TJ Pura, a former standout for the Duke University men’s tennis team, returned to his alma mater in May 2024 as the first assistant coach under head coach Ramsey Smith. After graduating from Duke in 2017 with a degree in computer science and history (with a certificate in innovation and entrepreneurship), Pura spent time as a professional player on the ITF Futures Tour, followed by a career in investment banking and corporate finance before choosing to devote himself to coaching.
As a student-athlete with the Blue Devils from 2013-17, Pura earned Third Team All-ACC honors in 2017. He finished his senior year with an undefeated 11-0 ACC singles mark—a Duke single-season record for ACC singles wins and longest consecutive ACC win streak—and is ranked sixth in program history in ACC singles wins. Prior to rejoining Duke, Pura served as the first assistant coach at Vanderbilt University during the 2023-24 season, helping the Commodores make an NCAA Tournament appearance for the first time since 2019 and guiding 2024 SEC Freshman of the Year Danil Panarin. Vanderbilt improved from No. 72 to No. 42 in the final national rankings during that time. Pura also helped recruit nine players and supported the program’s NIL strategy.
