Rollins College

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2008

Joining the professional circuit in 1980 after capturing the national collegiate singles crown, Wendy White (b. 1960) remains the only woman to turn pro and to continue to attend college and graduate on time.

Introduced to tennis at summer camp as an 8-year-old, White became a dominant junior player in her native Georgia and on the sectional and national levels. Between 1977–78, she won or was a finalist in more than 30 national junior and amateur championships. In 1978, White received a full scholarship to Rollins College and in 1980 was named Collegiate Player of the Year by Tennis Magazine.

A versatile all-court player, White ranked as high as No. 22 in singles and No. 18 in doubles as a pro, competing in all four Grand Slams and scoring victories over some of the game’s legends, including two wins against Billie Jean King. Continuing to play and coach after retiring in 1992, White has been active for many years in the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. The U.S. Professional Tennis Registry recognized her as the Player of the Decade in 2000, and the following year she was inducted into the USTA Southern Hall of Fame.

Other 2008 Inductees