Name: Melanie Oudin
DOB: September 23, 1991
Residence: Marietta, Georgia USA
Height: 5' 6
Plays: Right-handed, one-handed backhand
Turn pro: 2008
Racquet: TBA
Melanie Oudin is a professional tennis player who was born on September 23, 1991. She is currently looked upon as a rising tennis star with lots of potential, which she has proven through her showings at the U.S. Open and Wimbledon. Melanie and her sister Katherine were both exposed to the sport of tennis through their grandmother at the early ages of 7.
Melanie developed extremely fast – she had already decided to turn professional by age 9. According to The New York Times, she once told her mother, “I’m going to be on those courts by the time I’m 16”. Melanie has no doubt spent most of her life training, which is why it is not surprising to hear that she was home-schooled since the seventh grade.
During her junior year, Melanie boasted a record of 92 wins and 29 losses as a player of the International Tennis Federation, otherwise known as the ITF. In addition, she competed at the junior level U.S. Open and Wimbledon. By 16 years of age, she had won a $50,000 Lexington event – her very first professional title. In 2008, Melanie was officially named as the top female junior player. She turned pro the very same year.
Thereafter, Melanie competed at the U.S. Open, but was unfortunately defeated in the first round. She experienced the same fate at the 2009 Australian Open, but got back to her feet at the 2009 Wimbledon. There, she reached the fourth round, which subsequently increased her ranking. She finally became a part of the top 100 professional women’s players. Currently, she holds the No. 70 spot.
Melanie has had a strong performance thus far at the 2009 U.S. Open. She has defeated several notable players such as Elena Dementieva and Maria Sharapova, who are both Russian players at the top of the tennis world. Melanie’s willpower and positive attitude have undoubtedly captured the hearts of her audience.