Walters named assistant coach for men's tennis
Matt Walters
Former four-year University of Arkansas letterwinner Matt Walters, most recently a tennis coach with IMG Academy, has been named assistant coach for the men's tennis squad at Mississippi State, head coach Matt Roberts announced last Wednesday [Aug 3].
Walters replaces former assistant coach Tanner Stump, who joined the University of Florida men's tennis coaching staff in June.
"I'm very honored and appreciative of the opportunity head coach Matt Roberts has given me here at Mississippi State," Walters said. "I look forward to helping Coach Roberts continue the long and storied tradition of tennis here and can't wait to begin working with the great group of student-athletes he has developed here at MSU."
Walters comes to Starkville after spending the past two seasons in Bradenton, Fla., coaching at the IMG Academy. While at the academy, Walters worked with top ITF juniors, serving as a mentor and coach. Walters has coached players who have participated in a wide range of high-level junior events, such as the Junior Australian Open, Roland Garros Junior French Championships, Junior Wimbledon Championships and U.S. Open Junior Championships.
Before his time in Bradenton, Walters was the owner, president and head tennis professional for the APEX Tennis Club in Fayetteville, Ark.
"We are very excited to bring Matt into the Bulldog family," Roberts said. "Matt possesses the work ethic and character that fits in well with Mississippi State tennis. Not only will he bring a wealth of knowledge to the court, but he's also well connected with the international junior tennis scene, which will be instrumental in our ability to recruit players."
Walters played collegiately at the University of Arkansas from 2009-12, lettering all four years with the Razorbacks while being named co-captain twice. Walters earned a spot on the SEC Academic Honor Roll all four years at Arkansas, while also garnering All-Academic ITA laurels in 2011 and 2012. On the court, Walters was a formidable doubles competitor, climbing into the top 50 ITA rankings during his senior season.
"As a player, Matt was a natural leader and a great competitor," said Roberts, a fellow former Razorback from 2003-06. "I'm excited to see him grow into a coach that possesses those similar traits."
Before attending Arkansas, Walters was tabbed as a four-star recruit from Valley View High School in Jonesboro, Ark.
A native of Jonesboro, Walters graduated from Arkansas in 2012 with a bachelor's degree in kinesiology.
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