News & Features

Share:

It was 10 years ago that Cory Parr and partner Steven Forman won the ITA National Indoors Championships in doubles and became the first Wake Forest players to ever win a national collegiate title. A lot has happened since then to the Demon Deacons, who are currently the No. 1 team in the country, and Parr, whose transformation has brought him full circle and back to Winston-Salem.

Former Wake Forest Doubles Champion Cory Parr

Parr was a top recruit for Wake Forest back in 2005. In addition to his accolades in the juniors, the native of Long Island’s Jericho played for his hometown high school, garnering the titles of Nassau County and New York State singles and doubles champion.

Under the coaching of Jeff Zinn, Parr was a three-time All-American, and went directly on the pro tour when he finished college in 2009. Although he did win 15 Futures doubles titles, he only played a year on the tour.

“I quit in the summer of 2010,” Parr said. “Playing on tour definitely was tougher (than college tennis) and you really have to want it. I didn’t see much of a future in it. It’s very difficult the way the system works with funding, how expensive it is and how hard it is to make a living.

“It’s not a great sport for those who aren’t in the top 100. I wanted to leverage my tennis to a career in a future for myself. I saw an opportunity to start a new chapter that didn’t include playing.”