Taylor Dent, a United States Professional Tennis Association P-1 member and ATP tour player, will play Wimbledon for the first time since 2005, after defeating Pablo Cuevas of Uruguay, 6-3, 7-5, 6-7 (7), 6-3.
Dent, who is currently ranked No. 269 on the ATP tour, has been working on his comeback to competition after undergoing back surgery in March 2007. During his time away from the tour, he took the opportunity to earn his USPTA certification.
He earned the highest USPTA certification as a Professional 1 after an extensive examination of tennis operations management skills, tennis-teaching skills, stroke analysis, and demonstrations of group and private lessons. Although he was given the option to take the shorter executive test offered to touring professionals, Dent insisted on taking the regular exam. The only other touring professional to ever insist on taking the regular USPTA certification exam was Arthur Ashe in 1985.
However, he decided to put his teaching and work as a commentator on hold, as he returned to the tour in May 2008. Dent, an accomplished grass-court player, will once again get the chance to showcase his talents at Wimbledon.