Melanie Oudin: a name you want to remember (图)

Melanie Oudin是当今全美网球

以下转录

18岁级别排行第一。3年前的访谈记录。

Melanie Oudin 13 years old (Date of Birth: 9/23/1991)

Six weeks before her 14 birthday, unseeded Melanie Oudin managed to create a stunning five upsets at the Barnes Tennis Center. First to go was No. 17 Laurianne Henry in the third round followed by No. 21 Marianna Khachatrya in the round of 16. Melanie fell to top seeded Reka Zsilinszka in the quarterfinals, 6-4,6-1, but then went on to beat three more seeds in the Feed In Consolation, including a three-set win over No. 12 Shinann Featherston in the finals.

Melanie Oudin's road to the USTA National Hardcourts was not without notice. This year alone she was a singles finalist and doubles semifinalist (with Olivia Maurice) at the Southern Open; a quarterfinalist at the Peach State and the May National Open in Georgia; a finalist at the Chanda Rubin Louisiana and K-Swiss Championships; and a winner at the February National Open in Alabama. In fact, Melanie has been placing in the top eight of multiple USTA national tournaments every year since 2003 -- when she was only 11 years old!

I sat down with Melanie at the Barnes Tennis Center just after her win in the consolation finals. She is a bright and happy 13 year old who has certainly not succumbed to any pressure.

* * *

Q: Did you feel at all intimidated during this tournament since you are only 13?
A: "Well, it's always been like that. I don't give that consideration. It doesn't matter how big you are, it's who is the better player."

Q: How long have you been playing in the 16s?
A: "For the past year."

Q: What has been your best win?
A: "At this tournament (Girls' 16 USTA National Hardcourts) against Laurianne Henry. She's the seventh seed here and top ten in the nation in the 16s."

Q: What tournament did you have the most fun at?
A: "I live in Georgia and there's a qualifier every year in Macon. Everybody from our tennis club goes and all my friends are there so it's really fun."Q: Is there a tournament you haven't played yet that you really want to?
A: "I want to play the U.S. Open Juniors. I'm going to try to get in next year. My coach is entering me this year, but I don't think I'll get in. Next year, definitely.*"

Q: Have you thought at all about your future? Are you interested in playing college tennis?
A: "I would hope to turn pro when I get a little older. I want to do more ITFs first."

Q: Does anyone else in your family play tennis?
A: "My mom played a little bit in college."

Q: Do you have any brothers or sisters?
A: "I am a twin actually. I have a twin sister and a little sister."

Q: Does your twin sister play tennis?
A: "Yes, she does, but she doesn't do the really big tournaments. She just does the local and the Southern."

Q: Do you play any other sports?
A: "I like soccer, but tennis takes up most of my time"

Q: What tournament are you going to after this?
A: "I'm going to the U.S. Open to watch and then to an ITF in Georgia."

Q: What else do you do in your spare time?
A: "I like to hang out with my friends when I'm not playing tennis. And playing with my sisters. We've got a ping pong table. We play that and go to the movies."

Q: At what age did you start playing tennis?
A: "When I was about seven, I think."

Q: Where do you train?
A: "At Riverside Tennis Academy in Atlanta."

Q: With anyone in particular?
A: "Just a bunch of boys and girls."

*Melanie Oudin has been given a wildcard into the Junior Open Qualifying.

August, 2005 by Marcia Frost

Here's a name you want to remember... Melanie Oudin. Though the Georgian teen has certainly had good results and high rankings every year, she made herself known at the Girls' 16 USTA National Hardcourts.