Laura Granville, a nine-year WTA Tour player who has advanced in all four major tournaments, was named as the eighth head coach of the Princeton women's tennis program on June 6, 2012.
"To have Laura Granville, with the collegiate and professional success that she has achieved, as the coach of our program will be a tremendous asset," the Ford Family Director of Athletics at Princeton University Gary Walters '67 said upon Granville's hiring. "We are confident that the drive that led her to two NCAA singles titles and an accomplished pro career will fit well with our current student-athletes, who are accustomed to high standards for our program."
Granville, who entered Stanford University with the Class of 2003, won the NCAA individual singles title as a freshman and sophomore, turned pro after her sophomore season and remained on the Women's Tennis Association tour until March 2010.
"I am honored to join the Princeton community and I am thrilled to have been selected as head tennis coach by Gary Walters and the search committee," Granville said upon her hiring. "I hope to continue the winning tradition of Louise Gengler, Kathy Sell, Megan Bradley-Rose and all of my predecessors. I look forward to the challenge of competing in the Ivy League, as well as on the national level, each year. I want the players to enjoy competing and the camaraderie with their teammates while setting high standards for sportsmanship and academic excellence."
During her pro career, Granville reached the third round or better at the Australian Open, the U.S. Open, the French Open and Wimbledon. She twice reached the round of 16 at Wimbledon by defeating grand slam champions Mary Pierce and Martina Hingis.
While a pro, Granville won nine International Tennis Federation titles and achieved a career-high singles ranking of No. 28 in June 2003, winning 221 of her 381 career matches. In doubles play, Granville was ranked as high as No. 47 in 2007, winning two WTA and six ITF doubles titles while compiling a record of 100-87.
Following her 2010 retirement from professional tennis, Granville returned to Stanford to finish her education, completing her degree in history with the Class of 2012.
As a collegian, Granville set the women's NCAA record for most consecutive singles victories at 58, which she still holds. Granville helped Stanford to the NCAA team title in 2001 and reached the NCAA doubles final that year while winning her second straight NCAA singles title. She was named the Intercollegiate Tennis Association's Player of the Year in both of her collegiate seasons.
A native of Chicago, Granville prepped at The Latin School of Chicago, where she was the Illinois high school state singles champion in 1996.
