# Melanie Oudin

> American tennis player

**Wikidata**: [Q30787](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q30787)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Melanie_Oudin)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/melanie-oudin

## Summary

Melanie Oudin is an American former professional tennis player who reached a career-high WTA singles ranking of No. 31 in 2010. Known for her gritty baseline play and upset victories over top-ranked opponents, including a stunning win over Serena Williams at the 2009 US Open, Oudin won two WTA singles titles and four ITF singles titles over a career that spanned from 2008 to 2017, earning $1,535,204 in prize money.

## Biography

- **Born**: September 23, 1991
- **Nationality**: United States
- **Full Name**: Melanie Jennings Oudin
- **Height**: 168 cm (5 ft 6 in)
- **Weight**: 59 kg (130 lbs)
- **Plays**: Right-handed (two-handed backhand)
- **Career Win-Loss (WTA main draws)**: 76–94
- **Career Win-Loss (including ITF/futures)**: 245–202
- **Highest WTA Singles Ranking**: No. 31 (2010)
- **Lowest WTA Singles Ranking**: No. 125
- **WTA Singles Titles**: 2
- **ITF Singles Titles**: 4
- **Career Prize Money**: $1,535,204
- **Retired**: August 18, 2017

## Contributions

Melanie Oudin's professional tennis career produced several notable accomplishments:

- **WTA Singles Titles**: Won 2 WTA titles during her career
- **ITF Circuit Success**: Captured 4 ITF singles titles
- **Career-High Ranking**: Reached WTA singles ranking of No. 31 in 2010
- **Grand Slam Performances**: Reached the fourth round of the 2009 US Open as a qualifier, defeating multiple top-50 players
- **Upset Victory over Serena Williams**: At the 2009 US Open, Oudin defeated then-world No. 2 Serena Williams in the third round, 6-4, 6-3, one of the most notable upsets in US Open history
- **Olympic Participation**: Represented the United States at the 2012 London Olympics

## FAQs

**What is Melanie Oudin best known for?**
Melanie Oudin is best known for her upset victory over Serena Williams at the 2009 US Open, where she defeated the world No. 2 in straight sets, and for reaching a career-high WTA ranking of No. 31 in 2010.

**How many WTA titles did Melanie Oudin win?**
Melanie Oudin won 2 WTA singles titles during her professional career.

**When did Melanie Oudin retire from professional tennis?**
Melanie Oudin retired from professional tennis on August 18, 2017.

**What was Melanie Oudin's highest tennis ranking?**
Melanie Oudin's highest WTA singles ranking was No. 31, achieved in 2010.

**How much prize money did Melanie Oudin earn in her career?**
Melanie Oudin earned $1,535,204 in prize money over the course of her professional tennis career.

**What major tournament performance made Melanie Oudin famous?**
Oudin's run to the fourth round of the 2009 US Open as a qualifier, where she defeated Serena Williams in the third round, was the defining moment of her career and made her a household name in tennis.

## Why They Matter

Melanie Oudin matters in tennis history for several significant reasons. Her victory over Serena Williams at the 2009 US Open stands as one of the most memorable upsets in Grand Slam history, demonstrating that any player can defeat anyone on a given day. Her run to the fourth round that year, coming through qualifying, inspired other American players and showed the depth of talent in U.S. tennis. Oudin's career demonstrated the challenges faced by American players trying to establish themselves on the WTA Tour, and her perseverance through injuries and inconsistent results provided a realistic picture of professional tennis beyond the headline-making champions. Her Olympic participation in 2012 represented the pinnacle of her international career for Team USA.

## Notable For

- Upset victory over Serena Williams at the 2009 US Open (6-4, 6-3)
- Career-high WTA singles ranking of No. 31 (2010)
- Two WTA singles titles
- Four ITF singles titles
- Fourth-round appearance at the 2009 US Open (as a qualifier)
- Represented United States at 2012 London Olympics
- $1,535,204 in career prize money
- Known for her tenacious baseline play and competitive spirit

## Body

### Early Career and Rise (2008-2009)

Melanie Oudin began her professional tennis career in 2008, competing primarily on the ITF Circuit where she won four singles titles. Her aggressive baseline game and fighting spirit quickly helped her transition to the WTA Tour. In 2009, Oudin broke through in a major way at the US Open, coming through qualifying to reach the main draw and then defeating a series of higher-ranked opponents.

### Breakthrough: 2009 US Open

The 2009 US Open became the defining tournament of Oudin's career. As a qualifier, she advanced to the third round where she faced world No. 2 Serena Williams. Oudin stunned the tennis world by defeating the 11-time Grand Slam champion 6-4, 6-3 in front of a stunned Arthur Ashe Stadium crowd. The victory was considered one of the biggest upsets in US Open history. She subsequently reached the fourth round before falling to eventual champion Kim Clijsters. This performance launched Oudin into the top 100 of the WTA rankings and made her an instant celebrity in American tennis.

### Career Peak (2010-2011)

Following her US Open breakthrough, Oudin continued to build her career. In 2010, she achieved her highest WTA singles ranking of No. 31, establishing herself as a consistent top-50 player. She captured two WTA singles titles during her career, adding to her four ITF Circuit victories. Her aggressive playing style, featuring heavy groundstrokes and solid court coverage, made her a dangerous opponent for higher-ranked players.

### Later Career and Olympic Participation

Oudin represented the United States at the 2012 London Olympics, one of the highlights of her later career. As her career progressed, Oudin struggled with consistency and injuries that affected her performance. She continued competing on the WTA Tour through 2017, gradually seeing her ranking decline from her peak of No. 31.

### Retirement

Melanie Oudin officially retired from professional tennis on August 18, 2017, concluding a career that spanned nearly a decade at the highest levels of women's tennis. At the time of her retirement, she had accumulated a career win-loss record of 76–94 in WTA main draws (245–202 including ITF and futures tournaments) and earned $1,535,204 in prize money.

### Playing Style and Physical Profile

Oudin stood at 168 cm (5 ft 6 in) and weighed 59 kg (130 lbs). She played right-handed with a two-handed backhand. Her game was built on solid baseline rallying, consistent depth, and competitive toughness. While not possessing the raw power of some of her contemporaries, Oudin made up for it with her tenacity and ability to retrieve balls and force errors from opponents.

### Post-Retirement

Following her retirement from professional tennis, Oudin transitioned away from the public eye. She maintained a presence on social media, with accounts on Twitter (@melanie_oudin), Facebook (MelanieOudin), and Instagram (@melanie-oudin/800268122/usa). Her official website, MelanieOudin.com, served as a hub for fans and tennis enthusiasts to follow her career.

## References

1. Tennis Temple
2. WTA website
3. Česko-Slovenská filmová databáze
4. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
5. ITF website