / 59 N/A
Annual win–loss 0–0 0–0 0–1 1–2 0–0 1–2 5–5 11–4 1–5 5–8 9–8 5–7 17–5 17–7 0–0 0–0 72–54
Year-end ranking 541 1056 302 146 158 38 46 14 42 12 13 23 8 5 576 N/A

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia
from Grokipedia
Wayne Black (born November 14, 1973) is a Zimbabwean former professional tennis player and current coach, renowned for his success in doubles competitions, where he achieved a career-high ranking of world No. 4 in 2005 and secured four Grand Slam titles across men's and mixed doubles events. Born in Harare, Zimbabwe, Black grew up in a tennis-oriented family on his parents' avocado farm, where his father, Don Black, a former player, constructed four grass courts to nurture the family's athletic pursuits. He is the brother of fellow professional tennis players Byron Black, a retired doubles specialist, and Cara Black, a former world No. 1 in doubles who won multiple Grand Slam titles. Black turned professional in 1994 after a standout college career at the , where he earned honors in both singles and doubles in 1993 and 1994, and reached the NCAA singles final in 1994. Primarily a doubles player on the , he amassed 18 doubles titles, including the 2001 US Open with partner Kevin Ullyett and the , also alongside Ullyett. In , Black partnered with his sister Cara to claim the 2002 French Open and the 2004 Wimbledon titles, completing his set of victories at all four major tournaments. He represented in the from 1992 onward, compiling a 46-29 record across 28 ties, with a 27-21 mark in singles. Since retiring from professional play, Black has transitioned into coaching, guiding his sister Cara to additional successes between 2006 and 2009, and later working with players such as Lulu Sun (2022–2023), Miomir Kecmanovic (2023–2024), and (2024). His contributions to Zimbabwean extend through his family's legacy, with all three siblings achieving notable international success in the sport.

Early Life and Education

Family Background

Wayne Hamilton Black was born on 14 November 1973 in , . He grew up in a tennis-oriented family on a 22-acre avocado farm outside the city, where his father, Don Black, played a central role in nurturing athletic talent. Don Black, a former competitive player who reached the third round of Wimbledon in 1953 and 1956 during his amateur career, transitioned into a prominent coach in , training numerous local players and contributing significantly to the development of the country's tennis infrastructure. Black's siblings were also deeply immersed in professional tennis, creating a competitive household environment that emphasized the sport from an early age. His older brother, Byron Black, achieved a career-high singles ranking of No. 22 in April 1996 and became world No. 1 in doubles in 1994. His younger sister, , rose to prominence as a doubles specialist, securing five Grand Slam mixed doubles titles between 2002 and 2010, including victories at the , Wimbledon, US Open, and . The Black family's collective success elevated Zimbabwe's standing in international , with Don's coaching credited for fostering a generation of elite players, including his children, who represented the nation in and Federation Cup competitions. Wayne Black's initial exposure to tennis occurred through rigorous family practices on the four grass courts that Don Black constructed in their backyard, supplemented by sessions at the Highlands Sports Club in . This immersive, familial setting instilled discipline and a passion for the game, laying the foundation for Black's future professional pursuits before he transitioned to formal junior training.

Junior Career and Schooling

Wayne Black attended St. John's College in for his secondary education, where he developed an early interest in amid Zimbabwe's local sports scene. His initial training occurred under the guidance of his father, Don Black, who captained Rhodesia's team in the , at local clubs including the Highlands Sports Club in . In 1991, he attended the Newcombe Tennis Academy in . As a junior, Black represented in international events and achieved notable results in African junior circuits, though his early performances were not standout enough to attract immediate international scholarships. In 1992, at age 18, he joined 's team, contributing to their advancement from the African zone to the Euro-African Group 1 after victories over teams from , , and . Black's family's tennis background, including his siblings Byron and Cara who also pursued professional careers, served as a foundational motivator for his development. He enrolled at the University of Southern California (USC) in 1992 on a full tennis scholarship—the only school to offer him one—and lettered for the Trojans from 1992 to 1994. During his time at USC, Black earned All-American honors in both singles and doubles in 1993 and 1994, helping the team secure NCAA championships those years, though he skipped the 1992 fall season for Davis Cup duties. Influenced by his family's legacy in the sport and his collegiate success, Black left USC without completing his degree and turned professional in 1994 at age 20.

Professional Career

Singles Achievements

Wayne Black turned professional in 1994, embarking on a singles career that spanned over a decade but remained secondary to his doubles endeavors. His overall ATP singles record stood at 78 wins and 103 losses, reflecting consistent but unspectacular performances on the tour. Black never captured an ATP singles title, with his results highlighting occasional breakthroughs amid a challenging progression against top competition. Black achieved his career-high singles ranking of No. 69 on March 30, 1998, a peak that underscored his potential in individual play during the late . His most notable Grand Slam result came at the , where he advanced to the fourth round before falling to 7-6(6), 6-4, 6-4. On grass courts, Black's best showing was a third-round appearance at the , where he was defeated in straight sets by No. 10 seed . Following his career-high ranking in 1998, Black increasingly prioritized doubles, recognizing that his diminutive 5-foot-7 frame and agile playing style were particularly effective in partnership formats. This shift allowed him to conserve energy and leverage complementary strengths with partners, marking a strategic pivot that defined the latter stages of his professional tenure.

Men's Doubles Successes

Wayne Black established himself as a prominent figure in men's doubles on the , achieving an overall doubles record of 319 wins and 203 losses throughout his career. His success in the discipline was underscored by a career-high doubles of No. 4, attained on 31 January 2005. Black captured 18 ATP doubles titles in total, demonstrating consistent excellence in team play despite a more modest singles career. Black's most enduring and successful partnership was with fellow Zimbabwean Kevin Ullyett, which began in 1997 and resulted in 26 finals together, including 18 victories and 8 defeats. This duo's synergy propelled them to two Grand Slam triumphs: at the 2001 US Open, where they defeated Americans Jared Palmer and Donald Johnson 7–6(9), 2–6, 6–3 in the final, and at the , overcoming the —Bob and Mike—6–4, 6–4 in a straight-sets victory. These Grand Slam wins highlighted Black's tactical prowess and net skills, contributing significantly to his peak ranking shortly after the Australian Open success. Beyond the majors, Black and Ullyett secured several notable ATP titles, such as the 1999 event and the 2000 tournament, alongside victories in various ATP 250 and 500-level competitions that solidified their status as a top-tier pair. Black also experienced 15 doubles runner-up finishes overall, with standout efforts including the 2003 and 2005 Wimbledon finals alongside Ullyett, where they fell short against formidable opponents but showcased their competitive depth on grass courts.

Mixed Doubles Accomplishments

Wayne Black's mixed doubles career was highlighted by his successful partnership with his sister, , which capitalized on their familial connection for seamless coordination and strategic play on the court. This synergy propelled them to three Grand Slam finals together, resulting in two titles and one runner-up finish, marking a notable achievement for competitors in professional tennis. Their first Grand Slam triumph came at the 2002 French Open, where the fifth-seeded siblings defeated Elena Bovina and in the final, 6–3, 6–3, securing Zimbabwe's first major title. Two years later, in 2004, they reached the final again as the fourth seeds but fell to the French wild cards and 6-3, 6-4. Later that same year, Wayne and Cara Black claimed their second Grand Slam crown at Wimbledon, overcoming Alicia Molik and Todd Woodbridge in a hard-fought final, 3–6, 7–6(8), 6–4, after two hours and seven minutes. This victory underscored their resilience and ability to adapt across surfaces, from clay to grass. Beyond the Grand Slams, the Black siblings reached additional finals in ATP and ITF mixed doubles events, contributing to Wayne's overall mixed doubles success and helping elevate Zimbabwe's visibility in the discipline, where the family became synonymous with high-level doubles play. Their accomplishments inspired a generation in African tennis, demonstrating the potential for players from underrepresented nations to compete at the elite level.

Davis Cup Participation

Wayne Black joined the Davis Cup team in 1992 and went on to represent his country in 28 ties, compiling an overall career record of 46–29, with 27–21 in singles and 19–8 in doubles. His contributions were pivotal in elevating 's standing in the competition, often under challenging conditions with limited national resources, reflecting a deep sense of national pride that stemmed from his family's longstanding heritage. Black frequently teamed up with his brother Byron in doubles matches across multiple ties, bolstering Zimbabwe's family-driven presence on the international stage and forming one of the team's most reliable partnerships with a combined 10–5 record. Notable among their performances was the 1998 World Group first-round upset against , where the Black brothers secured a crucial doubles victory over and , helping Zimbabwe clinch a historic 3–2 win and advance to the quarterfinals for the first time. Similarly, in the 1996 Group I Euro/African tie against , their doubles success contributed to a decisive 4–1 team victory, showcasing Black's ability to deliver against competitive European opponents. Black's Davis Cup commitments extended through the early 2000s, including appearances in World Group play-offs, before aligning with the conclusion of his professional career in 2006.

Post-Playing Career

Coaching Roles

Following his from professional in 2006, Wayne Black transitioned into , beginning at the club level in the where he worked with junior players to maintain his involvement in the sport. He later returned to in 2009 and extended his efforts to local junior programs, focusing on developing young talent through . Drawing on his family's tennis legacy—particularly his Cara Black's expertise as a former world No. 1 in doubles—Black emphasized strategic elements like doubles play in his coaching philosophy, informed by his own career achievements in the discipline. Black has coached several professional players, starting with his sister from 2006 to 2009 during her active career. In 2022–2023, he guided New Zealand's Lulu Sun, contributing to her breakthrough performances, including qualifying for major tournaments. From 2023 to 2024, Black served as coach for Serbian ATP player Miomir Kecmanovic, helping him maintain consistency in singles and doubles on the tour. Most recently, he coached Estonian player from early 2024 until September 2025, during which Lajal secured multiple ATP Challenger titles, made appearances in the for , and achieved a career-high ranking of No. 145 in September 2025. In addition to individual mentoring, Black has supported Zimbabwe's national teams, providing advisory roles for ties, such as the 2015 Euro/Africa Zone Group II event against Bosnia-Herzegovina, where he offered tactical guidance to players like Takanyi Garanganga and . His work has focused on elevating player rankings and competitive readiness, particularly through refined doubles strategies that mirror his professional successes. As of 2025, Black coaches his daughter Brooke Black and British junior Oliver Bonding.

Business and Community Involvement

After retiring from professional tennis, Wayne Black returned to Zimbabwe in the late 2000s, settling in with his family to focus on entrepreneurial ventures that contribute to economy. He invested a portion of his career earnings—totaling over $3.3 million in from singles and doubles competitions—into establishing Willow Lodge, a luxury five-star in , which he manages as a family-run operation. This initiative promotes by offering high-end accommodations that highlight Zimbabwean and natural surroundings, thereby supporting local employment and sustainable economic growth in the region. Beyond business ownership, Black has engaged in broader community efforts, particularly in advancing development for Zimbabwean youth without taking on direct coaching responsibilities. Alongside his siblings Byron and , he has supported programs aimed at nurturing talent and expanding access to the , drawing on the family's longstanding legacy in Zimbabwean sports. These initiatives focus on building foundational skills among young players in and beyond, contributing to the revival of local tennis infrastructure. Black's philanthropic activities emphasize improving sports opportunities for underprivileged youth in , including efforts to enhance access to facilities and training resources. His work has been recognized in Zimbabwean media as exemplary, positioning him as a for using athletic success to foster and inspire the next generation. While he has not received formal awards for these contributions, his investments in sustainable ventures and youth-focused projects underscore a commitment to long-term societal impact in his home country.

Personal Life

Immediate Family

Wayne Black married Irina Selyutina, a former professional player from who achieved a career-high WTA singles ranking of No. 85 in 2002, in , , on July 13, 2003. Selyutina, known for her doubles prowess including junior Grand Slam titles alongside Black's sister , provided mutual support during Black's professional career, particularly in family-related events as their paths intersected through partnerships. The couple has two children, son (born circa 2006) and daughter Brooke (born circa 2008), who were born in . Black retired from professional at the end of 2005, around the time their first child was born in 2006, and the family maintained a connection to the sport, with Black actively coaching his children in from a young age to foster their interest and skills.

Residences and Lifestyle

In the later years of his professional career (around 2006), Wayne Black was based in the to facilitate easier access to events across and to provide stability for his young . This period aligned with his peak doubles success, allowing him to balance competitive demands with personal life away from his Zimbabwean roots. His marriage to former professional player Irina Selyutina and their growing served as key anchors for these relocation decisions. Following his retirement in 2005, Black initially settled in with his family, where he even participated in local club in Sutton. However, after about a year, the couple grew dissatisfied with the cold climate and relocated back to in the late 2000s, eventually establishing their home in the area during the 2010s. This move allowed him to manage family priorities while staying connected to his homeland. Post-retirement, Black has emphasized a balanced centered on family-oriented activities and occasional travel for commitments, drawing on his athletic background to maintain an active routine. Known for a low-profile existence without notable controversies, Black engages with his community through local development in , fostering a sense of home and stability.

References

Add your contribution
Related Hubs
User Avatar
No comments yet.