Glenn Michibata

Collegiate career

Prior to turning pro, Michibata was an All American player at Pepperdine University in the 1981, 1982 and 1983 seasons.

Professional career – singles

An ATP touring professional from 1983 to 1993, the right-handed Michibata earned a career-high singles ranking of World No. 48 in April 1986. His best results were semi-finals appearances at the 1985 outdoor Tokyo, 1989 Wellington, and 1989 Schenectady Grand Prix events.

Michibata reached the 2nd round in all four Grand Slam tournaments, but never further. His first Grand Slam appearance was at the 1983 US Open, when he lost in the 2nd Round to Pat Cash. His last was also at the US Open in 1991, when he lost in the 1st Round to Nuno Marques. Michibata only played all four Grand Slams in the same year in 1989, reaching the 2nd Round at the French Open and US Open and losing in the 1st Round at the Australian Open and Wimbledon.

Professional career – doubles

Michibata had more success as a doubles player. Much of that success came with fellow Canadian Grant Connell, including four titles. In 1990, Michibata and Connell were finalists at the Australian Open. Michibata's highest doubles ranking was #5 on 8 July 1991 after he and Connell reached the semi-finals of both the French Open and Wimbledon. Coincidentally, they lost both of those semi-finals to John Fitzgerald and Anders Järryd.

Davis Cup and Olympics

Michiata competed 14 Canadian Davis Cup teams between 1982 and 1992. He went 4 and 10 in singles and 7 and 8 in doubles. The Connell-Michibata pair won a crucial match in a 1990 tie against the Dutchmen Paul Haarhuis and Mark Koevermans 7–6(5), 7–6(5), 6–2, as Canada defeated the Netherlands 3–2 in the qualifying round for the 1991 World Group. Unfortunately the Canadian team as well as the Connell-Michibata pairing lost in the first round of the World Group in 1991 as well as the following year, two of the only three times Canada has competed in the World Group since its inception in 1981.

Michibata also competed in Men's Doubles with Grant Connell at the 1988 Olympics in Seoul. They were seeded 6th, but lost in the first round to Moreten Christensen and Michael Tauson of Denmark.

Coaching career

After retiring as a player, Michibata became the Director of Tennis at Whistler Racquet and Golf Resort in Whistler, British Columbia. Also, Michibata coached the doubles team of fellow Canadian Daniel Nestor and Mark Knowles for two years (1995–1997).

In 1997, Michibata became an assistant tennis coach at the University of Southern California staying there until 2000, when he moved to Princeton University to become the head coach of its tennis program. He remained at Princeton for 12 years during which time he had a 145–121 record, including winning records in seven Ivy League seasons, and three Ivy League Players of the Year.

Michibata has remained in the Princeton area, as he is currently Director of Elite and Tournament Training for the Princeton Tennis Program, where he coaches many top national ranked players.

Personal life

Michibata is married and has a son and a daughter. In 1999, he was inducted into both the Canadian Tennis Hall of Fame in 1999. and the Etobicoke Sports Hall of Fame. Michibata and Grant Connell were inducted into the Rogers Cup Hall of Fame in 2010.