HighFIVE: JoJo Kennedy

Colorado's JoJo Kennedy has reached truly rarified air, ranking No. 3 in the country

When she was just eight years old, JoAnna (JoJo) Kennedy was already traveling around the country winning tennis tournaments and being recognized for more than just her game. In 2016, she played in the "Little Mo" tournaments, which feature the youngest and brightest stars in junior tennis. The tournaments are designed to provide outstanding competition at the regional, national, and international level while also encouraging players to develop new friendships, learn good sportsmanship, and most of all, have fun.

The tournament certainly accomplished that for JoJo as she still views the Little Mo as her favorite tournaments. She says, “these were the first tournaments where I got to play people my same age with the regular tennis ball. They also had a bunch of fun activities during the tournament like parades and carnivals.” JoJo also happened to win the 8 and under title at the Little Mo in Palm Springs and followed that up with a victory at the New York event where she was also recognized with the Kindness Award.

Now 17 and entering her senior year at St Mary’s Academy, the Englewood native continues to be just as successful as a player and a person. JoJo is currently ranked No. 3 in the nation in Girl’s 18s – in just her first year! – which puts her in a very small and elite group of Coloradans who have had a top 5 national ranking in the 18s.

Andy Potter, a Colorado tennis legend himself, worked as a coach with JoJo off and on when she was younger and has been one of her primary coaches over the past five years. He says, “JoJo has become one of the top players in the US due to her unbelievable serve, solid returns, and her ability to take the racquet out of her opponent’s hands with her overpowering ground strokes. She is as good a ball striker as I’ve seen, and she has the ability to transition to the net with no hesitation when the opportunity presents itself. She is as competitive as they come and finds ways to dig deep when needed to pull out matches.” 

While JoJo has always been a player to watch, the past few years have really catapulted her to the top of US junior tennis. In the past year, she has traveled to eight states and Canada to play tournaments. JoJo won two USTA Level 2 18s tournaments while still eligible to play 16s. In 2025, her first “true” year in 18s, she has won an ITF (International Tennis Foundation) tournament, made it to the quarterfinals of the Easter Bowl (a USTA Level 1 Tournament played at Indian Wells), and got to the semis of the PTT Stockton (a stop on the UTR Pro Tennis Tournament circuit). With the success that JoJo has had at USTA Level 1 and Level 2 tournaments, she is now focusing on ITF tournaments, with the hope of qualifying for a Junior Grand Slam. 

JoJo says that while she loves winning tournaments at all levels and the confidence that tennis gives her, the thing she loves most is “having friends all over the country”. The Kindness Award she won as an 8-year-old was just the first of many such awards she has received, which include tournament sportsmanship awards at Zonals and a USTA Level 2 tournament as well as the 2021 USTA Colorado Margaret Rogers Phipps Award which recognizes sportsmanship in a girl 14 and under. And, this year, JoJo was the Sportswoman of Colorado honoree for tennis which she says, “meant a lot to be recognized as a leader and hopefully will help inspire young girls to play tennis.”

Those who work with JoJo have always seen these qualities in her. Potter says, “JoJo has been a pleasure to work with as she is kind and friendly to every person she crosses paths with. She is very humble for all the success she has had since a very early age. JoJo is a fantastic kid and is going to continue to be a great role model by the way she goes about everything on and off the court.”

As JoJo gears up for her senior year in high school, she is making sure to soak in everything that goes with that, beyond tennis. “I try to practice early so that I can balance my other interests later in the day. I enjoy hanging out with my friends and family, shopping, baking and listening to music”. Beyond high school, JoJo is already committed to play at Florida State University which she chose for the “coaches, conference, facilities and weather.” Then, hopefully the pro tour.

Potter sees great things ahead for JoJo. He says, “I’m extremely excited to see JoJo’s progress in the future as she has all of the ingredients to become one of the top players in the world if she so desires! Most of these top juniors max out or get burned out once they get to college, but JoJo has all the necessary weapons to keep improving at the next level which, is very scary (for her opponents) and exciting (for her game)!

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