William Ward (tennis)
William Ward (born 4 March 1986) is a former New Zealand tennis player. He reached the height of his career in the junior circuit in 2004, but did not achieve as high results in the men's circuit. He retired from playing in 2013. He started coaching in 2015, he coaches players Michael Venus and Finn Tearney. Career. Ward started his junior tennis career in 2000 at the age of 14. He played his first grade 1 tournament in March 2003, his first grade B tournament in August 2003, and his first grade A tournament, the highest  junior tournament level, in October 2003. In March 2004 he was ranked among the top 30 in the junior circuit and was selected to represent New Zealand in the 2004 Davis Cup, he only competed in one game at the Davis Cup Thailand at the first round playoffs in April, at the second round playoffs in Pakistan he became verbally abusive after he was left off the court, a fellow player Lee Radovanovich said that he had "a very high opinion" of his abilities, but lacked the skill to match the senior players. Later in the year competed in the  quarterfinals at 2004 Wimbledon boys' singles and was the top ranked New Zealand junior at the end of the year. However he did not achieve such high rankings in the men's circuit with his highest ranking being 1029. He retired from tennis in 2013. He started coaching in 2015, coaching players Michael Venus, who won the 2017 French Open men's doubles, and Finn Tearney. He is also a member of the board of directors for Tennis NZ. See also. New Zealand Davis Cup team