The John McEnroe Tennis Academy announced that longtime student and the 2015 NCAA Division I Women’s Tennis Champion Jamie Loeb has elected to forego her final two years of NCAA eligibility at the University of North Carolina and turn pro. Loeb, from Ossining, N.Y., will take on 4th-seeded Caroline Wozniacki of Denmark next week in the first round of the US Open, after receiving a main draw wild card.
Loeb will continue to train at the John McEnroe Tennis Academy when she is not on the road competing. In addition to JMTA, Loeb’s pro career is being launched with generous support from Fila, and from Solinco. John McEnroe Tennis Academy namesake and 1978 NCAA men’s champion John McEnroe said “I believe the U.S. collegiate tennis is a great training ground for aspiring young players. I am very pleased that after proving herself at JMTA, Jamie spent two successful years at UNC. And with Jamie having been a dominant player at the NCAA Division I level, I am fully supportive of her move into the pros. I am expecting big things from her.”
Loeb, who was the UNC Athlete of the Year and ACC Women’s Tennis Player of the Year in her second year in Chapel Hill after ranking No. 1 in the country as a freshman, seeded No. 7 in the NCAA Championships, closed out Carol Zhao of Stanford, 6-2, 4-6, 6-1 in the final for her fifth three-set win in her six matches in Waco, Texas in May.
“After taking college tennis by storm, we are very excited for Jamie to join the pro tour, and pleased that her first official match as a pro will be the first round of the US Open main draw”, said JMTA Managing Director Bennett Schlansky. “She is a terrific player and competitor, and we believe she is poised for great success on the tour.”
The 20-year old is coached by JMTA Associate Director Felix Alvarado. She won the $25K El Paso, Texas, singles title and was the doubles champion at Stockton, Calif., both last month.