Issue link: http://itf.uberflip.com/i/867059
GIRL ON FIRE I t is said that when a person is born into a wealthy family they are born with a silver spoon in their mouth. Similarly, if someone is born into a tennis family they often are born with a racket in their hand. That is the story of 15-year-old Whitney Osuigwe, whose dad, Desmond, has been a teaching pro at the IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida since before she was born. Raised under the tutelage of dad, as well as the likes of Nick Bollettieri and other coaches at the facility, Osuigwe took a giant leap in the world of junior tennis this season. Clearly a fan of clay, Osuigwe started the season by winning two prestigious Grade 1 South American titles — the Asuncion Bowl in Paraguay and the Banana Bowl in Brazil. By the time she arrived at Roland Garros in June, only the second Grand Slam junior tournament of her career, she was primed to make her mark. As the seventh seed, Osuigwe took on sixth seed Claire Liu in the first all-American final at Roland Garros since Kathy Horvath defeated Kelly Henry in 1980. It would require five match points before Osuigwe defeated Liu 64 67(5) 63 in the 2-hour-7- minute final. Osuigwe's distinction was to become the first American girl since Jennifer Capriati in 1989 to win the title on the grandest red clay courts in the world. "Yeah, I was really excited," said Osuigwe, a quiet sort, after her win in Paris. "It's good that all my hard work finally paid off. Claire is a tough opponent. She took it to three." When Osuigwe arrived back in Florida, the IMG Academy feted her in the manner befitting a Grand Slam champion. The audio system blared her favorite tune — 'Girl On Fire' by Alicia Keys — and the coaching staff lined up to create an arch of tennis rackets for her to walk under. Although as a young child she wasn't the tallest or strongest player at the academy, she had a natural gift for the game and a competitor's determination. By the time she was six, Whitney was beating her older brother, DeAndre, three years her senior, which signalled her future in the game. Osuigwe went on to journey to the Wimbledon girls quarterfinals in July. ITFWORLD SUMMER 2017 23