FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Thursday, September 10, 2009

Isakson Cheers 17-Year-Old Marietta Tennis Star Melanie Oudin
‘She Will Soon Rise to Number One’

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Johnny Isakson, R-Ga., today paid tribute on the Senate floor to tennis star Melanie Oudin, the 17-year-old Marietta, Ga., native who wowed the nation over the past two weeks by defeating higher-ranked players to reach the quarterfinals of the U.S. Open tournament.

“I pay tribute to the First Lady of my hometown, Ms. Melanie Oudin,” said Isakson, who also lives in Marietta.

“She has a pair of tennis shoes that have the word “BELIEVE” on them. She started competing in tennis years ago, and she was thought to be pretty good. So her parents from the seventh grade on, home schooled her so she’d have enough time every day to practice. Well, were they ever correct.”

The 5-foot-6 Oudin started drawing attention earlier this summer when she reached the fourth round at Wimbledon, and along the way defeated the former top-ranked player in the world, Jelena Jankovic.

“She made all the newspapers, all the sports shows. But was she a flash in the pan? No,” Isakson said. “What happened this last couple of weeks in New York at the U.S. Open proved this girl is the real deal.”

Oudin advanced to the quarter finals of the U.S. Open, including a win over another former top-ranked player in the world, Maria Sharapova. Oudin was eliminated Wednesday evening by Caroline Wozniacki. Still, Oudin’s world ranking is expected to rise from 70th to about 45th after her U.S. Open performance.

“I’m confident that with her dedication and commitment, she will soon rise to Number One,” Isakson said. “She will eventually get to the top because she believes, she’s committed and she’s dedicated, and she has the support and love of a great family.”

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