Brienne Alexandra Minor (born November 25, 1997) is an American tennis player who played her college career at the University of Michigan. On May 29, 2017, she won the 2017 NCAA Division I Women's Tennis Championships, becoming the first African-American woman to win the singles title.[2][3] This victory also secured Minor a spot in the main draw of the 2017 US Open as a wildcard.[4]
| Country (sports) |  United States |
|---|---|
| Born | November 25, 1997 Mundelein, Illinois, United States |
| Height | 5 ft 8 in (1.73 m)[1] |
| Plays | Right-handed (two-handed backhand) |
| College | University of Michigan |
| Prize money | $53,076 |
| Singles | |
| Career record | 6–16 |
| Highest ranking | No. 907 (September 25, 2017) |
| Grand Slam singles results | |
| US Open | 1R (2017) |
| Doubles | |
| Career record | 8–9 |
| Highest ranking | No. 954 (September 18, 2017) |
Early life and college career
editMinor was raised in Mundelein, Illinois.[5] She began playing tennis at the age of four. Minor attended Carmel High School and during her senior year at Carmel, she went undefeated during the season, winning a state championship in the process.[6][7] On November 13, 2014, she signed her national letter of intent to play collegiate tennis at the University of Michigan.[8] Minor had been ranked as the 15th best recruit in the country.
During her first season with the Wolverines, Minor finished with a 36–10 record.[6] Her performance earned her spots in both the National Collegiate Athletic Association singles and doubles tournaments. She earned all-Big Ten and ITA All-American honors at the end of the season.[6]
Minor capped off her sophomore season by winning the 2017 NCAA Division I Women's singles title, the first in Michigan's history.[3] Minor defeated the Florida's Belinda Woolcock in the final. She was also the first African-American woman to accomplish this feat and the first black athlete to win a singles title since Arthur Ashe in 1965.[3] As it is tradition with American NCAA champions, Minor received a wildcard entry into the 2017 US Open. Minor was also named ITA All-American for the second straight year.[9]
In her major singles debut at the 2017 US Open, Minor lost to Ons Jabeur 1–6, 5–7.
Personal life
editBrienne's parents are Kevin and Michelle Minor.[5] She has two older sisters named Jasmine and Kristina. Minor is majoring in sports management.[6] As a big fan of pop singer Beyoncé, Minor received the nickname "Briyoncé," from best friend Caroline Nonnenmacher.[10]
References
edit- ^ "Career Summary & Highlights - Brienne Minor".
- ^ "DI Women's Tennis Championship: Michigan's Brienne Minor takes singles title". NCAA.com. Retrieved June 23, 2017.
- ^ a b c Wallace, Ava. "She became the first black woman to win an NCAA Division I singles title, and she had no idea". washingtonpost.com. Retrieved June 23, 2017.
- ^ "Brienne Minor is Michigan's first national champ in tennis". detroitnews.com. Retrieved June 23, 2017.
- ^ a b Bembry, Jerry (May 31, 2017). "Michigan's Brienne Minor announces arrival with NCAA tennis title". Andscape. Retrieved June 23, 2017.
- ^ a b c d "Michigan Wolverines Bio". mgoblue.com. Retrieved June 23, 2017.
- ^ McGraw, Patricia Babcock (June 3, 2017). "Carmel grad cherishing her Cinderella tennis story". dailyherald.com. Retrieved June 24, 2017.
- ^ "Michigan Inks Trio to NLIs for 2015-16 Season". mgoblue.com. Retrieved June 23, 2017.
- ^ "Fahey, Minor Honored as ITA All-Americans". mgoblue.com. Retrieved June 24, 2017.
- ^ Kerr, Jon J. (June 2, 2017). "Carmel graduate Brienne Minor wins NCAA singles title at Michigan". chicagotribune.com. Retrieved June 24, 2017.
