Tripp Phillips, Class of 1995, set an extraordinary standard of excellence at Country Day and beyond. He won individual singles and doubles state championships all four years of high school, never losing a match in North Carolina high school state tennis. As the team’s No. 1 seed, Tripp led the Varsity Tennis team to three NCISAA State Championships (1992, 1994, 1995), a CISAA Conference title, and a first-place finish at the prestigious Woodberry Forest Tournament. His dominance extended to junior tennis, where he was ranked No. 1 in the South, No. 6 nationally, represented the United States in the Junior Davis Cup in New Zealand, and finished third at the Easter Bowl in Miami.

Tripp continued his success at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, earning All-American honors and the Patterson Medal, UNC’s highest athletic award, following an exceptional fifth-year season. He compiled a 25–6 singles record while helping the Tar Heels achieve a top-20 national ranking. On the professional tour, Tripp reached a career-high ATP doubles ranking of No. 29 and competed in every Grand Slam multiple times, including Wimbledon and the U.S. Open. His career highlights include a U.S. Open semifinals run in doubles, victories over top-ranked players including former world No. 2 Michael Chang, and ATP doubles titles in Tokyo (2006) and Indianapolis (2008).

In 2006, Tripp returned to UNC as a member of the men’s tennis coaching staff, eventually becoming Associate Head Coach in 2013. Under his leadership, the Tar Heels won two ITA National Indoor Team Championships, reached the NCAA Finals and Semifinals, and produced 30 All-Americans, including players who went on to compete in the Grand Slams. Tripp has been recognized as ITA National Assistant Coach of the Year and earned multiple regional and national coaching honors. At every stage of his tennis journey, Tripp has exemplified excellence, leadership, and sportsmanship, leaving a lasting legacy on Country Day, collegiate tennis, and the professional game.