At NC State and on the pro circuit, Alexander Boyd Andrews IV built a rewarding tennis career that extended well beyond the court.
by A.J. Carr | photography by Mehmet Demirci

Alexander Boyd Andrews IV got his first tennis racquet, a wooden Davis Classic, when he was 9 years old. It was more than a gift. It was a “key,” he says, that unlocked his athletic talent and started him on the path from the Carolina Country Club to a rewarding tennis career. It was also a sign of strong backing from his parents, who adopted him at birth, in all of his athletic endeavors. “They were not sports nuts, but they kept supporting me,” said Andrews, who was an All-Conference high school soccer player, but a better tennis player.

With lessons from teaching pro J.W. Isenhour, plus an abundance of practice, “Andy” Andrews won an age group state title as a 12-year-old and earned a top 15 national Junior ranking. “I fell in love with it,” Andrews says — and the sport loved him back. He went on to win at Ravenscroft School, Woodberry Forest, North Carolina State University and on the pro tour.

Today Andrews, founder and executive chairman of Dominion Realty Partners, is well known as a major developer of multiple projects. But he’s still remembered by tennis old-timers.

From 1978 through 1981, Andrews helped the Wolfpack win two Atlantic Coast Conference team tennis championships. Individually, he claimed five league titles (two singles, three doubles) and earned All-America honors two of those years. While admittedly “slow afoot,” he vexed opponents with a strong serve, formidable forehand, sharp volleying skills and a flaming competitive spirit.

For those achievements, Andrews was voted one of the top 50 players during the first five decades of the Atlantic Coast Conference. That almost didn’t happen at State. Growing up an avid fan of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, he committed to play for the Tar Heels, believing he would be starting at No. 5 singles as a freshman. But when ready to officially sign, he discovered that the No. 5 slot had been filled.

“I was heartbroken,’’ says Andrews, who decided to instead play for Isenhour, who was a coach at NC State. Over the course of his college career, Andrews earned a 26-0 record against UNC in singles, doubles and team matches, combined across four seasons. One “shining moment” came in a championship title match between the two rivals, when he stroked the winning shot.

Afterwards, Andrews remembers UNC coach Don Skakle offering him congratulations and admitting he “made a mistake.” Andrews’ response: “Yes, you did!” Success came from countless hours of sweat as well as skill. Isenhour scheduled 5:30 a.m. preseason conditioning workouts and team practices in the afternoon. In one year, Andrews grew from a 158-pound lightweight to a solid 178-pound swinger.

Andrews’ doubles partner, John Sadri — a player that would gain a No. 14 world singles ranking — also helped him develop. “John taught me the definition of hard work,” says Andrews. “He made me hit 100 serves every day before we ate supper.”

It was a close-knit group, those Wolfpack players, and they have remained tight over the decades, staying in touch with each other and their beloved coach, whom they called “J.W.,” and who Andrews has known for 54 years.

“Andy was a team player and took responsibility when it was time,” Isenhour says. “Whatever situation he was in, he made those around him better.”

After finishing up his business studies at State, Andrews played four years on the pro circuit and won 19 professional titles worldwide, including three doubles championships with Sadri. As a doubles team, they earned a top 10 ranking and reached the semifinals of the U.S. Open and finals of an Australian Open. In individual competition, Andrews climbed to 37th in the doubles and 78th in singles.

While competing in all the Grand Slams was glamorous, tour life also was grueling. Andrews traveled around the world 20 times, made stops on every continent and spent 42 weeks a year on the road.

Andrews competed hard until suffering a broken hand, a factor that influenced his premature retirement from the tour. “I would do it all over again. It was incredibly rewarding,” he says emphatically.
Andrews has been inducted into the North Carolina Tennis Hall of Fame, Southern Tennis Hall of Fame and George Whitfield Hall of Fame.

Andrews says tennis taught him lessons that help him today in his business. After working his way up with real estate company Daniel Corporation, he started Dominion Realty Partners in 2005. Since then, his Raleigh company has built 80 developments in four states and 12 cities, including 37 in the Triangle.

Along the way, Andrews and Carol, his wife of 36 years, raised two children. Daughter Rhyne worked with Dominion until her death at age 31, following a nine-year battle with cancer. Their son Bo became an all-conference golfer and now is assistant golf coach at the University of Tennessee.

After a hip replacement and two knee procedures, these days Andrews spends more time golfing than playing tennis — but his loyalty to the sport remains. Over the years, he has contributed to the sport in a variety of ways, including fundraising for the renovation of the Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in New York, an indoor tennis facility at NC State (which has been named in his honor) and the N.C. Tennis Foundation Hall of Fame Museum in Greensboro.

Andrews’ philanthropic spirit aligns with Luke 12:48 Bible verse “to whom much is given, much is expected.” “My life would have been very different if I hadn’t been adopted by loving, giving and driving parents,” he says. “I have a lot to be thankful for. Take advantage of your advantage.” 

This article originally appeared in the August 2024 issue of WALTER magazine.