09/12/2026
🎾 As the tennis world turns its attention to the US Open, Duke Doctor of Physical Therapy alum Laura Yeager is helping support athlete health and performance on one of the sport's biggest stages.
Today, Yeager serves as Manager, Athletic Medicine for the United States Tennis Association - USTA (Official), a role she says her younger self never could have imagined: "If you had told the shy kid who loved sports that I would one day support the greatest athletes in the world, I wouldn't have believed it," she said. "My path into sports medicine was anything but linear."
That path has led her around the world alongside elite medical teams, courtside at Grand Slam tournaments, and behind the scenes at some of tennis's most memorable moments. But even amid the excitement of professional sports, Yeager says success comes down to the fundamentals.
"Preparation, seamless communication, and teamwork are vital for any high-stakes event," she said. "Being part of an iconic global event like the US Open is a privilege, and it's a constant reminder of the high level of care and precision required when the whole world is watching."
Yeager credits Duke with helping shape her approach to both patient care and leadership. While she values the academic preparation she received, she says the relationships she built have had the most lasting impact.
"Years later, I still call my Duke mentors to consult on complex cases, collaborate on projects, and seek advice," she said. "The values of mentorship and lifelong learning I absorbed at Duke directly shape how I lead and care for patients every day."
For current Duke DPT students hoping to follow a similar path, her advice is simple: "Get into the training room as early and as often as you can! Take full advantage of the amazing faculty around you, volunteer for hands-on opportunities, constantly practice your clinical skills, and don't hesitate to reach out to clinicians in the field. Sports medicine is a tight-knit community, and we are all here to support and lift up the next generation of Duke grads." 🎾
