Raymond Owen "Ray" Ruffels (born 23 March 1946) is an Australian former professional tennis player and coach.
Playing career Ruffels was an Australian Open semi-finalist in 1968, 1969 and 1976, and a quarter-finalist in 1970 and 1977. In 1978, partnering with Billie Jean King in mixed doubles competition, Ruffels reached the final at Wimbledon and the US Open. Ruffels beat newly crowned US Open champion Stan Smith at the Wembley tournament in 1971. He had two wins over Ken Rosewall and one over John Newcombe in ATP events. He won five open era ATP singles titles at Hobart in 1968, Brisbane in 1969, Haverford in 1970, Auckland in 1972 and Perth indoors in 1976.
He was a member of the Australian Davis Cup team in 1968, 1969, 1970, and 1977.
Career finals Doubles (16 titles, 7 runner-ups) ResultW–LDateTournamentSurfacePartnerOpponentsScoreWin 1–0 Aug 1970 Merion, US Hard Bill Bowrey Jim McManus Jim Osborne 3–6, 6–2, 7–5Win 2–0 Oct 1970 Phoenix, US Hard Dick Crealy Jan Kodeš Charlie Pasarell 7–6, 6–3Win 3–0 Nov 1970 Buenos Aires, Argentina Clay Bob Carmichael Željko Franulović Jan Kodeš 7–5, 6–2, 5–7, 6–7, 6–3Win 4–0 Mar 1971 Auckland, New Zealand Grass Bob Carmichael Brian Fairlie Raymond Moore 6–3, 6–7, 6–4, 4–6, 6–3Loss 4–1 May 1971 Tehran WCT, Iran Clay Bob Carmichael John Newcombe Tony Roche 4–6, 7–6, 1–6Loss 4–2 Jul 1971 Washington WCT, US Clay Bob Carmichael Tom Okker Marty Riessen 6–7, 2–6Win 5–2 Feb 1972 Toronto WCT, Canada Carpet Bob Carmichael Roy Emerson Rod Laver 6–4, 4–6, 6–4Win 6–2 Apr 1972 Quebec WCT, Canada Indoor Bob Carmichael John Alexander Terry Addison 4–6, 6–3, 7–5Loss 6–3 Oct 1974 Christchurch, New Zealand Syd Ball Ismail El Shafei Roscoe Tanner W/OWin 7–3 Jan 1975 Auckland, New Zealand Grass Bob Carmichael Brian Fairlie Onny Parun 7–6, RET.Win 8–3 Jan 1975 Baltimore WCT, US Carpet Dick Crealy Ismail El Shafei Frew McMillan 6–4, 6–3Win 9–3 Feb 1975 Dayton Indoor, US Carpet Allan Stone Paul Gerken Brian Gottfried 7–6, 7–5Loss 9–4 Mar 1975 Orlando WCT, US Hard Colin Dibley Brian Gottfried Raúl Ramírez 4–6, 4–6Win 10–4 Apr 1975 St. Louis, US Clay Colin Dibley Ross Case Geoff Masters 6–4, 6–4Win 11–4 Feb 1976 Dayton, US Carpet Sherwood Stewart Jaime Fillol Charlie Pasarell 6–2, 3–6, 7–5Win 12–4 Mar 1976 Little Rock, US Carpet Syd Ball Giuliano Pecci Haroon Rahim 6–3, 6–7, 6–3Win 13–4 Aug 1976 Boston, US Clay Allan Stone Mike Cahill John Whitlinger 3–6, 6–3, 7–6Loss 13–5 Sep 1976 Bermuda Clay Dick Crealy Mike Cahill John Whitlinger 4–6, 6–4, 6–7Win 14–5 Nov 1976 Bangalore, India Clay Bob Carmichael Chiradip Mukerjea Bhanu Nunna 6–2, 7–6Loss 14–6 Mar 1977 La Costa WCT, US Hard Allan Stone Bob Hewitt Frew McMillan 4–6, 2–6Win 15–6 Oct 1977 Perth, Australia Hard Allan Stone Nick Saviano John Whitlinger 6–2, 6–1Loss 15–7 Dec 1977 Sydney Outdoor, Australia Grass Allan Stone John Alexander Phil Dent 6–7, 6–2, 3–6Win 16–7 Dec 1977Australian Open-2, Melbourne Grass Allan Stone John Alexander Phil Dent 7–6, 7–6
Coaching career Ruffels was appointed head national tennis coach of Tennis Australia in 1980. He was appointed the inaugural Head Coach of the Australian Institute of Sport (AIS) tennis program in 1981. He held this position until his retirement in January 1990. Whilst at the AIS, Ruffels coached many young players that would have successful professional careers including: Pat Cash, Wally Masur, Darren Cahill, Todd Woodbridge, Richard Fromberg, Simon Youl and Johan Anderson. After leaving the AIS, he coached Todd Woodbridge and Mark Woodforde, who as a doubles team won many major titles including the gold medal at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics.
In 2009, he returned to Australia to work at the AIS after being a national coach for the United States Tennis Association player development program in California.
In November 2016, he was awarded The President's Spirit of Tennis by Tennis Australia.
Personal Ruffels married professional tennis player Anna-Maria Fernandez and they have two children, Ryan and Gabriela; both have taken up golf as a career.
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