Christine Rorabaugh ready to grow Junior Team Tennis across Oklahoma

The Oklahoma tennis community is excited to welcome Christine Rorabaugh as the new USTA Oklahoma Junior Team Tennis coordinator. With a lifelong connection to the sport and a passion for helping young players grow, Rorabaugh steps into the role eager to expand opportunities and bring more kids into the game through Junior Team Tennis.

Rorabaugh’s roots in tennis run deep. Her grandfather was a longtime tennis professional at Case Tennis Center at LaFortune Park and later at Shadow Mountain Racquet Club. Rorabaugh said she spent a lot of her summers there when she was a kid.

Those early days around the courts helped shape her appreciation for the sport and the community that surrounds it. When her oldest child became eligible for Junior Team Tennis, Rorabaugh was thrilled to discover the program.

“I would have loved this as a kid,” she said.

That firsthand experience as a tennis parent gave her a deep understanding of the program’s impact and potential. When asked what inspired her to take on the role of USTA Oklahoma JTT coordinator, Rorabaugh said “to spread the word and get more kids playing JTT.”

She believes strongly in the program’s ability to help young athletes grow both on and off the court.

“It’s such a great way to build their confidence and get match experience outside of the junior tournaments,” she said.

USTA Oklahoma Junior Team Tennis offers players the opportunity to compete in a supportive coed team setting, giving them valuable match-play experience while keeping the fun front and center. One of Rorabaugh’s favorite aspects of working with junior players is watching them thrive in that team environment.

“I love seeing them in the team aspect of Junior Team Tennis,” she said. “Tennis can be such an individual sport, but playing JTT makes it so fun to cheer for your teammates and have your teammates cheer for you.”

That camaraderie helps players develop resilience, sportsmanship and lasting friendships—all while strengthening their love for the game. For families considering signing up their child for USTA Oklahoma Junior Team Tennis for the first time, Rorabaugh offered enthusiastic encouragement.

“Just do it,” she said. “Your child will learn how match play works and will gain confidence and make friends they’ll see for years down the road.”

Most tennis facilities statewide form Junior Team Tennis squads throughout the year. If you need assistance finding a team, reach out to Rorabaugh at TulsaJTT@gmail.com.

Learn more about Junior Team Tennis by clicking here.