Kellmeyer's journey now lands her at the doorsteps of the International Tennis Hall of Fame where she will be inducted along with former player Andre Agassi as the Class of 2011 on July 9 in Newport, R.I. Kellmeyer, who became the primary employee and director of the Women's Tennis Association in 1973, is only the third female chosen under the contributor's category in the Hall of Fame's history. "In my wildest dreams I never thought I'd be in this elite group,'' said Kellmeyer on a conference call from Melbourne, where she is working the Australian Open for the WTA. "My heart and soul has been with the WTA since 1973, so it means everything to me.
"I've spent my whole life playing tennis and working in the sport itself. I can't tell you what a great family this sport is. We all sort of help each other and it's been a real skill for me in my life. Tennis has given me so much, and to be able to give something back is really important.'' Kellmeyer spent her formative years honing her skills against older brother Fred Jr. and any other men who would risk their machismo on the Charleston Tennis Club courts."I really credit my brother, Freddie, so much,'' said Kellmeyer. "I just followed him around and it's to his credit I was able to play tennis as well as I did. He had to play with me every day.
"You had a great group of doctors who played tennis. When you're a girl and you start to beat men, sometimes they shy away and they're not very delighted with you, but they played with me every single day and helped me, and never felt taken back if I got better and started to beat them. If I didn't play with the boys and my brother and the men, I never would have gotten any better.'' Those humble early stages turned into a life's work for Kellmeyer, who has led the WTA's operations, player and tournament relations and has been at the center of all major policy decisions.
"I've spent my whole life playing tennis and working in the sport itself. I can't tell you what a great family this sport is. We all sort of help each other and it's been a real skill for me in my life. Tennis has given me so much, and to be able to give something back is really important.'' Kellmeyer spent her formative years honing her skills against older brother Fred Jr. and any other men who would risk their machismo on the Charleston Tennis Club courts."I really credit my brother, Freddie, so much,'' said Kellmeyer. "I just followed him around and it's to his credit I was able to play tennis as well as I did. He had to play with me every day.
"You had a great group of doctors who played tennis. When you're a girl and you start to beat men, sometimes they shy away and they're not very delighted with you, but they played with me every single day and helped me, and never felt taken back if I got better and started to beat them. If I didn't play with the boys and my brother and the men, I never would have gotten any better.'' Those humble early stages turned into a life's work for Kellmeyer, who has led the WTA's operations, player and tournament relations and has been at the center of all major policy decisions.
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