The Future of Women's Tennis lives in Marietta

I recently had a chance to catch up with one of Sports Illustrated's Top 18 under 18 for the next 18 years, Melanie Oudin, tennis phenom.

For most people, realizing what they want to do when they grow up is a long process that some don’t even figure out until they are grown. For sixteen year-old tennis phenom Melanie Oudin, the decision has been made and she’s already a success. Just one week after Oudin appeared in Sports Illustrated as one of the top 15 teens in American sports, the Marietta native won her first professional tournament in Lexington, Kentucky. Oudin, who trains at the RSC Academy under esteemed coach Brian de Villiers, reached No. 2 Junior Girls player in the world and was recently the top seed at the French Open Junior championship. Then after winning seven of ten ITF events, Oudin turned pro and has shot up to No. 232 in the professional ranks.
“It’s not that much different than Juniors,” Oudin said of turning pro. “Only, there’s money now if you win. I don’t think about that though. I play like I’ve always played because I love it.” Now that Oudin is a pro, her day has become drastically different than the typical 16 year-old’s life. A normal day starts with Oudin waking up at 7:30 then training from 11:30 until 4:30 with fitness training continuing into the evening. This is where Oudin, who is only 5’5 works on improving her game so she can tackle taller players. “I’m quick, that’s one of my strengths, so I hit all types of shots in practice.” Her coach de Villiers notes that she works hard and has wanted to go pro since she was nine years old. “You see the ones willing to put in the work, make the sacrifices and reach the goals. She is one of them.”
Due to Oudin’s age, she can only play in 13 tournaments this year and 17 next year. This restriction hasn’t stopped her though from seeking a wild card to this summer’s US Open, the grand slam event that Oudin has called her favorite. “New York is pretty cool itself and the event is nicely set up.” According to de Villiers pros can only gain entrance into qualifying rounds if they are ranked in the top 200-220, and Oudin is right on the cusp of that special number. If a wild card spot doesn’t come, the player and coach will still head to NYC for the US Open juniors, likely Oudin’s last event as a junior player.
As for the future, the sky is the limit. Oudin says that she’d love to compete for the Fed Cup and while she hasn’t thought about the Olympics in 2012, “that would be awesome.” Her coach knows she will be successful, as di Villiers says of Oudin, “I’ve always had a long-term plan for her and it’s started clicking.” If things keep clicking, Oudin may be the one to carry the mantle of best American player into the next decade.