Brian Baker is in his fourth season as an assistant coach for the Belmont men's tennis program.

Baker, a native of Nashville, is one of the top tennis players that the Middle Tennessee area has ever produced. After winning a state prep title at Hillwood High School, Baker turned professional in 2003 and played the ATP and the USTA Pro circuits for several years. In 2004, he earned his first ATP Tour win at Memphis, his first professional title at the USTA Futures event in Tampa, and his first USTA challenger title in Denver. A career highlight was in the first round of the 2005 US Open, when Baker earned a straight sets victory over ninth-seeded Gastion Gaudio.

"Brian has done a great job as our assistant coach," said Jim Madrigal, Belmont head coach. "His experience of playing tennis at the highest level is a great benefit for our squad."

Baker's coaching contributions to Belmont have been put on hold momentarily, as he has embarked upon one of the great comeback stories in recent memory.

After claiming two Futures Tour titles over the winter, Baker won the Challenger series clay court event in Savannah, Ga. in April. The victory earned him wildcard entry into the 2012 French Open.

From there, in the ATP Tour event leading into Roland Garros, Baker defeated the likes of Gael Monfils, Nikolay Davydenko, Mikhail Kukushkin, and Sergiy Stakhovsky to reach the ATP Nice Open final.

At the French Open, Baker defeated former world No. 19 Xavier Malisse in straight sets in round one, before falling in a five-set thriller to No. 11 seed Gilles Simon.

Brian resides in Nashville.