Charleston native Anne White instructs Molly Grimm, 11, during a clinic at the Charleston Tennis Club Monday.
CHARLESTON, W.Va. — A group of up-and-coming tennis players got to learn from one of the best Monday afternoon as Charleston native and former professional player Anne White held a clinic at the Charleston Tennis Club.
“It’s phenomenal,” said White of being able to teach tennis in her old stomping grounds.
“This club means so much to me and it’s kind of surreal, in a way, because it doesn’t seem like it was that long ago that my mom was dropping me off every day here in the morning and I’d stay all day in the summer and hit balls. It’s really, really great, really special.”
White was a two-time All-American at the University of Southern California and spent eight years on the Women’s Tennis Association Tour, reaching career-high world rankings of No. 19 in singles and No. 9 in doubles. Prior to her time at Southern Cal, White spent one semester at George Washington before heading to Florida to train with famed tennis coach Nick Bollettieri.
“When we talked, it was awesome because she talked about starting her career here, starting in camps, clinics, hitting on the wall here,” said CTC general manager Shari Reed. “Then she went on to a pro career and played in all of the Grand Slams. It’s just a way for her to talk to kids in her club and show them that you can make it out of Charleston and make it on the tour.”
White spent the morning speaking at the CTC’s summer camp, before hosting an advanced junior clinic in the afternoon, often taking the time to give instruction.
