Unlocking Legends: USTA Mid-Atlantic's Tribute to Trailblazing Women

March is Women's History Month, a time to honor and celebrate the countless contributions and achievements of women throughout history. USTA Mid-Atlantic is celebrating by spotlighting the remarkable women that are using tennis to build character, community, and well-being in the Mid-Atlantic. In this spotlight, we honor five extraordinary players whose impact extends far beyond the Mid-Atlantic, inspiring generations of athletes and fans alike.

Hailey Baptiste

From Washington, D.C., and trained at the Junior Tennis Champions Center (JTCC) in College Park, Md., Hailey Baptiste has made waves in tennis. At 16, she won the 2018 Easter Bowl Girls’ 18 doubles title and reached the 2018 US Open girl’s doubles final. Turning pro at 17, Baptiste made headlines by defeating No. 2 seed Madison Keys at the 2019 Citi Open in her WTA main-draw singles debut. She secured her first three professional titles at ITF events that same year. Notable accomplishments include reaching the second round at the 2021 French Open and the 2022 Australian Open in singles and claiming two doubles titles, one at the 2021 Charleston WTA tournament and another at a 2022 ITF event in Orlando. In 2022, she reached the second round in doubles at the US Open. Baptiste attained career-high rankings of No. 119 in singles and No. 127 in doubles in 2022, establishing herself as a promising talent in tennis.

Robin Montgomery

Now only 17 years old, Washington, D.C., native Robin Montgomery has made waves across the Mid-Atlantic region. Montgomery began her tennis journey at five, training at the Junior Tennis Champions Center (JTCC) in College Park, Md. Climbing national rankings, she became the No. 1 junior girl, contributing to the U.S. team's 2019 Junior Fed Cup victory. At 15, she won the 2019 Orange Bowl Girls’ 18s singles title. In her final junior tournament at the 2021 US Open, she made history by winning both the girl’s singles and doubles titles, also competing in the women’s doubles. Transitioning to the pro circuit, Montgomery has secured two ITF singles titles and three ITF doubles titles by 2023, affirming her status as a rising tennis talent.

Clervie Ngounoue

Introduced to the sport at the age of three, Clervie Ngounoué early exposure to tennis was influenced by watching her father teach her older sister how to play. Growing up in the Mid-Atlantic region, Clervie initiated her tennis journey at the Metropolitan Tennis & Education Group in Silver Spring, Maryland. Progressing through the ranks, she became a member of the USTA’s Excellence Program, a platform that identifies and trains NJTL youth with exceptional tennis skills, academic achievements, and a commitment to the pathway of becoming student-athletes at collegiate and professional levels. Over the years, Clervie's accomplishments have been impressive, ranging from winning the Orange Bowl U12 in 2018 to achieving the title of Grand Slam Girls’ Doubles Champion in 2022. Notably, in 2023, she earned a wild card to the Main Draw of the US Open and made history by securing her first junior Grand Slam singles title at Wimbledon. Clervie's ascent in the tennis world underscores her dedication and prowess on the court.

Megan Moulton-Levy

Megan Moulton-Levy, a native of Grosse Pointe, Mich., embarked on a remarkable journey in the world of tennis. During her tenure at the College of William & Mary in Williamsburg, Va., she cemented her legacy as a six-time All-American, excelling equally in singles and doubles with three accolades in each category. Her skillfulness on the court was evident as she reached the NCAA women’s singles semifinals in 2006 and the doubles final in 2007, accumulating a staggering 249 combined victories in singles and doubles, a record still unmatched in school history. Transitioning to the professional circuit from 2008 to 2016, Moulton-Levy left a lasting mark, clinching the WTA Monterrey doubles championship in 2014 and securing ten ITF doubles titles, achieving a career-high doubles ranking of No. 50. Additionally, she attained a singles ranking peak of No. 237, clinching an ITF singles title along the way. In 2016, she transitioned to coaching, joining the Junior Tennis Champion Center in College Park, Md., as a Senior Coach, and subsequently, in 2019, assuming the role of General Manager of Player Development at the JTTC, a high-performance program renowned for nurturing professional talents like Hailey Baptiste, Denis Kudla, Robin Montgomery, and Frances Tiafoe. Currently serving a second term as an Elite Athlete on the USTA Board of Directors, Moulton-Levy continues to inspire and shape the future of tennis.

Pam Shriver

Pam Shriver, from Lutherville, Md., made a remarkable entrance into tennis, winning the 1977 Easter Bowl Girls’ 16s title at just fourteen. A year later, she claimed her first professional title, setting the stage for her standout debut at the 1978 US Open, where, at sixteen, she reached the women’s singles final after defeating Martina Navratilova in the semifinals. Throughout her career, Shriver excelled in doubles, particularly with Navratilova, winning 74 titles together, including 20 majors. She also secured 21 singles titles and achieved a No. 3 singles ranking. After retiring, she transitioned to a successful broadcasting career with ESPN. Inducted into the USTA Mid-Atlantic Tennis Hall of Fame in 1990 and the International Tennis Hall of Fame in 2002, Shriver continues to be celebrated for her contributions to the sport. She hosted the USTA Mid-Atlantic Foundation’s Centennial Gala in December 2023, marking 100 years of tennis excellence in the region.

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USTA Mid-Atlantic Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization committed to promoting tennis and its physical, social, and emotional health benefits. Learn about our impact in the region and how USTA Mid-Atlantic creates community, character, and well-being.