 AIS Head Tennis Coach Ray Ruffels in 1981 | |
| Full name | Raymond Owen Ruffels |
|---|---|
| Country (sports) |  Australia |
| Born | (1946-03-23)23 March 1946 (age 79) Sydney, Australia |
| Turned pro | 1968 (amateur from 1964) |
| Retired | 1980 |
| Plays | Left-handed (one-handed backhand) |
| Singles | |
| Career record | 452-316 |
| Career titles | 13 |
| Highest ranking | No. 27 (12 December 1976) |
| Grand Slam singles results | |
| Australian Open | SF (1968,1969,1976) |
| French Open | 4R (1968) |
| Wimbledon | QF (1967) |
| US Open | 4R (1966) |
| Doubles | |
| Career record | 219–137 |
| Career titles | 16 |
| Grand Slam doubles results | |
| Australian Open | W (1977) |
| Mixed doubles | |
| Grand Slam mixed doubles results | |
| Wimbledon | F (1978) |
| US Open | F (1978) |
Raymond Owen "Ray" Ruffels (born 23 March 1946)[1] is anAustralian former professionaltennis player and coach.
Ruffels was anAustralian Open semi-finalist in1968,1969 and1976, and a quarter-finalist in1970 and1977. In 1978, partnering withBillie Jean King inmixed doubles competition, Ruffels reached the final atWimbledon and theUS Open. Ruffels beat newly crowned US Open championStan Smith at the Wembley tournament in 1971.[2] He had two wins overKen Rosewall and one overJohn Newcombe in ATP events.[3] He won five open era ATP singles titles at Hobart in 1968, Brisbane in 1969, Haverford in 1970, Auckland in 1972 and Perth indoors in 1976.[4]
He was a member of theAustralianDavis Cup team in1968,1969,1970, and1977.[1]
| Result | W–L | Date | Tournament | Surface | Partner | Opponents | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Win | 1–0 | 1970 | Merion, US | Hard | Bill Bowrey |  Jim McManusJim Osborne | 3–6, 6–2, 7–5 |
| Win | 2–0 | 1970 | Phoenix, US | Hard | Dick Crealy |  Jan KodešCharlie Pasarell | 7–6, 6–3 |
| Win | 3–0 | 1970 | Buenos Aires, Argentina | Clay | Bob Carmichael |  Željko FranulovićJan Kodeš | 7–5, 6–2, 5–7, 6–7, 6–3 |
| Win | 4–0 | 1971 | Auckland, New Zealand | Grass | Bob Carmichael |  Brian Fairlie Raymond Moore | 6–3, 6–7, 6–4, 4–6, 6–3 |
| Loss | 4–1 | 1971 | Tehran WCT, Iran | Clay | Bob Carmichael | John NewcombeTony Roche | 4–6, 7–6, 1–6 |
| Loss | 4–2 | 1971 | Washington WCT, US | Clay | Bob Carmichael |  Tom OkkerMarty Riessen | 6–7, 2–6 |
| Win | 5–2 | 1972 | Toronto WCT, Canada | Carpet | Bob Carmichael | Roy EmersonRod Laver | 6–4, 4–6, 6–4 |
| Win | 6–2 | 1972 | Quebec WCT, Canada | Indoor | Bob Carmichael | John AlexanderTerry Addison | 4–6, 6–3, 7–5 |
| Loss | 6–3 | 1974 | Christchurch, New Zealand | Syd Ball |  Ismail El ShafeiRoscoe Tanner | W/O | |
| Win | 7–3 | 1975 | Auckland, New Zealand | Grass | Bob Carmichael | Brian FairlieOnny Parun | 7–6, RET. |
| Win | 8–3 | 1975 | Baltimore WCT, US | Carpet | Dick Crealy | Ismail El ShafeiFrew McMillan | 6–4, 6–3 |
| Win | 9–3 | 1975 | Dayton Indoor, US | Carpet | Allan Stone | Paul GerkenBrian Gottfried | 7–6, 7–5 |
| Loss | 9–4 | 1975 | Orlando WCT, US | Hard | Colin Dibley | Brian Gottfried Raúl Ramírez | 4–6, 4–6 |
| Win | 10–4 | 1975 | St. Louis, US | Clay | Colin Dibley | Ross CaseGeoff Masters | 6–4, 6–4 |
| Win | 11–4 | 1976 | Dayton, US | Carpet | Sherwood Stewart |  Jaime FillolCharlie Pasarell | 6–2, 3–6, 7–5 |
| Win | 12–4 | 1976 | Little Rock, US | Carpet | Syd Ball |  Giuliano Pecci Haroon Rahim | 6–3, 6–7, 6–3 |
| Win | 13–4 | 1976 | Boston, US | Clay | Allan Stone | Mike CahillJohn Whitlinger | 3–6, 6–3, 7–6 |
| Loss | 13–5 | 1976 | Bermuda | Clay | Dick Crealy | Mike CahillJohn Whitlinger | 4–6, 6–4, 6–7 |
| Win | 14–5 | 1976 | Bangalore, India | Clay | Bob Carmichael |  Chiradip MukerjeaBhanu Nunna | 6–2, 7–6 |
| Loss | 14–6 | 1977 | La Costa WCT, US | Hard | Allan Stone | Bob HewittFrew McMillan | 4–6, 2–6 |
| Win | 15–6 | 1977 | Perth, Australia | Hard | Allan Stone | Nick SavianoJohn Whitlinger | 6–2, 6–1 |
| Loss | 15–7 | 1977 | Sydney Outdoor, Australia | Grass | Allan Stone | John AlexanderPhil Dent | 6–7, 6–2, 3–6 |
| Win | 16–7 | 1977 | Australian Open-2,Melbourne | Grass | Allan Stone | John AlexanderPhil Dent | 7–6, 7–6 |
Ruffels was appointed head national tennis coach of Tennis Australia in 1980.[5] He was appointed the inaugural Head Coach of theAustralian Institute of Sport (AIS) tennis program in 1981. He held this position until his retirement in January 1990.[5][6] Whilst at the AIS, Ruffels coached many young players that would have successful professional careers including:Pat Cash,Wally Masur,Darren Cahill,Todd Woodbridge,Richard Fromberg,Simon Youl andJohan Anderson.[7] After leaving the AIS, he coached Todd Woodbridge andMark Woodforde, who as a doubles team won many major titles including the gold medal at the1996 Atlanta Olympics.[8]
In 2009, he returned to Australia to work at the AIS after being a national coach for theUnited States Tennis Association player development program in California.[9]
In November 2016, he was awarded The President's Spirit of Tennis byTennis Australia.
Ruffels married professional tennis playerAnna-Maria Fernandez and they have two children,Ryan andGabriela; both have taken upgolf as a career.[10][11]
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