Jamie Loeb Local Tennis Star

Westchester native Jamie Loeb was a sophomore at the University of North Carolina (UNC) when she won the 2015 National Collegiate Athletic Association Women’s Single’s Tennis Championship, making her the first woman in UNC history to do so, as well as ensuring her a spot at the U.S. Open.

Even though Loeb decided to turn pro just weeks before the U.S. Open she says she will certainly miss the college atmosphere. “I’ll miss my social circle and my tennis teammates, but from a tennis perspective, if I want to be the best tennis player that I can be turning pro now is the right thing to do,” she says.

Westchester Born and Bred

Loeb, now 20 years old, grew up playing tennis at Club Fit in Briarcliff, just a short drive from her family home in Ossining. “We were pretty much a tennis family,” says Loeb, the youngest of four children who all excelled in sports. “My mom basically taught herself tennis and would take me along to the Club when I was just a baby and I’d watch her play,” she says.

Her dad is also a baseball enthusiast and her siblings played tennis, soccer and basketball, but Loeb was always dedicated just to tennis. She spent a lot of time and hard work developing her game. In fact, she’s been playing since she was 3 years old. By the age of 13 she considered making it her profession.

To do that required some serious competitive training. Her efforts paid off when she won the New York State Championship as a sophomore at Ossining High School. “I was really proud to represent my high school,” she says.

That’s not saying there weren’t challenges. The game always offers challenge, but so does trying to balance tennis and school work. “Yes, there were times I was overwhelmed,” says Loeb. “But you have to learn how to take productive breaks and create a little time for yourself.”

She learned to stay organized and use time management skills to help her meet the demands of her sport and school work. “I would schedule things in advance, but if things changed and I couldn’t control it I have learned not to let it overwhelm me.”

The Big Time

When Loeb walked onto the historic hardcourts this past summer to play her first U.S. Open match against 25-year-old Caroline Wozniacki of Denmark, the former world No. 1 Player and U.S. Open runner-up in 2009 and 2014, it was an amazing experience.

“Walking onto the court was electrifying,” she says. “Hearing the crowd cheering their support and calling out my name – it was awesome,” says Loeb, who grew up attending the U.S. Open with her family.

Despite killer 103-mile-an-hour serves Loeb lost the game but learned a lot. “I watched the match after to learn as much as I could about my performance,” she says.

Loeb says tennis is a physical game, but it’s a mental game as well. “You have to be mentally

Role Model

Being a role model means a lot to Loeb. “It’s exciting to help youngsters,” she says. “I can remember looking up to other tennis players, like Federer, and now I get to be the one who just might inspire younger players.”

She’s been such an inspiration, her hometown of Ossining recently declared August 3 Jamie Loeb Day to honor her accomplishments. Ossining’s Mayor, Virginia Gearity, other village officials along with Loeb’s family and friends gathered at Ossining’s Nelson Park Tennis Courts, the same courts where Loeb played with her high school team, for the celebration.

“It was amazing being recognized by the village. How many people have their own day?” says a flabbergasted Loeb.

It’s really meant a lot to Loeb to have so many people care and support her on that day as well as throughout her tennis journey. In true role model spirit, after the ceremony Loeb awed and inspired children from the Ossining Day Camp Program by hitting some balls with them.

Advice for Parents

Perhaps you might have a budding tennis star in your home. We asked Loeb what advice she might have for parents. “Make sure your kid enjoys the game and wants to play for themselves,” she says. Loeb says kids need to have an inner passion, they have to be playing for themselves not their parents. “I’ve seen kids ages 10, 11 and 12 playing hard but then just burning out. Under age 14 you should be playing because you totally enjoy the sport,” she says. Loeb notes that tennis can be tough. “It’s an individual sport, there’s no team behind you and you have to be able to handle the pressure well,” she says.

Loeb says she wasn’t born with her tennis skills. And she can get nervous before matches. But practice matches help prepare her for the big games and it’s all a learning process on how to handle the stress. Believing in yourself helps.

And Now

What does Loeb love about Westchester? “That’s easy, there’s so much to do here,” she says. Loeb who has a close-knit family, enjoys watching her brother coach basketball at the Westchester County Center, shopping and hanging out with family and friends and being part of the local tennis world. “It’s a big county, but a small tennis world, so it can feel like you know everyone,” she says.

Today, Loeb trains at John McEnroe Tennis Academy on Randall’s Island in New York City where she first began her junior tennis career and was named the No. 1 prospect of her class.

In her down time she says she just likes to be with friends, go to the movies, enjoy some retail therapy … the same things most 20-year-olds enjoy.

Going pro also means sponsorships. Loeb is currently wearing outfits by Fila on the court. “The outfits are really comfy and cute,” she says. As for racquets, Loeb changed from her traditional Wilson racquet to a new brand, Solinco, which is known for their excellent strings.

Loeb says it’s very important to stay committed to being healthy and being in great physical condition if she wants to continue improving her game. “It’s part of the job,” says the young pro.

Loeb is very open and easy to speak to – and very modest. What she doesn’t tell you is that all her siblings look up to her and she has the respect of many tennis professionals. She’s basically a hard working, dedicated tennis pro who has big things in store for her. It will be a joy for many to see this hometown girl do great things, which she is certainly destined to do.

Jean Sheff doesn’t play tennis, although she loves to watch the game. Pilates is her favorite form of exercise. She is the editor of Westchester Family

YOUTH TENNIS

Many parents don’t know about the new way tennis is being taught. It used to take years before a kid could actually play the game. The new Youth Tennis program created by USTA (United States Tennis Association) changed all that. Now kids play with four levels of age-appropriate sized balls, racquets, courts and nets so they can actually get a game going between them.

Many local clubs are now teaching Youth Tennis. The following facilities are approved by the USTA as instructors of the Youth Tennis program.