All-American Monday - Josh Cohen

Born Sept. 17, 1984 in Philadelphia, Pa., Josh Cohen started playing tennis at age four, inspired by his father who played collegiately at the University of Pennsylvania. At 13 years old, Josh was the youngest player in Episcopal Academy (Philadelphia, Pa.) history to play for the varsity team. He attended Laurel Springs High School in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., where he went undefeated throughout his career.

Cohen was an elite force in the junior circuit in the late 1990s and early 2000s, participating in nine straight Junior Grand Slams, including the Australian Open, Wimbledon, French Open and US Open. He reached the Round of 16 at the 2000 Junior US Open, and captured titles at the USTA International Hard Courts and Grass Courts Championships in Philadelphia. From ages 12 through 18, Cohen was ranked first in the nation by the USTA in boys’ singles, as well as 19th in the world. His last junior victory came at the USTA National Men’s Open Championship in 2003.

Upon his arrival at the University of Miami, Cohen immediately took the No. 1 spot in the Hurricane lineup, finishing his freshman season as an All-BIG EAST honoree, with a singles record of 21-9. Following the move to the Atlantic Coast Conference in 2004, Cohen continued his success with an 8-4 ACC singles record in his sophomore season, including victories over two top-15 players in the country and a team victory over top-ranked Virginia in the season finale. Cohen finished the 2004-05 season ranked No. 45 in the nation by ITA.

As a junior, he amassed a 27-6 singles record, ranking as high as 18th in the nation, helping the Hurricanes capture their first ACC Regular Season Championship. At its peak, the team ranked sixth nationally, and finished the season ranked 11th in the country. In his senior season, Coach Mario Rincon moved Cohen to the No. 1 doubles slot alongside 2006 All-American Luigi D’Agord. The tandem was one of the strongest in the country, ranking as high as third in all of college tennis. The duo reached the Round of 16 in the NCAA Tournament, and was ultimately named All-American for doubles.

With 174 career victories (92 singles, 82 doubles), Cohen finished his career as the University of Miami’s all-time wins leader. His 82 doubles victories are the most in Miami history, and he is the only Hurricane to have four 20-win seasons in singles. Cohen also excelled academically, making the Dean’s list. His sister, Julia, later played for the Hurricanes, also receiving All-American honors.

Immediately following his storied four years at Miami, Cohen entered the coaching world rather than pursuing a professional playing career. At the age of 22, he joined the University of Pennsylvania’s varsity tennis coaching staff, where he served as assistant coach for four years. His playing days weren’t over, however, as he was selected as an injury replacement for the Delaware Smash of the Mylan World Team Tennis (WTT) in 2008, and won his first match.

While continuing to coach at his father’s alma mater, Cohen joined the Philadelphia Freedoms of the WTT as a player in 2009, and as an assistant coach in 2010 and 2011. The Freedoms, founded and owned by the legendary Billie Jean King, have had some of tennis’ all-time greats play for them, such as Bjorn Borg, Martina Navratilova, Jimmy Connors, Andre Agassi, Andy Roddick and King, herself.

Following three years with the organization, Cohen was named head coach of the Freedoms in 2012 and has held the position since. His teams have featured top players such as James Blake, Victoria Azarenka and Sloane Stephens. The Freedoms’ 2016 squad is headlined by former world No. 1 Caroline Wozniacki and 18-year old phenom, Daria Kasatkina.

Cohen also has his own tennis program. While he is not leading the Freedoms, Cohen runs the Chirico Cohen Tennis Academy with friend, and former ACC competitor, Jarrett Chirico. The academy, located at the Green Valley Country Club, is one of the largest tennis programs in Pennsylvania and hosts Nike tennis camps in the summer.