Seven national titles, top ten finishes in the final national rankings two years in a row in singles and doubles... When you hear those stats you can probably think of a number of junior tennis players who might fit the description, but only one is 12 years old and that phenom is Grace Min.
At the young age of 12, Grace Min has won major national championships in singles, doubles and even mixed doubles. The Georgian won her first at only ten years old and kept it going from there. Grace has won a number of National Opens, as well as the 12s National Hardcourts doubles in 2005 (with Lauren Herring), where she was a singles finalist. She also made the finals of the doubles (with Alexandra Clay) and semifinals of the singles of the 2006 event. In fact, she gracefully made the transition into the 14s and finished 2006 ranked No. 6 nationally in singles and No. 4 in doubles with Alexandra.
The most recent accomplishment for Grace Min was the Mixed Doubles trophy at the Eddie Herr Internationals with Emmett Egger. As impressed as I was with her tennis (and, of course, Emmett's) I couldn't believe how much fun she had out there while winning. It was difficult for me to drag myself away from the match and pay attention to the 18s finals and I couldn't wait to sit down for a conversation, where she was just as bubbly as she was on the court.
by Marcia Frost
