Renee Blount facts for kids
| Country (sports) |  United States |
|---|---|
| Born | May 12, 1957 Washington, D.C. |
| Height | 5 ft 4 in (1.63 m) |
| Turned pro | 1978 |
| Plays | Right-handed |
| Prize money | $21,074 |
| Singles | |
| Career record | 23–33 |
| Career titles | 0 |
| Highest ranking | No. 63 |
| Grand Slam singles results | |
| Australian Open | 2R (1978, 1980) |
| French Open | 2R (1981) |
| Wimbledon | 3R (1981) |
| US Open | 2R (1980, 1981) |
| Doubles | |
| Career record | 9–19 |
| Career titles | 0 |
| Highest ranking | No. 8 |
| Grand Slam doubles results | |
| Australian Open | QF (1976) |
| French Open | 2R (1985) |
| Wimbledon | QF (1984) |
| US Open | 2R (1980, 1981, 1985) |
Renee Blount (born May 12, 1957) is a talented American tennis player who competed professionally. She achieved great success in both singles and doubles tennis before retiring.
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Renee Blount's Tennis Career
Renee Blount was a top player during her college years at the UCLA. She was recognized as a No. 1 All-American player in both singles and doubles. This means she was considered one of the best college tennis players in the entire United States.
Joining the Professional Tour
In 1978, Renee joined the WTA Tour, which is the main professional tennis circuit for women around the world. She quickly rose through the ranks. Her highest ranking in singles was No. 63 in the world. In doubles, she reached an impressive world No. 8 ranking.
Grand Slam Appearances
Renee competed in many major tennis tournaments, including the prestigious Grand Slams. She played in the 1978 Australian Open, where she was the fifth seed. She also competed in the 1979 US Open and the 1980 US Open.
Making History in 1979
A very important moment in Renee's career happened in 1979. She won the Futures of Columbus tournament. This was a big deal because she became the first African American woman to win a professional tennis tournament since the legendary player Althea Gibson. This achievement showed her skill and determination.
Doubles Success at Wimbledon
Renee had some of her best results in doubles. In 1984, she reached the quarterfinals at Wimbledon, one of the four Grand Slam tournaments. She teamed up with Janet Newberry. They played against tough opponents, Kathy Jordan and Anne Smith, and had a great run in the tournament.
Renee also reached the semifinals in mixed doubles at the French Open. She competed at Wimbledon five times in total. In 1980, she played a memorable match against the famous player Martina Navratilova at the Australian Open, pushing her to three sets.
Life After Professional Tennis
After her professional tennis career, Renee Blount continued to be involved in the sport. She became an assistant coach at the University of Virginia. Her contributions to tennis were recognized when she was inducted into the St. Louis Tennis Hall of Fame in 1997.
Helping Others Through Tennis
Renee has a passion for helping children. She founded the Keswick Tennis Foundation. This foundation uses tennis to help children with autism and other disabilities. It helps them develop important skills and enjoy the game. Renee currently coaches at the Keswick Tennis Foundation in Central Virginia, sharing her love for tennis and helping young people.
