'I'm deeply hurt': Long-time tennis coach fumes over Arkansas University removing tennis program
- Christian Montegan
- 2 hours ago
- 3 min read
The University of Arkansas' controversial call to scrap tennis at the end of the 2026 spring season has caused widespread uproar.
On Saturday, the shocking news was made public.
"After considerable reflection and thoughtful discussion, we have made the very difficult decision to discontinue our men's and women's tennis programs," Vice Chancellor and Director of Athletics Hunter Yurachek said. "We understand the disappointment and emotion this news will bring to many. The landscape of college athletics continues to evolve, requiring us to make challenging choices as we balance competitive opportunities, resources and the long-term sustainability of our department."
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Former tennis coach Robert Cox, who led the Arkansas Razorbacks for 26 seasons from 1988 to 2013, expressed his disappointment and disbelief over the decision.
"My immediate thought: We can still save the sport," Cox told Whole Hog Sports. "It's the cheapest sport on campus. It's nothing in the grand scheme, $2.5 million for both men and women combined for an athletic program with $200 million in annual revenue. We can raise that."
But that doesn't seem to be a possibility, given that Yurachek highlighted in his statement that "we concluded that we are unable to provide the level of support necessary for our tennis programs to consistently compete".
"It was just plain devastation," Cox shared. "I've got 200 sons to call. Well, they are all calling me. I have talked to most of them at this point, but a few I have not gotten back to, and I'll continue with that tonight. These are hard discussions. It's difficult to even explain it because there is no recourse.
"I'm just shocked that tennis is no longer on our campus. Surely something could have been done.
"I'm upset with the leadership. I'm upset that no one allowed us to try to save it. I'm deeply hurt. Tennis has done nothing but represent the University of Arkansas in the best fashion."
The 69-year-old later added: "I am just shocked nothing can be done. But that's what I'm told.
"I spoke with Tom Pucci — my coach here — on the phone. He's like the rest of us, just utter disbelief and no chance for dialogue."
Cox concluded that he received a phone call from Yurachek, promising that the pair can meet for a coffee in the coming days.
"I'm looking forward to that," Cox said. "He knows I'm hurt."
Former world No.8 John Isner, who developed his game as a junior at Georgia University, piled the blame on the NIL (Name, Image, and Likeness) college landscape.
"The post NIL college landscape is out of control," he posted on X. "Flat out ruining college sports and now a very proud men's and women's program is being cut altogether because of all this BS. This is a travesty.
"Never thought I'd see the day where an SEC school eliminated tennis."
Patrick McEnroe, the brother of John, has also been heavily critical of the American college system over the past week.
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