All-American Monday - Eddie Dibbs

Eddie Dibbs (1971-72)

Coral Gables, Fla. – “He’s only 5-7 but has six feet of heart” is how men’s tennis coach Dale Lewis described the Miami Beach native. Eddie Dibbs came to the University of Miami as the reigning two-time state of Florida high-school champion and a national juniors ranking in the top-6.

Continuing in his winning ways, Dibbs began his Hurricane career by winning his first 31 regular season singles matches. As a freshman in 1969-70, Dibbs posted a perfect 20-0 regular season and an overall record of 22-1 in singles matches. Partnering primarily with freshman and future All-American Raz Reid, Dibbs posted a 12-2 regular season and an overall record of 13-3 in doubles competition. In 1970, Dibbs won the Florida Clay Court Championship, the Bahama Invitational singles title, and claimed a victory over Gardner Mulloy.

Building off his freshman success, Dibbs won his first 11 matches of singles play posting a regular season record of 11-1 and an overall record of 16-2. In doubles competition, Dibbs posted a regular season record of 11-1 and an overall record of 14-2. In the 1971 NCAA tournament, Dibbs advanced to the quarterfinals for both singles and doubles play.

ATP: Eddie Dibbs

For the second time in three years, Dibbs posted a perfect mark in regular season singles play (15-0). Overall, his record in singles play was 19-1. In doubles competition, Dibbs went 7-4 in the regular season but 12-5 overall. For the second consecutive season, Dibbs advanced to the doubles quarterfinals of the 1972 NCAA tournament. In singles play of the NCAA tournament, Dibbs advanced to the fifth round. For his performance on the court, Dibbs was named the 1972 University of Miami Athlete of the Year.

As a Cane, Dibbs holds an overall mark of 46-1 (.979) in regular season of singles play. He also holds victories over George Goven, France’s No. 1 player, Juan Gisbert, Spain’s No. 2 netter, Jimmy Conners, the 1972 NCAA Champion, Roscoe Tanner, a 1971 NCAA finalist, All-American’s Haroom Rahim, Harold Solomon and All-American teammate Pat Cramer. Dibbs was induced into the University of Miami’s Hall of Fame in 1987.

UM Hall of Fame Bio: Eddie Dibbs

As a professional, Dibbs collected 22 singles career titles and one doubles title. He was the runner-up in 20 other singles title and 3 other doubles titles competitions. In 1978, Dibbs earned a top-10 ranking, No. 5 overall. In 1975 and 1976, Dibbs was a semi-finalist in the French Open. Although he had never won a grand slams title, Dibbs has collected over $2,000,000 in career prize money.