Mississippi-Born Head Coaches

With Hugh Freeze coming on board, the Magnolia State flavor grows even richer in the Ole Miss coaching ranks. Born in Oxford and raised in Independence, Freeze is one of six native Mississippians currently serving as head coaches for Rebel teams. Here is the full list and their hometowns:

Football: Hugh Freeze, Independence
Men's Basketball: Andy Kennedy, Louisville
Women's Basketball: Renee Ladner, Gulfport
Men's Golf: Ernest Ross, Grenada
Men's Tennis: Billy Chadwick, Jackson
Track & Field: Joe Walker, Utica

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New York, New York

Former Rebel Mahesh Bhupathi is taking names in New York at the U.S. Open. The 1995 NCAA Doubles Champion and fellow countryman, Leander Paes, advanced to the doubles quarterfinals with a straight set win against two former Virginia alums, Monday. Later today, Bhupathi who teamed with Paes to win the U.S. Open in 2002, will face off against another former college All-American. Click here to read more.

Bhupathi-Paes Cap Reunion With Victory

Former Rebel tennis standout Mahesh Bhupathi made good on his reunion with fellow countryman Leander Paes as the duo captured the Cincinnati Masters Sunday, their third title since teaming up again before the Australian Open. On their way to the final, they knocked out the world No. 1, Bob and Mike Bryan, in the semifinals. They won the Cincinnati Masters 10 years ago, before splitting up for nine years. Here is the write-up in the Cincinnati Enquirer.

Tennis Center Getting A Facelift

The 2011 tennis season is in the books, but there is plenty going on at the Palmer/Salloum Tennis Center these days. Construction has begun on the renovation/expansion of the tennis center. Read about the plans and see the photo gallery of what's taking place at www.OleMissSports.com.

Homegrown Rebel

Mississippi has had several tennis players go on to become All-Americans at Ole Miss. There was Dave Randall (Tupelo) in the late eighties and then Courtney Chapman (Jackson) in the late 90s. Most recently, Jackson native Devin Britton became the youngest to win an NCAA Singles Championship in 2009, and Grenada product Kristi Boxx earned All-America honors in 2010. Can Oxford native Zach Wilder, who signed with the Rebels Tuesday, join that elite club. Time will tell, but if genes have anything to do with it, perhaps a successful career is in his future. His dad, Dr. Mark Wilder, the dean of the School of Accountancy, was an All-American at Alabama. Click here to read an article in the Oxford Eagle on Zach, a four-time State Champion.

Together Again In Paris

Former 1995 NCAA Doubles Champion and Rebel standout Mahesh Bhupathi got back together in tennis with his countryman Leander Paes earlier this year, and they are off and running in the second slam of the year, the French Open. The third-seeded duo, who has won three grand slam titles together, including the 1999 and 2001 French Open, won their opening round Thursday at Roland Garros. The New York Times caught up with the pair in Paris for a story. Click here to read it.

Mahesh Bhupathi (left) and Leander Paes

Long Road To The Top For Britton

Former NCAA Singles Champion Devin Britton is in Vero Beach, Fla., this week competing in the Boulevard Warren Insurance Tennis Classic. Ray McNulty of the TCPalm caught up with the Mississippi native for a story. Click here to read the story.

Past NCAA Champions Clash Down Under

Former Ole Miss NCAA Doubles Champion Mahesh Bhupathi will be vying for his 12th grand slam title Saturday, as he and his partner, Leander Paes, battle the two-time defending Australian Open Champions, Mike Bryan and Bob Bryan for the doubles title. The match will air on the Tennis Channel at 4:30 a.m. CT.

Bhupathi and Paes, seeded No. 3, advanced to the final with a close three-set win over the No. 2 seeds, Max Mirnyi (BLR) and Daniel Nestor (CAN). The Bryan twins easily defeated Eric Butorac (USA) and Jean-Julien Rojer (AHO) in straight sets to reach their third straight Australian Open final.

While at Ole Miss, Bhupathi helped the Rebels to the NCAA Final in 1995 and teamed up with Ali Hamadeh to win the ’95 NCAA Doubles Championship.

The Aussie Open doubles final includes three former collegiate All-Americans, as the Bryans helped lead Stanford to the NCAA team title in 1998 and won the NCAA doubles crown as well.

G'Day Mate

Former Ole Miss men's tennis star Mahesh Bhupathi is enjoying success down under at the Australian Open. The 1995 NCAA Doubles Champion recently reunited with his fellow countryman and former doubles partner, Leander Paes, to try and win the only doubles grand slam trophy he doesn't have in his trophy case. The duo advanced to the semifinals with a straight set win over the eighth seeded team of Michael Llodra (FRA)/Nenad Zimonjic (SRB) in the quarterfinals. Bhupathi and Paes will face the No. 2 seeds, Max Mirnyi (BLR) and Daniel Nestor (CAN) in the semifinals. In 1999, Bhupathi and Paes won the French Open and Wimbledon and then won the French Open again in 2001, before splitting up for nine years.


Photo by Wayne Taylor

Bhupathi will have two opportunities to win a grand slam this week, as he is also in the Mixed Doubles quarterfinals with Australia's Anastasia Rodionova.

While at Ole Miss, Bhupathi led the Rebels to the NCAA team finals. He became the first Rebel tennis player to win an NCAA title when he captured the Doubles Championship in 1995 and ended the year as the No. 1 doubles team in the nation.

Bhupathi Inspiring Nation

Former Rebel NCAA Tennis Champion Mahesh Bhupathi is obviously a big name in in his home country of India. He became the first Indian to win a Grand Slam title in 1997 and has totaled 11 Grand Slam doubles titles over his career. Bhupathi's success has contributed to a rise in the popularity of the sport in his homeland, and a reunion with his former doubles mate Leander Paes expects to have an even greater impact. It is the subject of a CNN story today.

We Are The Champions

Chris Thiemann and Marcel Thiemann
ITA Southern Regional Doubles Champions

Tucker Vorster
ITA Southern Regional Singles Champion

A Hall Of Famer

Mahesh Bhupathi, the greatest player in Ole Miss men's tennis history, will be inducted into the ITA Men's Tennis Collegiate Hall of Fame Wednesday night at the NCAA Championships in Athens, Ga.

While at Ole Miss, Bhupathi led the Rebels to the NCAA team finals in 1995. He became the first Rebel tennis player to win an NCAA title when he teamed with Ali Hamadeh to capture the Doubles Championship in 1995 and ended the year as the No. 1 doubles team in the nation. In addition, Bhupathi was an All-American, 1994 ITA Rookie of the Year, 1995 SEC Singles Champion and SEC Player of the Year.

Since turning pro in the summer of 1995, Bhupathi has won all four slams with 11 total grand slam titles.

Head coach Billy Chadwick will accept the honor on Bhupathi's behalf, as the former Rebel is in Paris competing in the French Open.


Bhupathi (left) pictured with Ali Hamadeh after capturing the 1995 NCAA Doubles Championship.

Welcome Back

A couple of former Rebel netters were in attendance at Wednesday's match against No.5 Ohio State. Three-time All-American in singles and doubles, Erling Tveit, and 2009 NCAA Singles Champion Devin Britton were spotted watching their former team in action. They both plan to stick around for the Rebels' match against Mississippi State Saturday at 3 p.m.

Former Ballboy Britton Gives Haas A Match

Devin Britton became the youngest NCAA Singles Champion in men's tennis history last May while a freshman at Ole Miss, and now he's playing against the likes of Roger Federer and his latest opponent, Tommy Haas of Germany. Britton was once a ballboy for Haas, and Tuesday night, he faced the No. 4 seed in the first round of the SAP Open. Haas needed a second set tiebreaker to hold off the wildcard, Britton, 6-4, 7-6(3). Click here to read what both had to say.

Devin Britton Gets Wildcard Into SAP Open

Since turning pro, 2009 NCAA Singles Champion Devin Britton has already faced the game's best in Roger Federer, at the U.S. Open. On Tuesday Britton will face another one of the top players in the game, Germany's Tommy Haas, in the first round of the SAP Open in San Jose, Calif. Britton received a wildcard into the main draw, while Haas is seeded No. 4 in the tournament. Click here to read Britton's thoughts on playing Haas.

Rebels Rule Rankings

The nation's eyes are on Ole Miss sports.

For the first time in school history, the Rebel football, men’s basketball and baseball teams are all ranked in their respective national polls at the same time.

The football team finished at No. 20 in the final AP poll and No. 21 in the coaches poll. The hoops team is currently ranked 21st by the AP and 23rd by the coaches. The Diamond Rebs are No. 22 in Collegiate Baseball’s preseason poll.

Ole Miss is one of only five schools currently ranked in the top 25 in all three sports. The others are Clemson, Georgia Tech, Miami and Texas.

In addition, Ole Miss has two more teams in the national polls with the men's tennis team at No. 10 and the women at No. 21 in the 2010 ITA preseason rankings.

Devin Britton Hangs With Tennis Greats

Former Rebel NCAA Champion Devin Britton has enjoyed a whirlwind few months since turning pro this past summer, including facing the world's best player, Roger Federer, in the first round of the U.S. Open.

Last night he got to hang around some more tennis greats, in addition to Elton John, as part of the 17th World TeamTennis Smash Hits, a fundraiser to benefit the Elton John AIDs foundation and various AIDs charities. The event was held at the Pete Maravich Assembly Center in Baton Rouge, La.



Britton (far left), who was on the team coached by Billy Jean King, played doubles with 2003 U.S. Open Champion, Andy Roddick. Click here to read about the event, including thoughts from Britton.

Devin Britton Featured On Tennis.com

Former Rebel NCAA Singles Champion Devin Britton is in Spain training at the Barcelona Total Tennis Academy. Pete Bodo of Tennis World writes about the Mississippi native in his latest article on Tennis.com. Click here to read the story.

Chadwick National Coach of the Year

Rebel tennis head coach Billy Chadwick has been named the United States Professional Tennis Association (USPTA) National Coach of the Year for the team’s outstanding season in 2009. Chadwick received the award Thursday morning at the annual USPTA World Conference on Tennis held at Marco Island, Fla.

Check out www.olemisssports.com later for the complete story.

Britton Meets With Local Media

Former Rebel NCAA Champion Devin Britton is in Oxford this week. He took time out on Tuesday to meet with local media.

Here is what he had to say on his decision to turn pro.

"I felt good and I felt bad, because I knew leaving these guys would be hard," he said. "Of course, I wish I could come back here with the guys and all, because I like all the guys here on the team, and the coaches. They're great coaches. It's tough. This is the choice I made, and I am going to work hard to try and become a top player."


Click here to read the entire story.