Devin Britton Now Holds Two Titles

May 17, 2016

OXFORD, Miss. -- In the past 12 years, more than 14,000 former U.S. college athletes who left school without graduating have returned to campus to earn degrees. NCAA rules allow schools to fund scholarships for these returning students, and many of them come back.

Count 2009 NCAA Champion Devin Britton of Ole Miss men's tennis among the more than 14,000. The Jackson, Mississippi, native left school to turn pro after becoming the youngest ever singles champion in NCAA history in 2009.

After four years on the professional tour, Britton returned to Oxford and Ole Miss to finish what he started.

Britton now holds two titles - NCAA Champion and graduate.

"It's awesome. I am excited to get a degree and have that diploma that says University of Mississippi on it," Britton said. "My dad came to school here and I know he's proud of me for finishing up my degree. It's been a great ride to have this opportunity to come back and be around the team and finish what I started. It's been amazing."

Everyone who leaves early to turn professional in whatever sport it may be, hopes to ride a fast track to success, but sometimes that doesn't happen.

On tour, Britton won 12 ITF Futures and two ATP Challenger doubles titles, to go along with a singles title in the Sacramento Futures in June 2012. He was ranked as high as No. 378 in the world in singles and No. 119 in doubles. Britton also received a wildcard into the 2009 United States Open as the reigning NCAA singles champion, where he faced then-No. 1 and 17-time grand slam champion Roger Federer in the first round.

"It definitely wasn't the plan originally [to come back], but it's worked out," Britton said. "I played for four years, and I didn't quite get to where I was hoping to [in the rankings]. I was fortunate to be given the opportunity to come back and finish my degree, and work with the team. It's been awesome!"

Head coach Toby Hansson says the team has benefited from having Britton around the program the last three years.

"It's been great to have Devin assisting with the team for the past three years," Hansson said. "He has a great appreciation for what Ole Miss has given him and he is committed to giving back to this program. In his time helping with the team he has proven to have the makings of a great coach. In fact, we are using many of the techniques he has used on the pro circuit including both technical skill training as well as strategy in both singles and doubles.

"For a 25-year-old, he has been through almost everything you can experience as a tennis player. He had a stellar junior career, won an SEC championship, won an NCAA singles title and has played on center court at the U.S. Open Championships. The players respect him and know that he has seen it all."

Britton received his degree in managerial finance, but don't look for him behind a desk on Wall Street anytime soon.

"Finance interested me. When I turned pro I signed some contracts, and I wanted to learn more about the ins and outs of all of it. It's been cool to learn the different aspects of finance, but I don't really see myself behind a desk. I would much rather be on a tennis court or outside. That would be more suited to my skillset."

Britton said he's learned a lot from being on this side of the game.

"It's different, but it definitely opened my eyes to how I probably overreacted to certain situations when I was playing. It's easy to get caught up in the little things as a player when you're stressing about winning and losing. It's been nice to see the game from a coaching aspect and get a different perspective."

Has it whetted his appetite for a full-time gig in coaching?

"I've definitely thought about college coaching as a career," Britton said. "It's nice because you have a home base and you travel, but you're not gone 35 weeks of the year like you would be if you traveled with a player. Also, the coolest part of college tennis is having a team around you all the time. When I was playing on tour I realized being by yourself can be tough at times."

When he returned to campus in 2013, Britton didn't rule out a possible return to playing, but now says that isn't likely.

"I've thought about possibly playing doubles, but we'll see. It's expensive to play and it's tough physically. I haven't been maintaining my fitness program the necessary way you need to compete day in day out; it would take some time to get going."

Whatever he decides on his future, one thing is for certain. Britton is now a champion on and off the court.

The University of Mississippi Athletics

Related Videos