Celebrating Women’s History Month: Tracy Almeda-Singian

In honor of Women’s History Month, USTA Florida proudly highlights Tracy Almeda-Singian, whose journey from junior tennis standout to professional player and tennis leader has left a lasting impact on the sport. She is currently serving a two-year term with the USTA Florida Board of Directors and is devoted to the sport. Her inspiring story is one of dedication, family support, and a deep passion for tennis. 

Tracy’s journey began in New York, where her parents’ love for tennis ignited her own. Watching icons like Steffi Graf and Martina Navratilova on television inspired her to pick up a racket. Her parents enrolled her in lessons, and it didn’t take long for her talent to shine. At just 10 years old, Tracy dominated the 10-and-under division, finishing the year with only one loss and ranking number one in her age group. 

Recognizing her potential, Tracy’s mother researched top tennis coaches, ultimately leading the family to Florida. Tracy first trained at Rick Macci Tennis Academy before earning a scholarship to the prestigious Nick Bollettieri Tennis Academy (today known as IMG Academy). The move proved pivotal, as Florida’s tennis-rich environment provided Tracy with greater court time, stronger competition, and invaluable exposure to global talent. 

“Moving to Florida helped me become that player that I was,” she said. “You get so much more court time, the opportunity to be around kids that are solely focused on tennis, and playing at a high-level.” 

While at Bollettieri’s, Tracy trained alongside future tennis stars like Anna Kournikova and Tommy Haas. Her competitive spirit flourished in this high-performance setting. With her brother and sister also pursuing tennis scholarships, her family became a dedicated support system that embraced the sport together.  

“Our family was always supportive of each other and what we’re trying to accomplish. My siblings pushed me more and were supportive of my tennis beyond practicing on a court.” Tracy said.  

Their support was vital in her success as she competed in many major Florida tournaments such as the Orange Bowl and Eddie Herr Championships. Tracy thrived throughout her junior career, which opened endless opportunities as she became a professional. 

Professional Career and Beyond 

At 18 years old, Tracy turned professional. She faced the difficult decision of going to college programs like UCLA, Stanford, or the University of Florida for a year or two, but she knew if she started college, she would want to finish her degree and all four years. “For me going to college, I wanted to complete it. I wanted to finish it right,” she said. “I decided to go 100% with the Tour and I think I was in a pretty good position at the time, but it wasn’t an easy decision.” 

Tracy felt confident in her ability to break into the sport’s top tier. In 1999 and aged 19, her hard work on the court had paid off as she earned a spot in her first Grand Slam, winning her matches in the US Open Qualifying stage. There, she matched up against the 12th seeded, Barbara Schett, who took her out in the first round. The next year Tracy earned a Wildcard in the US Open, this time matching up against Monica Seles.  

Little did Tracy know that this would be her final career Grand Slam appearance; her career was cut short by a significant elbow injury. However, Tracy’s passion for tennis found new life through coaching and mentorship proving that you can still thrive in the game you love without being on court competing at the highest level. 

She started coaching right after her playing career, getting a start at the Kiwi Tennis Club, in Indian Harbor Beach, Florida. She instantly fell in love with it, putting a smile on her students’ faces and helping them achieve their goals.  

“Coaching is one of the most rewarding things I’ve done,” Tracy said. “Seeing the kids I coached grow up, achieve their goals, and stay connected has been incredibly fulfilling.”  

When coaching, Tracy asks all her players a simple question, “does it bring you joy?” Tracy added that it has to make you happy and feel fulfilled.  

“I tell them that doesn’t mean that you’re not going to go through tough things but ultimately are those rough times helping you reach your goal and bring you joy,” she said. “I try to help these kids understand who they are and to be able to go after your own goals.” 

Her coaching path led her to an exciting opportunity in marketing. A connection made through tennis introduced Tracy to Wilson Sporting Goods, where she started in promotions and thrived building their social media platforms and won an Emmy as a producer. Later, a conversation at a professional tennis tournament led her to Red Bull, helping expand her marketing career beyond the court. 

The Power of Tennis for Women 

Reflecting on her journey, Tracy credits tennis for shaping her resilience, discipline, and professional success. Studies, like those from Ernst & Young, reveal that 94% of women in C-suite positions played sports, with over half competing at the Division I or professional level. Tracy’s path exemplifies this connection between sports and leadership. 

“Tennis has really been the cornerstone of my life,” she said. “Obviously I had a career playing pro tennis and I teach the game now, but in my in my corporate and professional career, tennis has had a massive impact. 

Tracy remains deeply involved in tennis, mentoring young players and supporting initiatives that create more opportunities for women and girls in the sport. She recently has been volunteering with the USTA Florida’s All-Girls Tennis Camps, which she called truly inspiring. “I’ve been so impressed by these young girls and can’t wait to see what they do as women.” 

One woman that inspired her as a child was her mother. “My mom is number one, both my parents sacrificed a lot for my tennis, but she was always driving me and my siblings to every practice and tournament. She had a successful career in fashion, but when she had kids, she was a super dedicated mom” she said. Tracy added that her aunt, grandmother, and many other women in her family helped shape her into the person she is today.  

A standout moment for Tracy was hosting a charity event with Andy Roddick at the Kiwi Tennis Club, raising over half a million dollars for two local children’s charities. The event brought professional tennis to Brevard County for the first time, allowing young players to meet one of their idols. Tracy found immense joy in seeing her students connect with Roddick and witnessing the positive impact on her local community.   

Today, as a USTA Florida Board member, Tracy is committed to advancing tennis in Florida and beyond. Her leadership is driven by a desire to give back to the sport that has enriched her life. Tracy continues to inspire young athletes through her mentorship, coaching, and belief in the power of joy, hard work, and perseverance. 

As we celebrate Women’s History Month, Tracy Almeda-Singian’s journey is a testament to the transformative power of tennis.