Melanie Oudin American tennis player

Melanie Oudin

Melanie Oudin

Melanie Oudin

Melanie Oudin

Melanie Oudin

Melanie Oudin

Melanie Oudin (born September 23, 1991 in Marietta, Georgia, United States) is an American tennis player and former World Junior No. 2. Her career high rank is World No. 31, which she achieved on April 19, 2010.

Personal life

Oudin is of French descent and has a twin sister, Katherine, and a younger sister, Christina. She was home schooled from seventh grade on so that she could have more time for tennis practice, but admits envying her twin sister's experiences at a regular school. She says her idol is Justine Henin because "she proved you don't have to be tall to win things." Her grandmother inspired her and her sister to play tennis when she gave them racquets and lessons when they were young

Playing style

Oudin is a defensive counterpuncher. She uses her speed and footwork to get balls back from the other side of the court. Her best shot is her forehand which she can really hit with power. Her slice backhand is basically defensive but accurate. Oudin can get any ball near the service line or close to the baseline which gives her more speed and power on her shots. Good dropshot and clean volley are useful assets in her game as well.

Fed Cup

Oudin played singles in the United States' Fed Cup tie against Argentina in February 2009, losing her first match against Gisela Dulko but winning the second match against Betina Jozami in three sets. In November 2009, Oudin won both of her matches (against Flavia Pennetta and Francesca Schiavone) in the championship round of the 2009 Fed Cup.

In the 2010 Fed Cup, Oudin led the USA to a 4–1 victory over France by defeating Pauline Parmentier and Julie Coin. Against Russia, Oudin then defeated Alla Kudryavtseva in her first singles match while losing to Elena Dementieva in her second match. Her team still advanced to the final in San Diego. Contrary to expectations, lower ranked Coco Vandeweghe was chosen over Oudin for the first singles match against Francesca Schiavone. After the US team lost both matches on the first day, Oudin replaced Bethanie Mattek-Sands for the third singles match against Schiavone and won 6–3, 6–1. This kept her team in contention but proved futile since Vandeweghe lost the next match against Flavia Pennetta. In the 2011 Fed Cup World Group tie against Belgium, Oudin lost both her singles matches against Kim Clijsters and Yanina Wickmayer. In April, she equally lost her two matches in the 2011 Fed Cup World Group Play-offs where the US dropped out of the World Group for the first time since its formation in 1995.