Melanie Oudin

Melanie Oudin, 17 year old tennis star from Marietta, Georgia, tore up the 2009 U.S. Open this past summer. She sent home consistent superstars such as currently ranked number 4 Elena Dementieva from Russia along with former number 1 Maria Sharapova also reigning from Russia. The tennis star from Marietta had already received great recognition from the media, but could she advance on through this tournament or were these wins just a little Cinderella story. Well it turns out that she would go on to beat Nadia Petrova, the 13th ranked player also from Russia, in the Fourth Round of the Woman's U.S. Open Draw.

Melanie was then heading on into the quarterfinals which means she she would is one of the final 8 players left in the world of woman's tennis. Even with the hype of the media praising on Melanie and her whole home town in anticipation of her every move, a loss in this round would still be understandable. But, Melanie falls short of advancing on with loss to the number 9th ranked tennis player in the world, Caroline Wozniacki, in straight sets, 6-2, 6-2. Despite the brevity of the match, I still don't think anyone could have written this story any better for Melanie, unless it resulting in being the champion. She went on to tear up the media world covering almost every story line and winning over the hearts of Americans. Her love for the game of tennis is a story that I believe any sports fan and even a non-sports fan can relate with. Her passion for her love, tennis, is something that everyone has, but more than likely that passion lies with something else. Melanie's passion lies with a racket, a ball, and a tennis court. Nothing else matters.