A fixture behind the scenes for American ladies’s tennis for the final 18 years, Kathy Rinaldi has stepped down from her place as Head of Ladies’s Tennis on the USTA.
A former World No. 7 in singles, Rinaldi additionally performed a distinguished position with the USTA after her enjoying profession. She served as Billie Jean King Cup captain from 2017 to 2023, and was the U.S. ladies’s tennis coach at each the 2020 and 2024 Olympic Video games.
Rinaldi grew to become a beloved guiding power for American ladies’s tennis throughout her practically twenty years with the USTA. She was a continuing presence across the grounds at majors and tour occasions, supporting gamers and providing steering each time wanted.
“After 18 years with the USTA, I’m crammed with gratitude and I’ve determined to step down from my present place as head of ladies’s tennis,” she posted on Instagram. “This journey has meant extra to me than I can absolutely specific. It has been a calling, an honor, and a chance to serve the game and the individuals who make it what it’s, the best sport on the planet.
“I depart with deep appreciation for the belief positioned in me, the teachings I’ve carried with me, and the relationships I’ll at all times worth and treasure. Each day I got here to work with a way of function, understanding that what we constructed collectively mattered far past the job description.”
Her Instagram publish was flooded with effectively needs, love and respect – a testomony to the job she has carried out and the adoration that almost all of gamers really feel for her.
“Kathy, you actually went above and past your job in mentoring, teaching, and supporting feminine American gamers,” commented American icon Chris Evert. “You weren’t solely there for the youthful technology, but in addition for us, the older technology. For a lot of, you had been essentially the most valued and beloved chief the USTA has ever had. They had been very fortunate to have you ever. All of us love and recognize you.”
It summed up Rinaldi’s legacy completely.
The 59-year-old guided Workforce USA to the Billie Jean King Cup title in her first 12 months as captain in 2017.
It also needs to be famous that American tennis transitioned impressively into the post-Serena Williams period with Rinaldi serving to cleared the path. What might have been a tough transitional interval as a substitute grew to become one other profitable chapter for the American ladies. There might by no means be one other Serena, however the USA stays one of many sport’s premier forces with out the GOAT driving the bus.
Credit score the nation’s wealthy tennis custom, however don’t neglect to present Rinaldi her due. Her diligence, management and maternal presence proved invaluable for generations of American gamers.
