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 retired American tennis player. She was known for her strong skills in both singles and doubles matches. Renee achieved high rankings in professional tennis during her career.
Renee Blount's Tennis Career
Renee Blount was a top tennis player at the UCLA. She was an "All-American" player, meaning she was one of the best college athletes in the United States. She excelled in both singles and doubles tennis.
In 1978, Renee joined the WTA Tour, which is the main professional circuit for women's tennis. She reached a career-high ranking of 63 in singles. For doubles, she climbed even higher, becoming world No. 8.
Renee played in many major tournaments. She competed in the 1978 Australian Open, where she was the fifth seed. She also played in the 1979 US Open and the 1980 US Open.
Making History in Tennis
A special moment for Renee came in 1979. She became the first African American woman to win a professional tennis tournament since Althea Gibson. This happened when she won the Futures of Columbus tournament.
Renee also had great success in Grand Slam events. In 1984, she reached the quarterfinals in women's doubles at Wimbledon. She played with her partner, Janet Newberry.
She also made it to the semifinals in mixed-doubles at the French Open. Renee played against tennis legend Martina Navratilova at the 1980 Australian Open, taking the match to three sets. She competed at Wimbledon five times during her career.
Life After Professional Tennis
After retiring from playing professional tennis, Renee Blount continued to stay involved in the sport. She became an assistant coach at the University of Virginia. Her contributions to tennis were recognized in 1997. That year, she was inducted into the St. Louis Tennis Hall of Fame.
Renee also started the Keswick Tennis Foundation. This foundation helps children with autism and other disabilities. Through tennis, these children can develop important skills. Renee currently coaches at the Keswick Tennis Foundation in Central Virginia.
