Class of ’83 : RICK LEACH, Tennis Champion : Despite Basketball’s Lure, He Stars on Another Court

Not many triumphs have escaped Rick Leach in what has been a distinguished tennis career.

From those early days on the junior circuit through the professional ranks, Leach has claimed some of the most important and prestigious tennis titles in the world.

His athletic life has been devoted to the sport. But, if he could relive his years at Laguna Beach High, Leach said he wouldn’t limit himself to tennis.

“I kind of regret I didn’t play basketball,” the 6-foot-2 Leach said. “At the time, I was the No. 2 player in the nation (in the 18-and-under division). I was pretty focused (on tennis) and I knew I wanted to be a professional. But I love basketball. I still play a lot with my friends.”

Leach, however, knew his future was on the courts where a deuce is not Dick Vitale’s name for a baseline jumper.

He was introduced to tennis as a boy by his father, Dick, the USC men’s coach. By the time he arrived at Laguna Beach High, he was already considered one of the best young players in the county. When he graduated, there was no doubt about that tag.

In high school, Leach helped the Artists to Southern Section Division 3-A team titles in 1980 and ’82. He also was the boys’ singles champion his senior year.

Leach then went to USC and won NCAA doubles titles in 1986 and ‘87, first with Tim Pawsat and later with Scott Melville. He was a four-time All-American when he turned pro in 1987, but already had teamed with former UCLA standout Jim Pugh to win several satellite tournaments.

The two won 18 titles during their association--which ended last year--including Wimbledon in 1990 and the Australian Open in 1988 and ’89. In those years they were the top-ranked doubles team in the world. In 1990, Leach was ranked No. 1 individually among doubles players.

Now, Leach plays doubles with Kelly Jones, a two-time NCAA doubles champion while at Pepperdine. He’s also back on the U.S. Davis Cup team after he and Pugh were dropped from the squad last year by team captain Tom Gorman despite a 6-0 record in Cup matches.

Leach, 27, teamed with fellow left-hander John McEnroe last weekend to beat Javier Frana and Christian Miniussi, 6-7, 6-2, 6-2, 6-1, helping the United States defeat Argentina in a first-round Davis Cup match in Hawaii. Leach said he was surprised Gorman asked him to return to the team.

“I kind of thought I had lost my spot on the team,” Leach said. “I wasn’t sure if I was ever going to play again. I guess it was McEnroe and Gorman together who suggested that we team up.”

Leach, who still lives in Laguna Beach, said he felt comfortable playing with McEnroe.

“It took us actually one set to adjust. We were a little bit uptight, a little bit nervous,” Leach said. “He showed me so much intensity out there.”

The next Cup match for the United States will be March 27-29 against Czechoslovakia in Florida. Leach hopes he’ll be a part of it.

“I would love to play with McEnroe against Czechoslovakia,” he said.